Tag: Africa
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Morocco, Part 4: Merzouga to Essaouira
Southern Morocco is where we are right now, south of the High Atlas, with the Sahara desert landscape unfolding before us. Rather looking forward to this part of the trip I have to say. I like deserts. Reach our destination late afternoonish and are greeted at the entrance to a Berber encampment: “Assalam Alaikum”. It…
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Morocco, Part 3: Fez to Erfoud
Fez “So now we are going to Fez! Inshallah!” announces our guide. “Inshallah” echo the occupants of the bus. It is a long drive southwards to Fez. Over four hours. But the minibus is comfortable and the regular cheery interjections about the landscape, history, and other things Moroccan hamper any lapses into torpor. I spot…
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Morocco, Part 2: Casablanca to Chefchaouen
Casablanca On the first stage of my Moroccan tour and a three hour drive is planned for today. With seven other travellers ranging in age from forties to eighties, I am being driven in a smart mini bus by the driver, Mohammed, with the guide, who introduces himself as Jesus, though uses his Berber name.…
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Morocco, Part 1: Marrakech
The plane circles over Marrakech. The pilot informs us that Marrakech airport is not expecting us due to being closed for an air-show. He adds cheerfully, almost incidentally: “ We have about ten minutes of fuel left”. He will keep us informed. Nothing like inspiring the passengers to remain composed. Meanwhile lumpy sandy scenery pops…
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Top Travel Spots and Experiences, 2023
Top Spots Thingvellir, Iceland I am biased probably, owing to my affiliation with Iceland, but the great parliament plains are still amongst my top 10 spots anywhere. The flowing river, the grass, the moss, the flowers, the pure white of the church, the ravines and distant volcanos. The history. Picture the scene: every summer for…
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Egypt, Part 2
The Nile Cruise The returnees from Abu Simbel are late. Thus I partake of a placid luncheon, the sole person at the big broad table, and reflect upon my lazy flit around Aswan. But, eventually, noisy people appear, engines start up and the long awaited river cruise begins. Heading north now, we motor between the…
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Egypt, Part 1
Exploring ancient ruins is one of my favourite pastimes. There was a time when I used to take part in archaeological digs and enthuse over an emerging prehistoric wall or a shard of pottery from eons ago ‒ rich rewards for hundreds of hours of scraping in the dirt with a trowel. The fascination with…