In transit at the moment, on our way home after our epic European and North African adventure. Drove over 12000 Ks in Europe alone, trained to France Flew to Morocco and trained all around flew back to Switzerland and now on route home. Only a couple of things we would do different, and only small things. All in all a very successful and memorable trip. May have to go home for a rest.

Gidday all,

Took the train from Fez to Rabat, booked into the Ibis next to the station and relaxed for a while. Had to find a bigger suitcase, so found a cab driver who spoke some English and asked him to take us to the shops. He said the ones around here were too expensive, so for 50 dirum he would take us to better ones. So off we went, he even got out and guided us to the right ones. So got a new suitcase for $40 au and taken back to hotel, gave him 200 dirum for his trouble, about $20.

The people in Morocco are so friendly and willing to help, well most are, and after you get the idea of how things are done, it’s a great place to travel around in. Din and I agree Fez was the highlight for us. The Madinas are unforgettable, the sights, the smells, the sounds.

Spent the last night back in Casablanca, by the beach, in a 4 star hotel, flew out on Wednesday with Royal Air Moroc. Now back in Switzerland, will say bye to Sandy in the next couple of days and fly out for Abu Dhabi on the 6^th.

                                                   on the balcony of our Casablanca hotel by the beach

                                                                            Casablanca beach

                                                                                  Casablanca suburb

                                                                                lighthouse on the point

                                                                                    some of the locals
             

Lights at twilight

Gidday all,

From Marrakech through Casablanca and on to Fez. As we approached Fez station a man came and sat next to Din, he spoke English and they started talking, he invited us to visit the tannery in the madina. He was the head of the set up so he said, cut a long story short, he said to write our names on a piece of paper and he would send someone to pick us up in the morning to take us there, no cost and no obligation to pay anything. With our suspicions we obliged.

Next day we were picked up and taken to the marina as promised, another trip of sensory overload. What an amazing day, another if not better classic Moroccan experience. Spices, brass, clay, wood carvings, leatherwork, rugs. We wandered about with our guide and after a bit of haggling ended up buying some leatherwork, must give it to him for his business head and salesmanship cause he got some dollars out of us, which was his plan all along, but not complaining, well worth it.

Oh and also bought a rug, silk and wool weave. Now we just have to find a bigger suitcase to fit it all in.  

                                                  some of the wares of the Fez madina

                                                     more goodies everywhere you look

                                                     one of the entrances to the marina

                                                         view from the roof of the tannery

                                             century old vats where they process the hides

                                                             donkey load of hides

                                                                        more vats

                                                       ornately decorated buildings

                                                          rugs in the carpet house

                                                                          century old building