Summer Travels: Fez

Fez is one of the most beautiful cities we encountered in Morocco, but also one of the hottest (!) and one of the most infuriating in terms of pushy merchants.  After a day of endless annoyances, we were forced to hire a guide on the second day to drive away the hagglers.  Luckily, we still enjoyed maneuvering the maze of the medina, and I took hundreds of photos.  Here are my favorites.

The Beautiful Fez Medina Sunlight

No Vehicles Allowed in the Medina!

Intricate Tile Fountain

Paintings for Sale

A Busy Covered Alley

Fascinating Antique Shop

The Dirty Underbelly of Fez (sewage)

An Arched View

The Medina Square

A Packed City Bus

Sign: No Donkeys Allowed

Beautiful Glimpse

Random Mickey Graffiti

Mosque Archways

The Incredible Leather Dying District

Leather Drying

Spice Shop Spices

Graceful Alleyway

Summer Travels: Tangiers

At long last, the first glimpse at my Morocco photos!  After about an hour-long ride on the ferry from Spain across the Med, we landed in Tangiers, and spent two days there wandering the streets in awe of the other-worldliness of North Africa.  Looking through my photos after being home for over 3 months, Morocco looks even more exotic than I remembered...

First Glimpse of Tangiers from the Ferry Parking Lot

One of Many Tangiers Medina Gates or "Babs"

The Blues and Greys of the Medina Streets

Interesting European Style Architecture

Pink and Green Shutters on a Street Corner

Looking Toward Spain

A Boy Runs Along the Medina Wall

Alas, We Never Ate At "Ray Charly"

Our First Mint Tea (one of many)

A Beautiful & Delicious Lunch

Intricate Wood Work

A City Square With Gangly Palm Trees

A Cute Building

Unknown Industrial Work on the Outskirts of the Medina

Rue de La Casbah!

The Medina Wall, With Rugs Airing Out

An Amazing Row of Medina Doors

More Irresistible Doors

A Dramatic Building Facade

A Glimpse Down an Alley

The Boyfriend--Through the Thick Medina Wall, Looking North

A Sprig of Yellow Flowers Adorns a Beautifully Aged Building

Summer Travels: Gibraltar

Dear Readers,

Here are my favorite photos from our relaxing few days in Gibraltar, a country of only 30,000 people!  After weeks of exploring French and Spanish speaking countries, it was wonderfully bizarre to step into a land of English, Irish, and Scottish accents.  Between cooler weather and friendly people, we left feeling refreshed and eager for our upcoming trek through Morocco.

View From a Train Window--From Madrid to Algeciras (en route to Gibraltar)

Funny Office in Algeciras Bus Parking Lot

The Magnificently Gloomy Rock of Gibraltar (with tiny airstrip)

Our Hotel

Picturesque Street Sign

Grand Casemates Gates--Approaching the Old Town

Beautiful Gibraltar Day

British Style Pub Sign

Old Rock Wall, With Red Phone Box

View from the Cable Car Going Up the "Rock"

One of the Many Resident Barbary Macaques (he just finished eating)

A Cute Macaque Family Overlooking the Water

The Breathtaking View From the Top

Water All Around

Buses on a Cargo Ship (on a ferry back to Algeciras)

Our First Beautiful Glimpse of Morocco (by bus)