Onthe Road from Fes

The desert blooms in valleys under the Atlas Mountains

Leaving Fes we begin a long day’s trek south, arriving at our desert oasis nearly 12 hours later. But first our bus climbs the gentle slopes of the Middle Atlas mountains, arriving at Ifran, the Switzerland of Morocco. Aptly named, it is chilly here and the building architecture has me searching for leiderhosen!

Hmm, this next photo subject to tyranny worse than autocorrect, wrong bird! A type of egret, not ibis, come to roost in a town park…

Karen, trying out for her next career as a tea pourer.

A ways down the road, and just like that it’s lunch time, halal meats only in this set resembling a western town…

Snow caps the peaks of the High Atlas mountains off in the distance…

Vegtable tagine, kefta skewers, lamb and beef grilled to near perfection (still working on that medium-rare instruction)…

Further naps ensue, with ocassional calls of ‘wakey-wakey’ to view the verdant valleys below…most of Morocco’s medjool dates arise from this region…

Have we been transported to the southwest?

As a special treat we stop in our guide Ibrahim’s village to share tea with his mom.

Further along a birthday celebration is in the offing for Rob as we pickup up turbans in prep for tomorrow’s camel journey into the desert for an overnight….

Rob and Di in full Berber dress. Surprise awaits…

Do you say ‘giddyup’ to a camel?

A bit further we call it for night, luckily an oasis beacons… Ron photobombed by Sayed, our driver….

Poolside, Karen’s essential beverage is served….

Dinner is served ar a reasonable 8PM, more wine is poured…

Tonight we rest, comfy beds and hot showers. Tomorrow’s journey anticipated by all.