An Outing Outside of Fes: Meknes

An article I read about the vineyards in Muslim populated Morocco got me interested in Meknes. Despite its religious stricture on consumption, thanks to its gentle climate, generous sun, and rich soil, the Meknes region is home to many vineyards and olive groves. I considered a vineyard tour but, to be honest, I completely abandoned the whole wine tasting idea at the last minute in lieu of the very impressive Volubilis. And because walking around the ruins of the Roman settlement took just a little over an hour, we had more time to visit the city of Meknes.

Much less visited than its neighbor Fes, the most unpretentious of imperial cities—Rabat, Fes, Marrakesh being the other three— as it was developed as a capital late in the history of Morocco and only briefly, by a single sultan, Moulay Ismail. Meknes, despite its humble past, rewards travelers with beautiful gates, ramparts, mosques, and palaces and is often referred to the Versailles of Morocco. As one of the imperial capital, Sultan Moulay Ismail built the city’s vast imperial palaces and massive walls to rival King Louis XIV’s Versailles hence the reference. Suffice to say, his tomb rests here. The weather turned cold and wet, which prevented us from wandering around much, we nevertheless managed to visit a few sites. We would have loved to see the inside of Ismail’s granary (Heri es Souani), but it was close on a Sunday.

Place el Hedime

At the heart of Meknes linking the medina and the Kasbah, the large square is lively in the afternoon,

A glimpse of chaotic Djemaa el Fna

much like but a lot tamer than the Djemaa el Fna of Marrakech (you will know what I mean on my future post). The outstanding architectural detail of the walls and gates (especially of Bab Mansour) makes for a more compelling square than Place Seffarine and Boujloud.

Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum

From the main entrance, an archway leads to a triple-arched entrance. A small yellow room with a small fountain in the middle greets as you enter the mausoleum.

Moulay-Ismail-Mausoleum

This leads to the first of several open aired courtyard surrounded in all sides by bright yellow walls. The last courtyard fronts sanctuary where the tomb is. While non-Muslims are not allowed inside the sanctuary, it was possible to have a glimpse of the tomb from the antechamber.

Sahrij Souani Bassin

It was said that the lake, measuring 319m by 149m, was constructed to ensure the supply of water to the town in case of drought or siege. The reservoir is connected to the water system of the city, which was considered an ancient engineering wonder.

This is the exterior of Heri es Souani, the ingeniously designed stables of Moulay Ismail. To keep the temperature cool and air circulating, the structure was built with tiny windows, massive vaults and an underground water channel system. The gigantic storerooms provide stabling and grains for 12,000 horses. Too bad we were there at the wrong time and couldn’t see the inside, they say it is bewildering.

Posted on January 20, 2014January 21, 2014 by Jenn 4

An Outing Outside of Fes: Volubilis

It seats on top of some of the most fertile land in the Middle Atlas only 5 kilometers away from Moulay Idriss, situated near Meknes between Fes and Rabat. A site so unexpected, truth to tell.

This Roman ruins consist of no more than half of the original town, but the well-defined remains of its walls,

its intact and intricate mosaics, and the foundation of buildings

destroyed by a massive earthquake sometime in the 18th century has earned recognition by the UNESCO as an ancient Roman site that houses extensive ruins dating back over 2,000 years.

The Mauritanian capital became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was adorned with many fine buildings. Already a thriving town, Volubilis grew rapidly under the Roman rule from the 1st century AD onwards.

Olive trees still grace the land.

Grains and olive oils, produced in the fertile lands of this province were exported to Rome as well as wild animals for gladiatorial spectacles, contributing to the town’s wealth and prosperity. The last stop of the Roman Imperial roads that went across France, Spain and down to Morocco’s northern city of Tangiers,

Volubilis is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a larger Roman colonial town on the fringe of the empire. Its structure comparable to other Roman ruins along the Mediterranean.

Many, including us, travel to Volubilis to explore the sites’ historical significance. Amongst the ruins, visitors can see a range of public buildings, olive mills, houses, and temples.

