The Atlas Mountains

For me the next three days were a new adventure as we left Fes to explore the Atlas Mountains.  A short drive from Fes is the town of Ifrane which very different from other areas in Morocco. It looks like something out of a Mountain Village Resort in the Alps.  It was certainly different than other visits as blossoms were just coming out and the temperature felt like home, not Africa - it was chilly!

The journey took us by lots of farms and orchards until we arrived at our new hotel in Azrou.  Beautiful hotel with amazing features - the indoor pool was gigantic and hot. Of course the outdoor pool was not ready for use as it was not warm but lots of blossoming fruit trees were around.  We were the only ones in the restaurant which was a delicious 3 course meal!

While some of us simply enjoyed the setting, others headed off for a walk in the cedar forest and a visit with some Barbary Apes.

Time to journey through more of the mid Atlas  Mountains.  More agriculture and mountains.  We passed through many cities, some quite large, enjoyed coffee in a local coffee shop and continued to our lunch  location.

The spring flowers have certainly made the drives interesting and colorful.  Lots of red poppies but never when we stopped.

Lunch that day would be at a farmer’s home. Before being treated to more delicious food, we had a lesson on proper tea making, not a slow process but a very critical part of the culture.

Stuffed bread - delicious!

Lamb tagine

Pretty cute

Oranges are in abundance in the area and they are so sweet and juicy! The drive was long and at long last we were climbing through a series of switchbacks up the mountain and down again until we passed one of Morocco’s dams, Bin el Ouidane.  Our destination had been reached and our mouths dropped as we viewed our feature stay from the outside and inside.

We had a lovely 2 nights in this beautiful resort.  Despite it being quite isolated , many people have found this little piece of paradise.  The boat ride was a pleasant experience with cooperating weather, the pool a tad cold and the rooms, buildings and surroundings outstanding.  Lunch at a small family restaurant was again way too much to eat.

Very noisy at night

Not sure music from the titanic is the best way to start a boat ride

Local fisherman

You see these on many mountains - God Country King

Although it was tough to leave this location, we continued  our journey to Marrakech.  First stop, a local market.  This was a nomad market that moves to different cities each day.  It was huge with everything - furniture, clothing, home supplies, food - you name it and I am sure you could find it there.

Continuing on and we stopped at Morocco’s famous falls, Ouzourd Falls.  Due to drought conditions in the past, the falls were not great.  Rain this spring has made  them a beautiful sight. The apes around added to the experience.

And then the final part of the journey taking us through very different landscapes.  A highlight -  the distant High Atlas Mountains topped in snow.   Marrakech at last!