Africa – Page 3 – Oh, the Places We See . . .

Party on the Plaza: Morocco’s Jemaa el-Fnaa

If you enjoyed seeing the Marrakech medina — that dizzy meld of colorful goods in tiny shops — then you’ll love passing through the giant plaza to get there. But caution: you’ll stop and stare. A lot. The name, Jemaa el-Fnaa (sometimes spelled Djemma el F’na) means “assembly of the dead,” since it’s been the site […]

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Morocco’s Cat Fetish

Furry felines flourish in Morocco. And maybe they have for years. Not sure about the history of it all, but everywhere we went, there was another cat — or two or three or so. One guide told our group in Marrakech that Moroccans like cats better than dogs. “They are clean animals. You know how […]

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All the Makings of a Feast: Marrakech Medina

No culinary experience in Morroco, especially Chef Joanne Weir’s Culinary Journey, would be complete with a trip to the Marrakech medina. It’s there that the freshest, most colorful foods are piled high for what is truly a feast for the eyes. And once you get home, the makings of a feast for all! It begins […]

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A Magical Mix: the Medina of Marrakech

Shopping is nothing new to Marrakech. Located at the end of the Salt Road and on the way north to Casablanca and Rabat, visitors have poured into Marrakech for centuries as a place for goods, but mostly a feast for the senses. I don’t pretend to have seen all of the Marrakech medina, even after […]

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Can you say tagine? Culinary Journey in Morocco begins!

If you ask anyone about Moroccan cooking — whether they live in Morocco or somewhere around the world — the person is bound to mention tagine. A tagine is a cooking vessel with a sort of upside-down-funnel-shaped top that fits tightly on a deep saucer. It holds an assortment of meats and vegetables, allowing the […]

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True Moroccan style with a sense of calm: Jnane Tamsna

As the driver pulled onto the property known as Jnane Tamsna, I could immediately feel as if a true Moroccan adventure were unfolding before me. Jnane Tamsna is like no other resort or boutique hotel in Morocco — or maybe anywhere — thanks to the impeccable design sense of its owner MeryAnne Loum-Martin, a lawyer […]

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Taking a Travel Break: Headed to Morocco

Well, we’re itching to travel again — this time to Morocco. And the idea originated with a friend’s suggestion to take a course in Moroccan cooking from San Francisco chef Joanne Weir. Chef Weir travels to international destinations conducting week-long adventures in sightseeing, shopping, and cooking the cuisine of the area. Her new TV show, […]

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Boundaries in Soweto

Nowhere have boundaries seemed more present, at least in our limited travels through the world, than in the town of Soweto, South Africa. As we rode in a van with our guide on a Sunday afternoon in Soweto searching for the Nelson Mandela National Museum (better known as the Mandela House), we couldn’t help but […]

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Monochromatic

It’s just nature’s way, of course. But when you come upon one of these magnificent creatures carefully hidden in a monochromatic natural setting, you can’t help but suck in your breath as if you’ve seen a lion on safari or something! For more entries in the Weekly Photo Challenge: Monochromatic, click here.

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Travel theme: Trees

Long winding pathways lined with towering trees, some dating back to the early 1900s, form lasting images for those who visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, South Africa. For more lasting tree images, check out Ailsa’s blog Where’s My Backpack for Travel theme: Trees.