Day 22 - Roman ruins

Ok...a downside of sharing a room with others is that there is a risk of a snorer and that is what happened - only got about 4 hours sleep.

All of us got up early (about 6.15am really 7.15am as now day light saving) to watch the sunrise.  Anti-climax because of the light misty rain rolling in.  We had breakfast then wandered around town abit taking photos.  Men were leading donkeys to collect rubbish - they didnt like photos being taken unfortunately.  It was lovely seeing the town in day light - generally everywhere we have been in Morocco to date has been simply amazing to see visually, however there is a big issue with rubbish.  It was good to see at least people trying to clear it up but not certain where they dump it afterwards. 

In taxis we headed to Volubilis (best to sing it out like the Muppet song...."Mnana ma") - site of Roman ruins in ¨the midst of a fertile plain.  It is the best preserved archaelogical site in Morocco and once the city housed up to 20000 people.  We had a great guide with excellent english and a great sense of humour.  The weather was surprisingly cool and with a light rain but gradually it cleared to reveal a huge site of ruins, surrounded by miles of crops and gorgeous wildflowers of every colour.

Next stop was Meknes where again our group went off after a fab lunch of bbq chicken, to explore the city by ourselves: We stayed together as a group and are having a lot of fun with each other.  At Meknes we wandered around a historic mausoleum; grainnery; stables; and a medina before sampling olives in a local market.  Again the people have been so friendly and it is easy to have a laugh and joke with them: 

Next was a train to Fes - again missed out on seats so sat in the aisle on our backpacks whilst trying to communicate in a basic way with the locals.  The women are more restrained which is understandable but there has been special moments.

Arriving in Fes we checked in to our hotel which is basic but clean.  The group are over big meals so we ordered kebaps and fritters of mashed potato and egg  to eat at the hotel and we bought beers and wine from a shop across the  road - lovely "chillaxed" (cross between chilled and relaxed) night in.

Raining tonight and cool so happy I packed warmer clothes ie jeans; fleece and thermal top.

Moulay Idriss

Moulay Idriss

Roman ruins at Volubilis

Roman ruins at Volubilis

Meknes

Meknes

Meknes food market