And because Morocco is a country of mosaic, the rather well-preserved mosaics from the ruins are considered among the finest in existence.

From the entrance, one can appreciate the green plateau that Volubilis seats on,

and when one reaches the site, fabulous views of the Rif Mountains and its surround greets.

So picturesque, Volubilis is picture perfect at any angle. Here’s more of the ruins:

Posted on January 9, 2014January 9, 2014 by Jenn 5

How Time Flies…

Has it been a year already? According to WordPress, I made 23 new posts this year. Really? Only 23? That’s about 2 posts a month, and half of what I posted in 2012. Not good at all. I can’t say if I will do better than last year, but I can at least promise to strive for it.

2013 was pretty good to me—in both the travel and work scene. In the travel category, it has been a cultural feast near and far with Morocco, most definitely, topping the list, followed by Spain and Portugal. But not to be outdone are some of the places close to me. Here’s a glimpse of how I spent my 2013, many of which I still owe a post so please stay tune.

And with this, I wish you all a year of greater adventures and good health. Cheers!!

Posted on January 9, 2014January 9, 2014 by Jenn 1

An Outing Outside of Fes: Moulay Idriss

Credits: Digital sketch by Jen Caputo (http://jencaputo.typepad.com); Papers from Scrapmatters’ Life’s Little Surprises kit — Happy Scrappy Girl, Graham like the Cracker, Haynay Designs

Seated comfortably in the van, enjoying the company of family and newfound friends,

Lake Chahand

we marveled at the beauty along the way,

even stopping to buy some oranges and dried figs from a roadside vendor.

An hour away from Fes is a picturesque whitewashed town scenically perched in the foothills of the Rif Mountain.

Moulay Idriss is the first of several destinations planned for the day. Considered the holiest town in Morocco, we paid a visit to the final resting place of the town’s namesake, Morocco’s religious and secular founder and the great-grandson of the prophet Mohamed.

His shrine is actually off-limits to non-Muslims, but we were able to go as far as the first courtyard.

Until 2005, non-Muslims were not permitted to spend the night in town and tourists were advised to be out of town by 3pm. Today, I noticed a few lodgings while walking around.

This is where we end the visit to the shrine. Off limits from here.

The town is considered to be the holiest in Morocco. They say that, for Moroccans who can’t afford the trip to Mecca, five pilgrimages to Moulay Idriss is equal to one to Mecca.

Pretty and peaceful with beautiful views across the foothills,

the village has a charming little souk with stalls selling everything from fruits to live hens.

And while we were not allowed inside the mosque and shrine, we had fun walking around the main square. It is a great place to people watch while sipping mint tea

or enjoy a terrific lunch of grilled meats before or after a visit to Volubilis.

Aside from the fact that our driver barely spoke English, Ibrahim confessed to never having explored the town of Moulay Idriss and the nearby city of Volubilis making it the perfect reason to come along.

New-found friends flanked: Israeli couple Ronin and wife and Ibrahim

But I think he just really likes us.

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Jenn 2

Meandering Through Old Fes

You hear the bangs of coppersmiths in the labyrinth souks combined with the beat and clangs of Moroccan music and the constant calls to prayers,

add to that the intoxicating smells of fruits, spices, fresh innards and dung,

then you see the chaos of men pushing wheelbarrows, children playing and

donkeys transporting people and things, and not to mention the vibrant colors of rugs, potteries, spices… all happening simultaneously. The old city of Fes stimulates all the senses.

Rashid, our guide picked us up right after breakfast at Dar Labchara. To discover the city, an official guide is essential.

Ours took us around the medina, passing narrow alleys housing hundreds of merchants and craftsmen selling an assortment of products from dates to musical instruments.

Fes el Bali (Fes the old) is our baptism of fire into an exotic medieval world. Not much seemed to have changed within this walled city with over 9,000 alleyways.

Fes el Bali is the old medina where most cultural sights are located; its labyrinth of narrow winding alleys is almost impossible to negotiate without getting lost.

