On the Road to Fez, Morocco

We have a big beautiful bus for only 12 people on our tour.  Our excellent driver is Ahmed; his kind right hand man helper is Khalid (pictured). We're on the road to Fez!

It's disappointing when there is a Starbuck's at the OTP (i.e., Opportunity to Pee).

The scenery was spectacular with just a bit of fog on the hills.

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It was surprising how well the photos turned out, taken from a moving bus window

For our lunch stop in Meknes, Kay had chicken brochette. The restaurants where we eat have been cleared for cleanliness and safety.

 

Bob often gets a "burger" whenever he can. This one was huge!

We didn't get to stop in this ancient and sacred town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun on the way to the UNESCO site of Volubilis, but it looked charming from a distance. 

This cell phone tower had at least 11 crane nests on it. A modern rookery. All of the storks were standing on the edge of their nests, although you can't really see them in this photo.

With local guide Ahmed, we toured the UNESCO archaeological site of Volubilis. The recorded history of Morocco begins with the Phoenician colonization of the Moroccan coast between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE, although the area was inhabited by indigenous Berbers for some two thousand years before that. (Basilica and Capitol)

The Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C., became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area. (Another view of the basilica from the capitol steps.)

This stretch of road is called the Decumanus Maximus. It is the biggest and most prestigious thoroughfare in the city and forms a straight line from the Tangier Gate to the Caracalla arch.

The Triumphal Arch of Caracalla.

The House of Columns

It was astounding to see so many original mosaics just sitting in the open. Of course there aren't any elements to cause damage but still.... Ahmed said we were lucky to see them in the homes as they will soon be moved to a museum that is being built.

House of the 12 Labors of Hercules (named for the mosaic).