We got up early, showered, packed our bags, and went downstairs for a quick breakfast (omelet, bread, and orange ‘juice’). Then off we were, once again packed in like sardines in our ‘mini-bus’. The road out of Chefchaouen was winding and up and down. The recent rains, after seven years of drought, made the hills and valleys lush and green. And it also had washed out the road in some places. So it made navigating on the road a little more tricky.
It was a long morning of driving, with a quick rest stop about halfway.
Or first scheduled stop was at the Roman Ruins at Volubilis. We had a very knowledgeable and interesting guide who took about an hour to walk us around while he explained the life in the Roman Empire at this UNESCO World Heritage site. We explored well-preserved mosaics, the basilica, the triumphal arch, and numerous ancient columns. The Roman ruins cover about 40 hectares, though only half has been excavated.
After the tour we continued on for a short drive, stopping for lunch at the AFER Association, a project that is supported by the G-Tours company. This association provides vital services, including literacy and vocational training, health services, disability assistance, and the operation of a local ambulance. AFER’s training center hosts culinary programs recognized by the state, and each year it graduates 30 students, many of whom go on to work in the project. Through this work, AFER creates sustainable employment, fosters community cohesion, and showcases Moroccan culture to travellers.
We enjoyed a traditional home-cooked Moroccan meal, with a choice of vegetable tagine or roasted chicken with onion sauce. After lunch we met some of the women that are part of this community program.
After lunch it was really just a little more than an hour to get to the large city of Fez. We parked in front of our hotel and checked in. After about 45 minutes to unpack and rest a bit, we met downstairs and went for a walk in the neighbourhood. We got some more Moroccon money from the ATM and Currency Exchange. Some people dropped their laundry off at a nearby facility. Then we went back to our hotel, arranging to meet again downstairs; those who were interested in doing this would go to a restaurant (that featured beer and wine — something that seems to be hard to find), and live music.
It was cool, but not too cold, as we ventured out in the evening. Our guide led us on a 20-minute walk to a restaurant. We were seated and had some time to look over the menu. We made our selections, including some white wine and local beers to go with our dinner. The evening was a hit! the food was very good, and the Moroccon beers some of us had with our food was also good.
After an evening of fine dining and some very skilled musicians entertaining us with mostly Moroccan music, we walked back to our hotel. Tomorrow will be another day here in Fez, with some significant time planned for visiting the Medina.