Wow! Words and pictures don't even come close to revealing the wonders of Gaudi's marks on Barcelona. We have slowly been making our rounds to see some his buildings and monuments around the city. Yesterday it was the Casa Batlló part mansion, part dragon and part pure whimsical joy. Today we visited Park Güell a beautiful terraced public park sprinkled with many Gaudi treasures. It ...
Matthew and RuthIt's Christmas time in Barcelona! Most of our trip has been chasing the early signs of fall as we moved south, but by the time we made it to Marrakech summer had arrived again.Two days ago I was putting on sunscreen and listening to the call to prayer. Now we are surrounded by parka wearing Spaniards doing their Christmas shopping. I think the ...
Our last day here has been pretty low key. Gord, unfortunately has food poisoning; I think it was the date that didn't taste right. He has been laying low with a pussy cat for most of the day. When I asked someone at the hotel what the cat's name was I was told quite clearly that, "the hotel has no cat." Well then who was that purring ...
Hotel Sherazade, Marrakech Marrakech is a city of contrasts where everything comes together. Even within Djemaa El Fna, the main square in the Medina, snake charmers and acrobats share space with VIPs here for the International Film Festival. Apparently Catherine Deneuve and Francis Ford Coppola are among some of the celebs in attendance. We saw Susan Sarandon tonight at an outdoor screening of one of ...
EssaouiraAn update on the Hammam healing:Well my skin is starting to heal. All the sanded pores on my tummy have tiny scabs now- I think that's progress. My hands and fingernails are still quite orange from the henna but at least I'm getting used to it. It is unfortunate it's a shade of orange that clashes with the rest of my skin. My big toes ...
Hotel Riad Nakhla, EssaouiraI am glowing. This afternoon I arranged to meet a local woman for a traditional hammam. Our first stop was at the spice market where she bought cloves, henna, a lemon and other mysterious ingredients. Then we wove through the medina until we reached the Pabst Hammam. A plaque at the entrance announced that Orson Wells frequented this Hammam while he was ...
Hotel Riad Nakhla, Essaouira"Castles made of sand slip into the sea eventually."The locals here will point out a sand covered Kasbah at the end of the beach that they claim inspired Jimi Hendrix to write the song. In reality he released the song before he ever came to Morocco. Unlike the local folklore which makes you assume he practically made Essaouria his home in the ...
Hotel Suerte Loca, Sidi IfniWe came out of the mountains and down to the coastal town of Sidi Ifni, which has only been a part of Morocco since 1969. Prior to that, it was a Spanish enclave. Much of the town was constructed in the 30's and as a result it is full of art deco buildings and a Spanish vibe. Just like the name ...
Hotel Salama, TafraoutThe sun returned today and we had a terrific hike through the Ameln valley. Our first stop was in a village where you could visit a traditional house that is now a museum. After a tour and tea our host insisted he dress me up as a Berber woman. Eventually Gord and Matthew joined in on the fun.
Hotel Salama, TafraoutIt can rain here too and it certainly is right now. The country side around here is mostly bare granite, so when it rains heavily it comes streaming down the mountains. Dry stream beds and roads turn into gushing rivers in minutes. We are on day four of some really rainy weather but fortunately there are periods each day when we can get ...