Weekend delights: Apples and Friends!

This weekend I headed back home with three of my friends for some outdoor fun and some indoor relaxation! On the menu….. apple picking and some good old pie baking!

Saturday was a bit of a grey, wet day but that didn’t stop us from doing the usual round about. First stop, a farmers kiosque that sells products from the garden and home-made baked goods. 

Second stop, the orchard. 

It’s a bit late in the season, but we were able to pick some delicious Macintosh apples and some juicy pears!

After our fun in the cool September drizzle, it’s straight home to bake up some delicious pies and some sweet apple sauce! Yum

Agadir: Sun, Beach and Fish!

From Marrakech we head west and south bound to the beautiful touristic ocean-side city of Agadir.

The road to destination is dry and winding.

 

The mountain sides show layers if rock eroded by the years.
 

Every once in a while you can find the tiniest village snuggled in the hillside.

Agadir is a hot spot for both Morrocan and Europeen touriste but since we were there at the beginning of October, we had the beach almost to our selves! 

October for the beach? Actually, at the beginning of October, the weather is still nice and hot and the water is still perfect for swimming!

The slogan for Morocco: God, the people and the king are written in the hill side and illuminated at night-time. It’s really impressive and gives the city a real mystic feeling.  

Hidden behind the expensive hotels and the fancy restaurants is a snack spot known only by the locals.  Grilled or fried, the daily catch is served up for a super low price that is controlled by the city. This way, the locals can also enjoy some fresh fish goodness without paying the high prices brought on by tourism. 

There are about 25 little restaurants to chose from. You just pick a spot, sit down at the long picnic tables and enjoy!

The fried fish platter is at the controlled price of 34 Moroccan Dihrams, so about 4 Canadian dollars.

After a good nights sleep (from the fresh salty air), nothing like enjoying an almost deserted beach.

The sunset onto the Atlantic ocean is truly a picture perfect setting!

In the Heart of Fes ... Part 2

So we’re back in the Fes medina! 

It’s narrow windings streets make it a great place to get lost for the afternoon. 

Fes is known for it’s authentic leather tanneries. Men work the skins in these big clay basins under a burning sun. Everything is done by hand, the same way it has been for hundreds of years. 

Along with Marrakech, Fes is the heart of Moroccan artisan work. Here you can still find artisans who carry on the precious traditions of crafting objects.
 

The old fortifications hug the city and give the scenery a lot of charm.

Is anyone hungry of a little street snack?

Fes holds one of the king’s Royal Palaces. 

These are probably some of the most luxurious doors I have seen in all of Morocco.  

That’s it for Fes. Next stop… Agadir!

In the Heart of Fes ... Part 1

Hello to all of you! A few weeks ago a got back from yet another trip to Morocco. I’ve been very busy lately so I haven’t had a chance to share my souvenirs with you.

Here is a little journey to Fes… the beautiful Imperial City!

We arrive in Fes and head straight for the old medina. What a storybook scene! If anything, the old medina of Fes truly makes you feel like you have fallen back in time.

What better place to relax then on a fabulous rooftop terrace overlooking the old city.

A chicken tajine with freshly squeezed orange juice …

Hmmm… I think I’ll have the chicken and almond pastilla with mint tea instead!

As you are walking through the narrow dingy alleys where everything looks one millon years old and abbondoned,  don’t be fooled for behind closed doors are hidden amazing homes waiting to be discovered. Fes has many guest houses which they call Riads.

You would never expect what’s inside: fountains, mosaics, an interior courtyard, a rooftop terrace. What a perfect place to unpack our suitcases for a couple of days as we discover Fes.

We got the best room, on the last floor, overlooking the rooftop terrace.  Believe me, the daily hick up the millions of steep stairs were well worth it!

The early bird get the worm… 

or an incredible view of the sunrise over the old medina.

More of incredible Fes to come in Part 2!

Stay tuned for more!