Home again, finally.

Yes, the world traveler and continent wanderer is back home and loving it. Here's a few shots of the house and yard. It's funny, after I am home for awhile I want to catch the next plane to anywhere and after a few months on the road I want to be home...

Marrakech

Marrakech started out as an outpost for desert caravans over 1,000 years ago, a caravanserai.  Now a modern city, re-discovered in the Sixties by hippies and the Rolling Stones, Beattles and Led Zeppelin.   More recently discovered by the French fashion industry and now a popular tourist destination. Lots to see and do, with the Djemaa el-Fna square and souqs, the shopping areas, as the logical starting point.

Hotel Moroccan House, the best hotel on the trip.

Three stars.

My room.

What can I say?

The pool, very nice.

12th century Koutoubia Mosque.

Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech's main square and activity center.

Modern train station.  I took the train to Casablanca.

Gas station.

Blue doors.

The Moroccan flag.

Sunset over Marrakech.

Stop.

Essaouira, a beach town!

After the mountains, the town of Essaouira was a great place to spend a couple days.

Old walled seafront town.

Ramparts of the Skala du Port.

Cannons lined up along the wall.

Blue boats in the harbor.

Seagull. 

The wide, sweeping beach at Essaouira.

The beach.

The water.

A square, or plaza, in the old walled city.

Another plaza from our restaurant terrace.

Blue sky and white washed buildings.

Colorfuls signs.

Sunset over the Atlantic.

Wow, what a great way to end the day.

Todra Gorge

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the Todra Gorge is an awesome place to rest and relax. We stayed at the laid back Hotel Amazir.  Nice rooms, a pool and a relaxing terrace to watch the sunsets.

The towering walls of the gorge.

Playing in the creek.

 

Our driver, our Intrepid guide and a local guide.

Aziz, our guide, was from this area and knew everyone!

Our hotel across the valley.

The terrace and pool.

The dining room.

Lynley, Pauline & Christine.

Christine relaxing with a good book.

Fields in the valley.

The valley.

The town at the base of the gorge.

The eyes are watching three kids on a rock.

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Ait Benhaddou is a famous kasbah town that has been featured in dozens of films, including Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Jewel of the Nile and Lawrence of Arabia.  A beautiful valley and well preserved kasbah.  And a very entertaining guest house host, "Action!"  He has appeared as an extra in many films.

The Kasbah.

Simone unloading gear at our Guest Lodge.

"Action!" pouring our tea.

Christine.

Ann & Tony, the awesome Aussie couple.

Aziz, our guide, and Simone.

Art gallery sign.

Trail to the top of the kasbah.

View from the top.

More views, with the setting sun and cloudy skies.

A band of Berber warriors on horseback (for a movie).

A land of beautful contrasts.

Blue skies, purple mountians, sandy mud homes and green valleys.