Pawling: Rainbow's End Butterfly Farm

When you drive away from Manhattan, you are trying to experience the country correct? If you’re a city gal like me, you appreciate nature, but probably still like it controlled… I also like things pretty, not messy. The Rainbow’s End Butterfly Farm is the perfect agricultural experience for urbanites and families. The educational complex is set up with a tented sanctuary for butterflies. Lots and lots of butterflies. The staff on hand loves their work and is happy to answer any questions. You learn about their favorite plants, food and how they “get it on”. If you’re bringing the kids, they have activities for them to explore and learn about these mystical winged creatures. Fly on little friends, fly on.

Los Cabos: Back to Nature

Sunset horseback riding along the Los Cabos beach. You could always have your hotel concierge arrange for you, or just stroll out towards the sand. You can choose your favorite horse and charming caballero to lead your ride for much less than the hotel charges. Negotiate for time, price, destinations.

On our ride, Hubby and I enjoyed breaching whales on the ocean, watching black ducks with white beaks hopping alongside us.

I had not anticipated seeing too much wildlife on this resort stretch, but fortunately, the land next to the hotel had not yet been developed.

Even seated next to the pool, exotic birds such as the hummingbird above would visit.

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Fes: Leather Tanning to Spice Market

Shopping and haggling in Morocco is a high-energy activity. Everyone is good-natured, mostly everything is hand-crafted. Leather goods in all colors can be purchased throughout the markets. Many of them were tanned and dyed in Fes. The labor-intensive process starts right at the animal hyde, then is processed with pigeon poop, then pigments, then hand-sewn.

Another coveted specialty for fashionistas in Morocco would be Argan Oil. It is said to be the liquid fountain of youth, cures diseases or a high-priced culinary treat. The fair-trade industry here has been able to employ Berber women with fair wages to hand-press the oil from the argan nut. The real thing costs a pretty penny, even in Morocco. Many diluted versions can be found in tourist shops though. Shady or charming characters are happy to sell you either.

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Marrakech: Shopping, Shopping, Eating

http://riadw.com/

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Atlas Mountains: Berber Country

We did a road trip through the Atlas Mountains.  Dad wanted to see the Berber people.  Camels and monkeys made up the wildlife in the area.  Plenty of waterfalls down the side of the mountain, often gushing over the roads.  If not for the 4-wheel drive of the car service, it would have been quite sketchy to travel.  I was amazed at the little cottages that were built in the crevices of the mountains.  Many connected to the only paved road via rope bridges like the one above.
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Efran: Maroc Swiss Alps, Yodel If You Can!

Here is a surreal destination. I had heard Dad mention that we were going to a town called Efran, and every local who heard this nodded knowingly, saying "Ah, Maroc-Suisse!".

I had no idea what this meant until we pulled into the snow-covered town of Efran.  The place was indeed mountainous, and appropriate for skiing (as much as a remote African town could be I suppose).  What I didn't expect was an entire town where the buildings looked like Swiss chalets.  

After many days of watching djellaba-covered locals walking through Medieval streets and crumbling stone riads, I did not expect a destination that looked like Disneyland's idea of Europe's favorite neutrals.

Apparently, this was where wealthy Moroccans came to ski, and investors had put a lot of money into trying to make it the next Telluride.  Judging by the quiet streets, I don't think they have achieved what they wanted yet.

Volubilis and Moulay Idriss

No luggage yet, the airline had informed Rani that it will arrive in Fes tomorrow.  Another day in Mom’s sweats, mismatched scarf and yoga shoes.

Early in the morning, a hired grande-taxi took us to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.  This was once a thriving city built over a previous Carthaginian settlement in 3^rd century BC.  The Romans left around 3^rd century AD.  The area was also destroyed heavily by earthquakes in the 4^th century and in 1755.    We were the first visitors to arrive at the site, giving us a lot of freedom to explore in our own fashion.

Columns of every order were visible here, and I struggled to remember the names of each one from art history… (Corinthinan, Doric, Ionic…?) 

Mud covered most of the grounds, so it was easier to travel through the site along the walls of the ruins.  We learned later that that was forbidden, but the caretakers did not seem to enforce it.  Dad’s conduct was even worse; he jumped right into the detailed and delicate mosaics of the ruins.  He insisted the rope barring entry was meant for tourists entering from the other side of the mosaic only…. (we can’t take him anywhere).

The site, with soaring arches against the beautiful Moroccan countryside appeared to be well preserved considering the climate.

After leaving the Roman ruins, we took a quick drive to the small, sacred town of Moulay Idriss.  This town was founded by the great-grandson of Muhammad and is a location of religious pilgrimage for many Moroccans.

Unfortunately, at this point, my stomach began to seek refuge from persecution from the demons of either food/water poisoning or delayed stomach flu. 

Our guide and driver led us up through narrow streets towards the main mosque and mausoleum of the mountainside town.  Outside of the mosque, and elderly clerk with a gentle smile greeted us and agreed to take us through a tour.