Tag: Ouirgane

A Driving Holiday In Morocco, 7 to 21 November 1997, Placeholder & Links

Our sole navigation device – which might be described as a “map nav”

Janie and I had a superb action and fun packed driving holiday in Morocco in the autumn of 1997.

I have now written this up from my travel logs as part of my “25 years on” series. You can start by clicking here or below if you like reading forwards:

Driving Holiday In Morocco Day One: Fes (aka Fez), 8 November 1997

Alternatively, if you like reading stories backwards, you can start with the ending here or below:

Driving Holiday In Morocco Days Thirteen & Fourteen: Relaxing In Marrakesh, Including Premature False Start To Our Journey Home, 20 & 21 November 1997

For enthusiasts of highly summarised words and pictures, the itinerary is shown below, followed by links to the photo albums, which contain over 200 items of eye candy, such as this one:

Below is a scan of the itinerary, which we arranged through Steppes East:

Below are the two photo albums (just over 100 photos each) on Flickr:

001 8 November 1997 - Only mules and pedestrians allowed in these Fes streets M_J1_Photo (2)
048 Palace de la Bahia - we had to leave out lots of good shots too M_J6_Photo (33)

Driving Holiday In Morocco Day Ten: Ouirgane To Marrakesh Via Essaouira, 17 November 1997

Set out very early for Essaouira – Janie did all the driving because I’m a cripple – via Marrakesh, where my directions were spot on, but the traffic cop didn’t want to know!

The reference to me being a cripple is to do with the fight I (especially my foot/ankle had with a marble bathroom floor the day before, which the marble won on points. I cannot remember the traffic cop incident but we both remember Essaouira very fondly.

Essaouira was very pretty – we went into the craft shop area – bought some wood pieces – then went to see Villa Maroc – (stunning) and main harbour squares (Orson Welles!) Etc

Then Chez Sam at end of harbour for a fabulous seabass lunch…

…then back to Marrakesh – said goodbye to Noddy, the Renault 9.

Checked into Le Tichka & had a restful evening, including super Moroccan meal at hotel Johara restaurant (Janie had chicken tajine, me – brochettes).

All the photos from the second part of our journey are on this Flickr album – click here or below:

048 Palace de la Bahia - we had to leave out lots of good shots too M_J6_Photo (33)

A placeholder and links for information about this whole trip can be found here and below.

A Driving Holiday In Morocco, 7 to 21 November 1997, Placeholder & Links

Driving Holiday In Morocco Day Nine: Lazy Day In To Ouirgane At La Roseraie, 16 November 1997

Me reading Harry Thompson’s biography of Peter Cook

Lazy day at La Roseraie – interrupted by my tumble in marble bathroom. Nevertheless, sat out all day by quiet, small, pool…

That ligament-twisted foot went rainbow colours when I dangled it in the pool

“Luncheon is served, m’lady”

…and then “our” garden after light lunch.

“Would you care to retire to the garden after luncheon, m’lady?”

Had massages in early evening and again an early dinner and early night. With a view to Smart start tomorrow.

All the photos from the second part of our journey are on this Flickr album – click here or below:

048 Palace de la Bahia - we had to leave out lots of good shots too M_J6_Photo (33)

A placeholder and links for information about this whole trip can be found here and below.

A Driving Holiday In Morocco, 7 to 21 November 1997, Placeholder & Links

Driving Holiday In Morocco Day Eight: Taroudant To Ouirgane Via Tizi-n-Test Pass, 15 November 1997

Set out quite early for La Roseraie. Mostly stunning drive-through Tizi-n-Test pass – many stops to take photos etc – long drive.

Arrived [at La Roseraie] in time for late lunch and look around – arranged a serviced hamam. For late afternoon. And then dinner and early night.

All the photos from the second part of our journey are on this Flickr album – click here or below:

048 Palace de la Bahia - we had to leave out lots of good shots too M_J6_Photo (33)

A placeholder and links for information about this whole trip can be found here and below.

A Driving Holiday In Morocco, 7 to 21 November 1997, Placeholder & Links