WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Saturday 9 July 2016

Fes - Morocco

Our roadtrip Safari, from Beja  to Fes. Morocco.  
  We set off on our way at 6.30am. A good time to start.   Traveling through the border of  Beja Portugal to Spain.  We stopped for lunch at a great restaurant my son often goes to when here at the farm. He meets up with old school friends there.. its an event they do every 3 years.   Amazing, how within a couple of hours, habits and customs change. Its always great to say hello to our hospitable neighbors and savor their lovely food.
After lunch , we were on our way.  Destination Gibraltar.  We arrived on the rock and in our Hotel at 7.30pm.. A lovely drive.. We watched a couple of films on the way, so that Max, wouldn't get too bored.
  Gibraltar.
                                          Gibraltar.   The Rock.. so very different now, than when I was there over 30 years ago. (photo from web)
                            on the ferry.. we dick roll a little.. but i took this through the ferry window.. of the straits.. with Morocco in the distance.
                            Tangiers.  (photo web)- We were last in Tangiers in 1994.. Sailed there on our yacht. "Scally".. from  Cascais Portugal to Tangiers.. Such a change also in Tangiers.. Ultra modern buildings, international brand shops.. I do like Tangiers.

Entrance hall of our Riad.. within the Medina walls of Fes.  Like a page out of  a fairy tale book. 

The collages are in no particular order.   Mixed with our gorgeous Hotel.. to the alleyways nearly 1000 of them . It would take years to get to know them all.
Moroccan architecture at its best.  The Kings Palace.. one of the entrances to the Medina.. the other to the Market place.  Our Riad.. Donkey's carrying stones for floor coverings..   Mosaic craftsmanship second to none.  Berber arches and design.  
 We walked the Medina, till our legs were dropping.   Coming upon little workshops , where craftsmen are sitting daily, producing the most ornate woodwork pieces.. of furniture ... We drank  Na Na tea that quenched our thirst.  As the late afternoon drew close, we returned to the hotel.  The next day to set out on a private guided tour.. just myself ,my DIL and my grandaughter..  We visited the most amazing pottery factory.
If any of you know Portugal, you will know, that we produce the most beautiful pottery.. This trade, was brought here during the Moors occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.    I could relate to many of their designs.

Fes...  The history of Fes is so  very interesting. Its a Berber city.. one of the first tribes there were the Miknasa tribe.. they lived in caves, absolutely fascinating.  I was reading up about them, well into the night.
During the Iberian Inquisition.. many Jews settled in Fes.  Also many arrived there in the early 1930's just before the war.. They have the finest of jewelry shops one could ever see.. living peaceful lives as Moroccan Jews.

  No high rise buildings whatsoever.   Its still the same as it was thousands of years ago... (that is.. within the Medina) . One had to walk sideways in the alleys to let the other people pass.  The people are friendly warm and welcoming.
We were delighted to also see, that there is no child labor .. the children must attend school.. that was so good to know and see.   Many women, work in the tile factories and the hotels.  
The university of Fes.. Al Quaraouryine-  was founded in 859.. the oldest University in the world, and still functioning.
Fes, is the second oldest city in Afica and the oldest city of Morocco... two reasons why we wanted to visit.. and my son wanted to see the University.. many foreign students there too.

We ate the most delicious food.. I myself think Moroccan cusine .. the tastiest I have ever eaten.
The food was so excellent in our Hotel, we didnt have to go out.. it was first class.

I hope you enjoy just reading a little of our trip to Fes.. Morocco Is a very fast moving African country that is a pleasure to visit.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend.

Val

13 comments:

  1. Dear Val, Thank you for this post. We love Morocco. We love the friendly people, the fantastic food, the fine accommodations and the exotic way of life. I would be there in a heart beat if we didn't have to fly to get there.
    How wonderful it is that you can make the journey by car.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Gina,
      I think that I could live there.. near the sea..
      It is indeed an exotic way of life.. I met an English lady, that lives there.. within the walls of the Medina of Fes..
      One could make it in a day to Tangiers ...but that would be driving non stop. Wasnt too impressed with Gibraltar..
      Next time we will stay in a nice little village just before Tarifa. thanks for passing by.. nice to see you.
      xxx

      Delete
  2. Thank you for that visit to such an exotic place, Val. That part of the world has always seemed the most exotic/interesting. It was lovely to have a glimpse of it through your camera lens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello dear Pondside.. pleased you enjoyed my post.. Morocco is a very wonderful country and has a lot to offer . Its food, Its people, Its history, so much.
      I have just left a comment on your blog.. !! stay strong..
      xxx val..xx

      Delete
  3. Dear Val - I always think how incredible it is that Morocco is such a short plane journey away, and yet it is like entering a completely different world. Love the architecture, the food, and the exotic nature of the place.
    So pleased that you had a wonderful time with your family there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its a most magical world .. It brought back memories of my visits with my parents to Cairo ..Alexandria.. Fascinating.
      I do believe, that I am totally in love with Moroccan food.
      I was with my eldest son..
      It was a trip to remember.. hoping we make another one.
      Thank you Rosemary..
      xx Val

      Delete
  4. I enjoyed your pictures from Morocco, what a fantastic trip, Val! I've heard Moroccan food is delicious. I love that picture of all the candles, it's hazy and so pretty. I'd love to visit that pottery factory, how interesting.

    You're so lucky to have taken a trip to Morocco, Val. This is a trip to remember for sure.

    love, ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello dear Sheri

      Thanks for your lovely comment..
      I do like Morocco... hope to return again next year.
      Its not far from us.
      The pottery factory, indeed was very interesting.
      xx

      Delete
  5. Lovely to see your posts again Val.
    A very interesting place. Love all of your photos, especially the architecture. Glad you enjoyed the food so much in the company of your son.
    Keep cool while I try to keep warm:)
    Betty ox


    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful and exotic place, Val, and amazing that you can drive there so quickly. Everything looks so beautiful - the architecture, the mosaics, everything, and Moroccan food is delicious. It is wonderful you can go there by car and ferry. Only yesterday I was googling for a picture of the Rock of Gibraltar, and found the same one! There are some art photographs Gibraltar on display in our art gallery currently. Thank you for visiting my blog, dear Val. xox

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fabulous trip. It's always such a treat when I get to see photos of a place I will never get to see in person. And I love the information you shared. I'll go back and look at your photos again and dream! Sweet hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Val
    What a wonderful trip you had, everything is so colourful and interesting. Lucky you living so near to experience all this - I am envious. Glad you enjoyed it all.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It does look and sound such a different world. It must have been fascinating to experience all the differences. I enjoyed seeing it through your eyes. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete

comments will be published after approval