Off again, this time to an archaeological site, the World Heritage listing of Volubilis, one of the Roman empire’s remote bases. Well preserved mosaics Beautiful countryside surrounds the ancient ruins.

A morning tour of Meknes and then a stop at the old median. The winding narrow lanes house shops and homes. We stop for lunch and our group of twelve is divided into 2, each going into small restaurants on either side of the lane, with room for 1 table. Behind a curtain, but open to the lane our chef prepares camel burgers. Not something I really wanted to eat but willing to give it a taste. The burgers were well presented and spiced but the group was mixed about how enjoyable it was.

This man cooks in a space the size of a small closet, cooking over a

hot fire.

Narrow pathways crowded with people shopping So many tempting delights!

We meet up with our group and start our tour with a city tour and another trip to the Hassan II Mosque only this time we’re allowed inside this magnificent building. It took 7 years to build with craftsman and artisans working round the clock. It’s the largest mosque in Morocco and has the highest minaret in the world.

It’s the photo, it doesn’t lean!

Beautiful sights around the mosque. After we climb aboard our mini bus and head to Rabat, the country’s capital and got to get to know our fellow travelers. After lunch at an outdoor cafe we go to an area called Chellah and visit the remains of the citadel. It’s a lovely walk through gardens with fabulous views of Roman ruins that fell during the Portuguese earthquake.

We explore the walled area known as the Kasbah does Oudaias before heading to Meknes.

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Having heard a lot about the Moroccan Hammam experience we were eager to give it a try. We stepped into the Hammam and after choosing our ‘package’ headed upstairs to the women’s area. We were even given a basket containing black soap, a kessa mitt, and a soft loofah. After undressing (no time for modesty here) we were lead into a steamy room with tables and a long trough of water where several women were bathing. With some hand signals and commands our attendants took our soap and began to rub us all over with the black soap, from there we were signaled to go into a very steamy room and sit. We emerged from our sauna and were then scrubbed with the kessa mitt until a layer or 2 of skin had been removed and we were baby soft. After being hosed off we each got on a table covered in plastic and were coated in a seaweed mixture, wrapped up in a cocoon and left for about 20 minutes. Then came another hosing and then off to another room and where we had an amazing massage with sweet smelling oil. Finally we were shampooed and lathered up with the loofah, rinsed off, bundled into robes and sent on our way with a nod and a smile.

I know we didn’t have quite the same as the locals but it was perfect for our first time! No pictures of course as you can’t bring cell phones or cameras.

After feeling relaxed and wonderful we decided a good walk was in order and decided to check out Rick’s Cafe. A famous tourist spot in Casablanca that some smart person opened after the movie. It was a hot day and it took awhile to navigate the streets to get there, sadly it was closed between 3 and 6 and since we were meeting our group at 6:30 we only got to check out the outside.