It is a car-free urban space and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans 1,300 years of Moroccan heritage. It is the central business where 150,000 people living inside the wall – a cocktail of Berbers, Arabs, and Africans in hooded djellaba cloaks, red tarboosh hat they call fez and open heel babouche slippers – come and go, much like it was 1,300 years ago.

Following Rashid, we found ourselves in the market staring at a camel’s head,

drooling over a variety of Moroccan food specialties, admiring vegetables I don’t get to buy in my part of the world, and devouring some beautiful, crunchy strawberries in season.

Chaotic, overwhelming, stimulating, similar, in a certain way, to our wet market yet distinctly Moroccan in every way.

Morocco is a shopper’s delight and weaving through the maze like narrow lanes led us to various outdoor bazaars called souks.

They consist of tiny stalls displaying objects ranging from colorful scarves to buckets of olives. It is an integral part of the medina. It is where the locals buy their essentials.

A stand making bread

Each Moroccan town has its unique souk quarter displaying some of the fine Moroccan ornaments and crafts. In larger cities like Fes or Marrakech, there are “specialty” souks of all kinds –

the spice souk, the carpenter’s souk, the leather souk, the slipper souk, the dyer’s souk… all within a bigger souk. At every turn, we found ourselves in a new souk typically named after what they are selling.

One such souk was at the Seffarine Square. A delightful square that is the center of Fes’ copperware trade surrounded by artisans hammering sheets of metal into shape: huge cauldrons, kettles, pots, plates and the likes.

On one side lay the Kairaouine library, on the other, the Seffarine Madrasa. The open space is a refreshing break from the confining tight corners of the medina.

Built in AD857, the University of al-Karaouine is perhaps the oldest university in the world.

Not open to non-muslim, we had to content ourselves with viewing its beautiful architecture from the entrance. Rashid took a shot from my camera for a peek at one of the dozen horseshoe arches in the mihrab (prayer niche).

A better view of the university can be had at any rooftop balcony nearby.

Rashid then lead us to another lovely square where you will find the Fondouk el Nejjarine.

The beautifully restored building used to be a fondouk or a caravanserai, a roadside inn built to shelter men, goods and animals along ancient caravan routes.

It is today a museum of wooden arts and crafts. It has a nice little rooftop café boasting of outstanding views of the city.

A visit to Fes will not be complete without seeing a tannery. And at the Chounara Tannery, the smell of lye, acidic pigeon excrements and dyes drifts around the rooftop balcony, we were given sprigs of mint to mask the stench.

The view from the balcony allows for a site that has not changed since the 11th century –

workers balancing between stone vessels arranged like honeycombs filled with vibrant dyes. They soak the hides in the acidic solution and then transfers them to another vat containing dyes such as henna, saffron, or mint.

It is a rare visual spectacle and experience not to be missed at any cost.

Now purchasing high quality leather products produced from these tanneries is another thing. In fact, shopping in Morocco is an entertaining experience worthy of a post all its own.

Posted on November 26, 2013March 16, 2014 by Jenn 12

A Dar in Fes

Credits: Papers by Gwenipooh Designs and Graham Like the Cracker from Scrapmatters’ Life Little Surprises Kit; Elements by Designs by Tater from Scrapmatters’ LLS Kit and journaling snippets by Crystal Wilkerson

Founded 1,200 years ago in the northern part of Morocco, Fes has remained to be the country’s cultural and spiritual capital. It is home to the oldest university in the world and its medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fes has the best-preserved old city in the Arab World and to spend a few nights inside those walls is to, in some way, experience its unique culture.

“When you reach the train station, please call this number”, Said (Sa-eed) advised on his email. “A handsome young man will meet you at the bank outside Bab Boujeloud.” – the main and most attractive point of entry into the medina, Fes el Bali.

A petit taxi outside the train station, he advised, would cost 10 Dh to get us to the main gate. And true enough; handsome young man introduced himself as Ibrahim.

