Desert to Mountains to Gardens.

3-28-14 FES, MOROCCO: Back to Africa. The sunrise is early in the desert, the wind was blowing harder and moving more sand and the sun was dimly showing over Algeria before we noticed it. After breakfast, we were back n the 4x4’s driving through the blowing sand that hid the road in a few spots, and rendezvoused with the bus at a different Xaluca Hotel. Xaluca also runs the tent city.


Pre-dawn with the waning crescent Moon and Venus [to the right and above the Moon] showing against the tent silhouettes.

Wind blown sun watchers.

Dim Sun.

The bus headed north through the Oases du Ziz. Leaving the desert behind us and heading back to the Atlas Mountains, the Middle Atlas on this route. There was a brief stop at Zoula overlooking a date orchard. Another stop at Er Rachidia, and a third at the Tunnel du Légionnaire before lunch in Midelt. The road climbed into the mountains, but there were not so many switchbacks and not so much geologic deformity as there was on our previous crossing. Both the roads through the mountains were built by the French to facilitate their control over the country.


Date orchard and weathering sandstone.

More sandstone.

Tunnel above the river,

Lunch at Midelt.

After lunch we descended from the pass and the vegetation began to return. First there were forests of Live Oak and Cedar, and then grassy plains with lots of sheep. We also saw lots of volcanic rock, basalt, weathered in place. The Ifrane Nature Preserve is a Cedar Forest with monkeys that eat the cedar cones. Tree poaching is a major issue. We had a short talk from a local friend of Andrew’s at the Preserve.


Cedar and Live Oak forests.

Basalt outcrops.

Lots of Sheep.

Cedar and monkey.

Ifran Park monkey getting a treat and picture.

Did mention it was now rainy and foggy? The Cedars seem pleased.

The final push to Fes took us through the city of Ifrane. It’s a prosperous, modern looking place with a private university. Fesians use Ifrane as a weekend getaway for golf and skiing. Finally Fes and the Palais Jamaï and dinner at the gorgeous hotel.


The usual tea service upon arrival.

The pool and medina from our hotel room terrace.