Friday, 7 March 2014

21 – 23 February 2014 – Fez, Morocco

Fez is Morocco’s oldest city, first capital and with over 9,600 streets, it has one of the largest Medinas in the Arab world.

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The tiled fountain in the courtyard of the Dar Fes Medina (our guesthouse)P1140366

Bab Boujloud is the main entrance to the souk and the Medina.  The gate is decorated with enamelled ceramic tiles, blue (the colour of Fez) on one side and green (the colour of Islam) on the other.

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The courtyard of the 14th century Bou Inania Madrassa, with elaborate wooden ceilings and plaster walls carved with geometric patterns and calligraphy

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A peek through the doorway of the Kairaouine Mosque

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Fez is considered to be the handicraft capital of Morocco.

Hand knotted rugs for sale at a carpet showroom

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Pungent vats of lime and colourful dyes in Fez’s tannery quarter

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The finished product – leather babouches in a variety of colours and designs

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Hand woven textiles (wool, cotton and cactus silk)

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This man used a foot operated potter’s wheel 

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An example of the finished product

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Hand cut tiles fit together into the shape required for the Islamic geometric designs on mosaic fountains, table tops and fireplaces

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The Merenid Tombs on the north side of the city

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Next to the tombs on the slopes of the hill were damp leather hides that were being brought up from the Medina on the backs of donkeys and laid out in the sun to dry

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The entrance to the Royal Palace in the Fez El Jedid section of the Medina.  It’s good to be the King!

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The white rounded graves of the Jewish Cemetery

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The walled Royal Gardens were a haven of peace after the chaos of the Medina

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The camel butcher

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Sheep heads and stomachs make a flavoursome soup

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Moroccan escargot

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Jess & Suzie take the plunge

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