Fes to Erfoud

 

A very long driving day today. Starts off with the drama on the bus with who will change places left side 2 move forward 2 rows, right side back 2 rows, unless of course you choose to ignore this pattern then a little chaos for some humour.

Started off with a very early morning departure from Fes with a 7:30AM departure. We are trying to get to our next destination for those that are staying in tents in the desert tonight will be there before sunset. We have chosen not to do this, we did it 10 years ago and loved it, but it is not cheap $300 USD for the night and we already have paid for our hotel so chose a pass on this one.

First stop today is Ifran, the French Alps of Morocco. We remember stopping here last time through Morocco, but unfortunately just use the outside road that surrounds the city so really don't see much except a clean bathroom break.

We drive through apple orchards through Midelt and on to a rest stop where we had a picnic. It was nice sitting outside in the sun and just visiting with others. 

 We then made our way to Erfoud where those of us that are spending the night not in the camps are in a nice hotel. There are 11 going on to the tents, it will be a chilly night there. Before supper 6 of us walked into town. Did not see another tourist, lots of kids saying hello, we ended up with lots of them following us around. Walked around lots of little shops, so many dates for sale here. A couple of vendors followed us for a while, but they really aren't aggressive. It was a great walk after spending most of the day on the bus, we were out walking for about 2 hours, it was with 4 people we hadn't spent a lot of time with yet so fun to hear other peoples stories. Back to the hotel and it is really chilly, the dining room had a wood fire going which was nice. Off to bed early in a cold room, how can pretty much sitting in a bus and napping all day make us so tired?

In Ifran, French Alps Resort

too early but tempting

There used to be lions in the north of Africa

I've grown taller since I got here

Snow fence but no snow, there should be lots here

Our bus driver dealing with the police, speeding ticket

Midelt is know for apples

God, Homeland, King

No school this week

Our guide explaining where we have been and going.  This is at a hotel for a comfort stop and coffee

Cedar grows here

The rivers are dry

At a lookout

The dams are at record low levels

Water tower

Cement soccer field, usually just dirt

Date oasis. 

A fire a few years ago

Gaots

Sand fence

The pool at our hotel

The hotel entrance

Off to explore Erfoud and the market

Off to pray at the mosque

Back at the hotel

At the restaurant. We got to order a la carte tonight.

Wendy had chicken with preserved lemon tagine and I had the mince meat with tomato sauce and egg tagine