Intriguing Fez.......

Where to start to describe our visit to intriguing Fez? Established in the year 808 Fez is the oldest city in the world never to have been destroyed. Fez's fascinating Medina has 9000 narrow streets & many dead ends! The streets are crowded with workshops producing among other things mosaics & woven goods; countless small shops selling a myriad of good ranging from leather ware, embroidery & beautiful carpets to dried fruits  & fresh fruIt & veg; the ruins of ancient caravanserais; mosques & a Madrasa. This was mixed with inviting aroma of freshly baked breads! In addition there was the odd glass of delicious freshly squeezed orange juice to reinvigorate the shopper!

During our stay here we experienced the ancient Arabic art of calligraphy & today Moroccan button making with the inspiring Amina....... More to come on that. Stay posted for further updates....... The Travellings Wanderers 

On the Road in Morocco.......

Greetings from Morocco,

Departing Europe from Tarifa, we crossed the Straits of Gibraltar to arrive in Tangiers where we were greeted by Hicham, our driver. Off we set to experience the moorish delights of Morocco! First stop was an ATM..... 

Along the road we stopped for morning tea & our welcome to Morocco - a cup of refreshing mint tea, widely served through out Morocco........

Then onto Chefchouen a quaint little village in the Rif Mountains. We enjoyed a walk around the very hilly streets witnessing daily life in this charming "blue & white" village.

A lady selling mulberries.............

A typical village street.....

Th hand painted ceiling in my very charming hotel room..... 

On Saturday we travelled to the 9th century city of Fez. Along the way we visited the wonderful Roman ruins at Volubilis where a roman community lived for 300 years. Located over a vast area, the ruins are now a Worl Heritage Site. There are some wonderful mosaic tiled floors still in tact after all these centuries, a testament to the crafts men of the day.......

We are now in the mysterious Fez. More to come on that later - stay posted........ the Wandering Travellers

Granada and the Alhambra........

Greetings from the beautiful Granada located at foot of the snow capped Sierra Navarda mountain range. Arrived here on Tuesday from Cordoba. Yesterday morning dawned to cloud & rain! Even the cows needed an umbrella.....

After a morning spent exploring the local area in the rain the weather Gods were good to us and the afternoon cleared to lovely sunshine. What better weather for our visit to the Alhambra!  This magnificent palace and fortress complex of the Moorish rulers was built in the 1300's and is testament to the amazing craftsmen of that time. Now a world heritage site, the complex is steeped in Spanish history of the Muslim & Christian cultures ....... Luscious gardens, ancient buildings of various architectural styles with walls & ceilings decorated with glorious tiles and intricate stone & timber carvings! 

It is difficult to show the magnificent Alhambra in a photo but I'll let these photos tell their own story..

The travellers still smiling at the end of our 6 hour visit to the Alhambra complex........

Our very memorable day finished with a visit to a flamingo concert..........

Off the Tarifa today, the most southerly point in Europe, and then on the road to Morocco tomorrow!

Stay tuned for the next post! Adios from the Travelling Wanderers......... 

The Moorish Delights of Andalusia & Morocco begins.......

Dear Reader,

Busy fews days, now in lovely Granada......... Our trip the Moorish Delights of Andalusia and Morocco began on Monday with the arrival of Fiona, our tour leader and our departure from Madrid. Travelled to Cordoba on a high speed train.......could do with these in NSW!! 

Cordoba was unexpected gem..... Will post these photos as a taste of the Mezquita (Mosque Cathedral). More to come when stronger internet connection available .........

Madrid............

Greetings from Madrid! After some flights delay arrived in Madrid to be greeted by glorious sunshine & a hotel very well located in Central Madrid at Plaza de la Puerta del Sol. My fellow travellers arrived on Thursday and we were off & walking...........

Yesterday we enjoyed the delights of a Madrid Food Tour.  Guided by the knowledgeable Paula we were treated to 4 hours of walking, talking, learning about the strong Madrid food culture. One intriguing stop was at the Barefoot Nuns Convent. A still active 16th century convent of enclosed Carmelite nuns who raise money by baking cookies for the local people..... The cookie were purchased  via a turn table while communicationing with one of the nuns via an intercom! Intriguing & unexpected......

We visited many food venues including the Mercado de San Miguel, the oldest food market in Madrid........ Along the way we tasted all manner of delicious food & drink including sweet pastries, savoury pastries, hams, pigs ears (yes....not a typo), wine, sherry, cider among others! Needless to say by the tour end we were well feed & watered!! A must do for travellers to Madrid.......

I'll let the photos tell their own story........

Pig ears (surprisingly delicious) .........

Waiter pouring cider with a real flourish.........

Finally the tour group relaxing at our final stop after a long & very enjoyable walking tour...... cocktails, fried pigs ears & crumbed anchovies on the menu.....yum, yum!

Stay posted for the next update....... Adios from the The Wandering Travellers .......

Gap Year here I come........

Well dear reader the big day has arrived, all packed & ready to go.............but alas the weather Gods are not in my favour, my flight has been delayed twice already! Current departure time is 8.45pm, instead of the scheduled 2pm. Apparently delay due to very bad weather in Hong Kong. What can one do but sit on one's travel chest & wait........

Travel in an another era! How about the clothes & luggage?? Let's be grateful for light weight luggage & lighter clothing.......

Fingers crossed for an 8.45pm departure!

Stay tuned for the next update.  Adios.......... K

The big adventure begins........

Departing School Lane on the 1st leg of my wanderings!

Enjoying the sunshine........

Just enjoying the sunshine on a beautiful day in the Hunter while I practice blogging from my iPad! Seems very easy but time will tell........ Hope life's sunny where you are!

I like this image of Winnie & Pooh!

Until the next post....... K

My Gap Year Wanderings coming up..................

Well dear Reader, after much dreaming & planning my wonderful 3 month Gap Year adventure is fast approaching - I depart Sydney next Monday 12th May!

My wanderings commence in Madrid where I join friends for a tour of southern Spain & Morocco. Just to wet your appetite some images of north Africa & a market in Marrakech.......

Must away - much to do this week! Next stop Gap Year................

Excitement mounting! Stay tuned for the next post..........