goneforlong - Tumblr blog

[goneforlong]

CHEFCHAOUEN, the blue city     gone: 60 days

The blue city did not disappoint to deliver. Every nook and cranny of the old medina is worth a shot. The blue paint giving an etheral atmosphere though it needs a touch up once in a while.

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FES Tanneries, Morocco   gone: 58 days

The ancient traditional work of the tanneries requires a good deal of mint to mask the stench. The skins of sheep, cows and camels are soaked in pigeon excrements to remove the hairs. Afterwards they are dyed with natural pigments. It is a harsh job, past through generations. You could only respect the finished product more.

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FEZ Souks, Morocco   gone: 57 days

We visited the huge Fez souks with the help of Mohammed (no kidding!). Plenty of activity in this busy royal city. Sometimes you save the best for last and we definitely did! A complete different atmosphere from the Marrakesh souk. Laid back, gentle people and authentic commerce.

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CANALS and CAMELS, Merzouga, Morocco     gone: 53 days

There used to be an underground irrigation system from the oasis leading into the desert. Nowadays groundwater level has dropped making the whole system redundant. The same applies for the cargo transporting camels - 52 days to Timbuktu! - now used for trips during sunset or sunrise.

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ERFOUD, Fossiles     gone: 52 days

Erfoud is fossile region number ONE in Morocco. We were amazed by the large nautilus shells, trilobites, sealilies, ammonites and sand roses... in nature, museum and shops.   We could have use some specialist help there though!

#Morocco #erfoud #fossiles #vanlife #exploringmorocco #camperliving

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MERZOUGA, Morocco    gone: 50 days

Merzouga is a stretch of sand dunes in the Sahara region of Morocco. Though it is only about 30km long it makes for a real bedouin feeling. You can cross it by camel or jeep. The sandstorm warning sign proved to be essential!

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KASBAH AMIDRIL, Morocco    gone: 47 days

This Kasbah is one of the nicest in Morocco. Entrance however is a bit tricky due to the fierce competition by the double entry. We opted for the left one with lots of staircases, terraces and kitchens. Overall a nice setting not to be missed!

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MARKET DAY, Morocco     gone: 46 days

Exploring Morocco involves local shopping and markets are essential for fresh produce. Oranges and onions arrive per lorry. Beef and meat section is not for the fainthearted. 

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AMERZOU, near Zagora     gone: 46 days

Amerzou is a quiet palm oasis near the Sahara desert. Life goes here in a slow pace. We walked the lush fields with the 50m deep water wells. It used to be a stop for the camel caravans coming from Timboektoe (Mali). Nowadays you meet the locals, women clad in black and men with colourful headscarfs. Both a protection for the Sahara sand.

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TELOUET Palace, Morocco     gone:  43 days

We crossed the High Atlas via the Ticha pass and stopped in Telouet to visit the kasbah, a fortified castle non descript from the outside. Downstairs are stables for cattle but once you have reached the first floor it has the allure of a real palace. The rooftop terrace provides a mountainrange view

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ESSAOUIRA, Morocco    gone: 40 days

Essaouira is the second most visited town in Morocco. It is a coastal town, located on a peninsula, the old Medina being Unesco World Heritage and features a lot of shops, restaurants, riads. We visited the old synagogue Haim Pinto in the old jewish quarter

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END OF THE ROAD, Mirleft, Morocco    gone: 34 days

Near Mirleft town we ended up on this stretch of road, litterally “the end of the road”. It ended in a seriously dried out wadi or riverbed.

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TAFRAOUTE, Morocco   gone : 32 days

The desert town of Tafraoute is mostly visited for the Rochers Peints by Jean Veran, a belgian artist who took pleasure in painting the giant boulders in the valley.  There was a lovely campsite Les trois palmiers with their own mechanic who popped in in his Renault 4 , le scorpion du desert

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TINMEL Mosque, Morocco     gone: 29 days

On our way to the Tizni Test pass through the High Atlas moutain range you pass a small sign for this marvelous shrine. You ask the local coffeeshop keeper for the key to open the door to this renovated open air museum and take your time since you are alone

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LA COLLINE DES POTIERS, Safi      gone : 28 days

Safi is a small village where pottery is the main source of income. All kinds of ceramics are produced in little workshops with wood fired ovens. 

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HASSAN II MOSQUE, Cassablanca     gone: 25 days

This mosque is the second largest in the world, next to Mekka and one of the few that can partly be visited by the general public. Its clean upward lines, cool marble and geometrical decorations never cease  to impress.

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CISTERNE PORTUGAISE, El Jandia, Morocco   gone: 26 days

The underground cistern in El Jadida was the water supply reserve for this 17th century walled city. A beautifully preserved exemple of craftmanship and practicality. Through the huge ventilation hole in the roof we catched the perfect sunbeam (around noon in winter).