Morocco 2017: Monkeys, a White Horse and a Kasbah – The Director’s Cut

Today we will climb into the Middle Atlas Mountains to see wild monkeys, and to a kasbah in Merzouga, at the edge of the Western Sahara.

Morocco 2017: A Tile Factory, a Library and a Souk in Fez – The Director’s Cut

Fez is the second oldest city in the world after Jerusalem. It lays claim to the first psychiatric and surgical hospitals, the oldest university and library (coincidentally, founded by a woman) and the world's 3rd largest mosque.

Morocco 2017: Volubilis – The Director’s Cut

Volubilis was a caravansary for the Berbers and the capital of Mauritania, before becoming an important Roman outpost in the 2nd century BCE. It marked the furthest reach of the Roman Empire into Africa.

Morocco 2017: Fez and Many Broken Things – The Director’s Cut

We arrive in Fez. And then, a series of small unfortunate events starts to occur... Shoe photo courtesy of Brenda Dougal Merriman.

Morocco 2017: The Ethnographic Museum in Chefchaouen – The Director’s Cut

The manorhouse inside the Qasaba is the home of an Ethnographic Museum, displaying traditional Moroccan craft.

Morocco 2017: Chefchaouen – The Director’s Cut

Nearing sunset, a pale blue and white landscape comes into view. It's Chefchaouen, a mountain community built in 1471. Photo credit: Mark Charteris.

Morocco 2017: Rabat – The Director’s Cut

We arrive in Rabat, founded in the 10th century, now the second largest metropolis in Morocco. We drive along the crenelated wall of the Kasbah of the Oudaias and walk through the medina to our riad.

Morocco 2017: Casablanca – The Director’s Cut

Today we visit to the Municipal Building - a miniature version of the Lion Courtyard from the Alhambra (which cracked me up after seeing the original in Granada). Afterwards, Doug took me to a nearby souk where I begin to build my Moroccan wardrobe.

Morocco at last – The Director’s Cut

It has taken me three days to pack,, in preparation for my top-of-bucket list destination. At last, I'm on my way to Morocco.

Across Andalucia: The Albayzin – The Director’s Cut

I find the Great Mosque but cannot enter. There's a fountain in the courtyard and a great view of the Alhambra in the distance. The view must be spectacular at night.