Another big day!
For all our motel’s faults…they did put on a good breakfast and at the early-for-Morocco hour of 7.30! So we were on the road shortly after 8.
The first 80kms were across rolling countryside…
…on much quieter narrower roads now. A few too-close moments with crazy taxi-van drivers, but generally the drivers are fine, giving us plenty of space.
We do feel like we are in Africa now…
…with the landscape changing from very green to more arid (albeit with plenty of wheat being grown …& harvested with ancient combines!).
As legs were tiring….the hills started! Past sweet towns..
…and this little gem.
We saw some unusual buildings in the far far distance…
…and only when we looked them up after the end of our ride, did we discover that these are the extraordinary remains of the ancient city of Volubilis. Originally the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania, it became one if the most important Cities at the very fringe if the Roman Empire. We were disappointed to have cycled right past…….(this is an example of what we missed!)
It was a hard last hour as we climbed up to the imperial city of Meknes (There are four in Morocco…the others being Fez, Marrakech and Rabat)….
…and into the maze of the Medina..
….where our Riad awaited.
Thence…to find beers (well outside the Medina, of course). And we found this gem…..
No speakeasy this!…with gorgeous terrace overlooking the Medina. Lovely spot!
Back to the Medina for some street food for dinner…
….and we found this wee stall selling gorgeous fresh potato pizza things…with tomatoes, onions and cheese.
We filled our bellies…..and felt guilty about the price: total cost for each of us…of 3 Dirhams. Which is about 30 Euro cents….or $0.50NZ! (…one beer here meanwhile costs about 8 to 10 times that amount!). Ho hum.
Shame about the ruins… looks fantastic though!!