1/10/2014 - Fes to Erfoud

This was our longest bus ride for the entire Moroccan adventure - about 9 hours from Res to Erfoud. We drove across the Middle Atlas mountain range, bordered by pine groves & giant cedars. As a testament to the variety of landscapes in Morocco, we did a quick pit stop in Ifrane, built by the French in 1929, which actually slightly resembled a Swiss town with its architecture and mountain resort. The centerpiece sculpture in the park is the village stone lion, carved by an Italian soldier during World War II, as a testament to the last lion that lived in Morocco.

Our next stop was a semi-nomad village in the middle of nowhere. There were 2 absolutely adorable children who looked as if they could be twins, along with 3 women who were tending the tent while the men were out herding the goats.

Lunch was at the Kasbah Asmaa in Midelt, a major fruit-growing area for apples, walnuts, apricots & plums. We had an incredible meal of trout, fresh vegetables & fruit - and of course, the everpresent, delicious homemade bread (which is responsible for most of my weight gain this trip).

Photos & panoramic of the oasis - land of the date palms.

We finally arrive at our hotel, Belere Erfoud, just after darkness fell - making it very difficult to find our rooms among the maze of passageways between landscaped plantings of shrubs & trees. All along this trip we have encountered cat after cat after cat. (Those of you who know me well, know I cannot stand cats). I do believe the cat at this hotel had a death wish, because for some reason it continued to follow me around, constantly mewling in a high-pitched whine.  I couldn't believe it when I went to put my luggage out the next morning at 7 AM & there it was again, mewling like there was no tomorrow.  (Like I said, it definitely was close to losing one of its 9 lives).