Decorated with blue (color of Fes) zellij tile on the outside and green (color of Islam) on the other side, the gate leads to the Bab Boujeloud Square.

Meandering through the narrow alleys teeming with people, restaurants and lodgings called riads and dars, provided a perfect primer of Fes. The passages taper as we marched deeper into the medina, the maze of corridors begin to confuse. We finally reached a wooden arched door in an uncommonly narrow lane. Ibrahim unlocked the door and welcomed us into a world bursting with exotic eastern charm. Dars and riads are traditional homes unique to Morocco.

Entirely closed on the outside, the dar’s foyer serves as gatekeeper that led to an inner courtyard of traditional zellij (small colored tiles) floors, exquisite Moroccan design and furnishings with touches of deep red.

The courtyard is the center of the house and serves as seating and dining area. The second floor balcony overlooks it.

A burly man, Ibrahim’s uncle, Said warmly welcomed us to Fes. He owns Dar Labchara, a lovely house he inherited from his father. While we sipped tea and recharged from the four-hour journey, he gave us a rundown of what to expect of Fes.

We met a guy on the train also named Said, we told him, exceptionally friendly and extremely eager to help. “You are the 3rd guests who met him”, he said. “Does he wear a black leather jacket?” Said asked. He revealed that one of his guests decided to pay the factory (he said he owned) a visit and found that the Said from the train isn’t quite what he presented himself to be, pretending to own a ceramic factory when he only earns a commission for bringing “tourists” there. Not exactly harmful, but neither was he truthful. And with that, he candidly warned of fraudsters roaming the narrow alleyways of the medina. Warnings of this manner I came across while researching for this trip, I was still shocked, however, to have met one so early in the trip.

For a traditional Moroccan dinner, Ibrahim pointed us to the nearby Restaurant Palais des Merinides, assigning Mohammed, a staff, to bring and fetch us after. Beautiful interiors. As the culinary center of Morocco, my expectations were high. Maybe too high because the food was actually decent but impressed we were not. The Pastilla Fassia (chicken pastille) was flavorful and memorable, the play in sweet and savory appealed to me but not to everyone in the group.

The Mechoui (roasted mutton) was not as tender as I wished it to be. They say that many restaurants like this pay commission for sending guests over, I hope this wasn’t the case with our dar.

Breakfast, however, was a different story. It more than made up for last night’s lackluster effort to wow.

The variety of breads alone – flatbread (khobz), pan-fried bread (harcha), pan-fried pancakes (msemen), a more traditional looking pancake (meloui)…

were enough to overlook the lack of any meat in the morning. To complement the breads were cheese, butter, jams and honey, fried eggs served in a pool of olive oil seasoned with cumin and salt.

One morning, we were served a traditional soup called bessara. It is pureed beans served with olive oil and cumin. Usually eaten at breakfast and a prefered soup during Ramadan. Tastes like pea soup with a strong olive oil taste that leaves a slight bitter aftertaste, which quite frankly, appealed to me.

From the street, the houses in the medina is hidden by a high wall with a door somewhere, giving no clue as to what lays beneath. But once inside, one is transported into a remarkable intricately decorated palace. Fes, in a similar fashion, reveals its charm unexpectedly, its mysteries difficult to comprehend but once revealed, opens up to a brilliant world within. The key is to run straight in.

Useful Info:

Dar Labchara

8 Derb Lebchara, Souiket

Ben Safi Talaa Sghira

Fes, Morocco

Phone: +212 535 741 306

Mobile: +212 662 347 547

Email: contact@darlabchara.com

Posted on November 7, 2013November 8, 2013 by Jenn 9

4 Hours in Casablanca

Towering over me, I felt very small, its minaret standing 210 meters (700 ft) tall, the tallest in the world, in fact. Half of its enormous structure sits on land, and the other over the sea on reclaimed land.

I walked barefoot inside, awed by its intricate beauty and incredible size.

“I can show you around town tomorrow”, our reliable grand taxi driver offered before he dropped us at the hotel the night before. For 550 Dirham, Aziz endeavored to introduce us to his Casablanca in 4 hours. First off the agenda was his and the rest of Casa’s pride. The Grand Hassan II Mosque.

It is the largest in Morocco and the second largest in the world, the brainchild of the late King Hassan II when he felt that Casablanca was somewhat lacking in traditional sight.

It was not only built to withstand earthquake, but the grand mosque also comes with a sliding roof and a heated floor – a beautiful blend of traditional Moorish Architecture and modern innovation.

The Hassan II Mosque glistened in the morning light;

hemmed in beautiful wood carvings, stucco works and ornate traditional Moroccan tile work called zellij.

Aziz wanted to show an old part of Casablanca; he dropped us off at the Marrakech gate of the Old Medina with its imposing clock tower.

We wandered through the labyrinth of narrow streets of the walled city, which includes an 18th century fortress, a jewelry market and a kaleidoscope of other stores – souvenirs, handicrafts, leather goods – all requiring more than a little skill in bargaining.

Carts laden with oranges peppered the streets, and a medley of Moorish and Portuguese architectures reflecting its own personality and charm.

There were children playing and old women filling up at the water station or just sitting at the doorway.

Not as bustling and quite run down compared to the glories of Fes and Marrakech, the “Ancienne Medina” is a place Moroccans venture to only if there is a need to do so. It is a part of Casa that predates the French Protectorate, and in many ways, a closed quarter where bikes and cars are restricted.

In the 1930s, the French created the Habous neighborhood just a short ride away from the old walled city, wanting to build a nicer, cleaner medina.

Also known as the Quartier Habous, the New Medina is home to some excellent shopping opportunities at the Joutiya market, a handicraft market selling top artisan product.

Capped with arches, its shops surround a pretty square that lead to a nearby Muslim courthouse, Pasha’s Makhama and on the opposite side of the square is the Mohammed V Mosque

and the Moulay Youssef Mosque. A pleasant place to while away time.

We weaved through the neighborhood until it was time to be reunited with our luggage and say goodbye to Casa. A setback that ended in a good way, at the very least it was a delightful introduction to Morocco, a country that can be overwhelming at first.

Useful Info:

Hassan II Mosque

Sour Djedid

Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdaliah

Tours: Guided tours are offered throughout the day to non-muslim visitors. Be sure to dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering.

Old Medina (Ancienne Medina)

Between Boulevard des Almoliades & Place Mohammed V

New Medina (Al Habous)

Near Boulevard Victor Hugo

Posted on October 16, 2013October 17, 2013 by Jenn 2

Casablanca: Not the Usual Welcome

Credits: 4EVER Bloghop Quickpage by Kelly Mobley

Mohamed V International Airport – “No more luggage, finish”, said the porter. “What do you mean? We still don’t have our luggage!” I yelled in frustration. “No anglaise”, he looked at me and shrugged. A lady, also missing her luggage, told me that the guy is only a porter, and he doesn’t understand me. I should talk to the people at the baggage service counter. Valid point. But not exactly the welcome I expected.

Casablanca. The bustling port city whose name mean “white house” and made famous by the Humphrey Bogart 1942 classic. It may not echo the same romantic air the 1942 film brings to mind, but a trip through the city’s swanky lounge and bars can still evoke the spirit of the café from the movie.

Casablanca was a jewel of the French Colonial empire, famous for luscious art deco, neo-classic and a blend of Moorish architecture that is unique to the city. An architectural style known as Maurasque with trademarks such as wrought iron balconies, staircase and windows; carved facades and exterior corners; floral and geometric design on stuccoed walls. Boulevard Mohammed V and Place Mohammed V still retains a trace of its unique colonial architecture heritage.

With our luggage arriving on Emirate’s next flight the same time tomorrow, we gained half a day, allowing us to explore more of “Casa” as the locals call it.

“Grand taxi?” a guy approached us as we stepped out of the Gare Casablanca Voyager after purchasing train tickets for tomorrow. We said no, we wanted a metered taxi. “You’ll need 2”, he said. “A petite taxi can only sit 3, at the most”, he added.

In Ibis Casa Voyageurs next door and our home for a night, the guy at the reception confirmed that the taxi driver was correct and gave us an idea on how much it would cost. And so our negotiations with Aziz began. We shook hands at 100 Dirham (US $13). He would take us to Corniche d’Ain Diab,

where high-end bars and trendy nightclubs line the area. “ It’s overlooking the water, where the yuppies go”, the guy on the train from the airport told us.

He suggested that we might want to dine there, but the movie buff in us, out of curiosity, had our eyes set on Rick’s Café,

so instead, we walked around the boardwalk and took shelter sipping “Whiskey Morocco” (Moroccan mint tea)

in a café when it got too windy.

Dinner, though not our cheapest in Morocco, did not disappoint.

While we found the goat cheese balls drizzled in honey starter and chicken with lemon and olives tagine quite enjoyable,

and particularly liked the lamb chops with mint pesto, it is the ambience — down to the piano and the sax player named Issam (close enough to Sam) — that made it one of the best “gin joints” in town.

Founded by a former US diplomat, Kathy Kriger, Rick’s Café opened in 2004.

With potted palms, ceiling fans, whitewashed walls, low archways, ornate lamps casting shadows everywhere, traditional Moroccan carved and inlaid woodwork, balconies and balustrades, antique brass… all provided the right atmosphere and feel of the 1942 cult classic.

The nostalgia alone is reason enough to come for a visit.

Useful Info:

Rick’s Cafe

248 Bd Sour Jdid, Place du Jardin

Acienne Medina

For Reservations: +212 522 27 42 07 / +212 522 27 42 08

Hotel Ibis Casa Voyageur

Boulevard Bahmad

Place de la Gare Casa-Voyageur

+212 0520 48 00 00

Posted on October 6, 2013October 9, 2013 by Jenn 5

Visiting Xin Xin and Kai Kai

In a simulated indoor garden, Xin Xin munched on bamboo leaves. She seemed unfazed by the crowd, albeit small at 10 in the morning.

Outside, Kai Kai is the same, although he seemed more playful than his friend.

We took the 26A bus from just across Hotel Lisboa to the Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane to visit a pair of pandas from Chengdu. Set in the southernmost island, we’ve never been to this part of Macau, and thought we’d visit the city and spend a few hours in the park. We started early and arrived at the park before it opened, so we hopped on another bus that dropped us off at the Coloane Village Square.

At 9 in the morning, the village was half awake. We explored a bit of the area but didn’t reach the village center.

Right next to the square, however, as you walk toward the sea front promenade is Lord Stowe’s Bakery.

We walked in, bought ourselves a piece of their famous Portuguese egg tart

and devoured it while waiting for the bus to take us back to the park.

Nestled against the hillside with Alto do Coloane serving as backdrop, Seac Pai Van Park is designed around the terrain.

Found within the park is the Giant Panda Pavilion, the pair’s new home, simulating their natural habitat.

The multifunctional park, once a farm, is now considered as the largest natural green belt of Macau.

Besides the pavilion, the park has a mini zoo that houses a few animals from macaques to deers, a walkthrough aviary that has a few rare birds,

Flamingoes

and a pond with a few flamingos and other waterfowl.

The 20-hectare lot is easy to explore in just a few hours. If you are into flora and fauna, this place may disappoint, but for the price (MOP$10) and the pandas, the park is worth the morning.

The village, I believe, though, is worth exploring… on my next visit.

But while in Macau check out the many good eats this island has to offer here, here, here and here.

Useful Info:

Seac Pai Van Park

Estrada de Seac Pai Van

Transport: 21A, 26A, 50

Hours: 9am-6pm (Tues-Sun); Aviary: 9am-5pm (Tues-Sun)

Posted on September 7, 2013October 24, 2013 by Jenn 9

Kamikochi: A glimpse of the Japanese Alps

Credits: Template by Jen Caputo; Papers: Designs by Sarah Bennett, Erica Zane, Gwenipooh Designs. Haynay Designs.

Sometimes a change in plans is a good thing. We arrived in Hirayu Onsen early. Our room wasn’t ready yet. “You may want to go to Kamikochi instead”, the front desk clerk recommended to us after she discouraged a trip to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway, a two-stage tramway that climbs alongside the Hotaka Mountain Range. She informed us that it had been raining so the visibility will be bad. “It will also be very slippery”, she added. We took her word, left our bags with them and headed to the bus station after lunch.

Long dubbed as the Japanese Alps, Kamikochi is a pristine mountain valley in the Nagano Prefecture, seated at the foot of the Hida Mountains, deep in the Chukusangaku National Park where the Azusa River flows some 1,500 meters above sea level.

It is known for its splendid landscape and various hiking trails. As private vehicles have been prohibited in the park since 1996, only buses or taxis are allowed,

Kamikochi has become one of the best-protected natural areas of Japan despite the droves of tourists and hikers that flock there.

The scenic bus ride from Hirayu Onsen to the Kamikochi parking lot took all of 30 minutes with a brief stop at Taisho Pond for those wanting to hike to the center of Kamikochi. Since it was drizzling and freezing and we weren’t in proper attire, not to mention that we only had half a day, we passed.

trail-from-taisho

It is the best way to enjoy a day in Kamikochi actually, and on hindsight, I am not sure we made the right decision to forego the hike.

From the parking lot, we took our time and marveled at the wondrous views of some of the tallest peaks of Central Japan’s Northern Alps as we followed the trail to the Kappabashi Bridge.

This wooden suspension bridge is a symbol of Kamikochi with the most gathering of visitors.

From the bridge, one can see the surrounding mountains, Nishihotakadake, Okuhotakadake, Myojindake, and the active volcano Yakaedake – all towering summits over 3,000 meters above sea level.

Though we barely scratched the surface with just half a day, less actually if you take out the time we spent indoors to warm ourselves with coffee and dessert, Kamikochi has instantly become a personal favorite, and I wouldn’t mind spending a few days wandering around should there be a next time.

So sometimes a change in plans is indeed a good thing.

Posted on July 31, 2013July 31, 2013 by Jenn 7

my adventure odyssey

travel tales, gustatory delights and beyond

my adventure odyssey

Tag: Travel

An Outing Outside of Fes: Meknes

Place el Hedime

A glimpse of chaotic Djemaa el Fna

Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum

Sahrij Souani Bassin

An Outing Outside of Fes: Volubilis

Olive trees still grace the land.

How Time Flies…

An Outing Outside of Fes: Moulay Idriss

Credits: Digital sketch by Jen Caputo (http://jencaputo.typepad.com); Papers from Scrapmatters’ Life’s Little Surprises kit — Happy Scrappy Girl, Graham like the Cracker, Haynay Designs

Lake Chahand

This is where we end the visit to the shrine. Off limits from here.

New-found friends flanked: Israeli couple Ronin and wife and Ibrahim

Meandering Through Old Fes

A stand making bread

A Dar in Fes

Credits: Papers by Gwenipooh Designs and Graham Like the Cracker from Scrapmatters’ Life Little Surprises Kit; Elements by Designs by Tater from Scrapmatters’ LLS Kit and journaling snippets by Crystal Wilkerson

Useful Info:

4 Hours in Casablanca

Useful Info:

Casablanca: Not the Usual Welcome

Credits: 4EVER Bloghop Quickpage by Kelly Mobley

Useful Info:

Visiting Xin Xin and Kai Kai

Useful Info:

Kamikochi: A glimpse of the Japanese Alps

Credits: Template by Jen Caputo; Papers: Designs by Sarah Bennett, Erica Zane, Gwenipooh Designs. Haynay Designs.