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JLOTS, Morocco, May 2011

Feb 20th, 2012
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Some cool jlots 2011 images:

JLOTS, Morocco, May 2011
jlots 2011

Image by US Army Africa
U.S. service members watch as U.S. Army vessel Landing Craft Utility 2006 (USVA Buena Vista) makes its way to shore at Tan-Tan, Morocco, May 3. The vessel traveled from Fort Eustis, Va., to participate in a joint U.S. and Moroccan exercise called African Lion 2011.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Roberts

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Different Hotels In Morocco For Different Tastes

Feb 19th, 2012
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Article by Rcon Franchesca Pascua

Morocco is one of those countries that have an incredible amount of things to offer, even the most jaded of travelers. There’s the incredible shopping, the exotic foods, the rich history, and of course, the magnificent hotels. The Moroccan people are proud of their culture and they take pride in showing off that culture to travelers. Most likely, the first exposure you’ll get to Moroccan culture is the hotel you’ve chosen to stay in. Hotels in Morocco are permeated by the local culture, from the impressive quality of service to the stunning architecture. However, just as the cultural elements are diverse, so are the hotels in Morocco.

There are, basically, three major categories of hotels in Morocco, with each one having something different to offer. If you happen to be the type that travels the world to see the natural beauty of different countries, then the desert hotels near the Sahara desert are probably your cup of tea. For those among you who, like famous traveling chef Anthony Bourdain, prefer to travel for the food, then there are numerous hotels in Morocco that also double as restaurants. Finally, if you are more of the type that prefers to bask in the culture and history of a place, you can always book a room in a “converted” palace in Morocco. Each of these types of hotels can have distinct differences from the others, so you might want to read below their basic descriptions before making a final decision.

1. For the foodFoodstuffs in Morocco are exotic things, with dishes like the sweet almond pastry kab-el-ghzal and the famed couscous. There are plenty of places to go to get a taste of those dishes, but you can barely do better than picking a hotel-restaurant that serves the native dishes. The typical hotel-restaurant in Morocco can be smaller than your average hotel, with less rooms, but the excellent food will more than make up for the lack of ambiance. One thing in particular you shouldn’t miss out is the local mint tea, which is both a very good drink and something of a local tradition. The perfect example of a hotel like this is Hotel Chez Bassou in Northern Morocco.

2. For the historyMaybe food isn’t really your thing when you travel, and you’d rather bask in the rich culture and history of a place. In that case, you are definitely in for a treat if you book your stay in one of many palace-hotels in Morocco. The Moroccan countryside is littered with palaces from past rulers, along with fortified homes for the old aristocracy. If you’ve ever wanted to just stay in one place and marvel at the wondrous architecture of the past, a palace-hotel is a good place to start. Most of the staff of these sorts of hotels in Morocco possess a working knowledge of the history of the palace itself, and sometimes they have useful information about the surrounding area too. Among the hotels in Morocco of this type, a fine example is the Al Madina Palace Hotel, which is located in the city of Aqadir.

3. For the sandsOf course, there are travelers who wish to go to Morocco to take in the natural beauty of the country. It is a stunning country to look at no matter where you go, looking for rooms amidst the desert hotels in Morocco will get you in close proximity to something that many would call a natural wonder. The desert hotels specialize in providing comfortable accommodations for travelers who want to be near the Western Sahara desert. Hotels in Morocco like these are built to be cool during the day and warm at night. A few that are really near the sands are former fortifications of the French Foreign Legion. Desert hotels, as the name implies, are very near to the Western Sahara, if not actually in it. Most of the cities in Morocco have hotels that are in close proximity, but very few can match Fort Bou Jerif in terms of closeness to the sand dunes.

About the Author

Rcon Franchesca Pascua is an in-house writer for the online media company Intelligraph Corporation. She enjoys traveling and exploring exotic and historic locales like Morocco. For more information on hotels in Morocco, visit http://www.morocco-emotions.com

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Camel Trekking – Perfect Morocco Holidays Adventure

Feb 18th, 2012
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Article by Younes Farhat

Camel trekking has always been a well-known and desired type of Morocco holidays adventure, which gives you a unique opportunity to see the contrast between the traditional and authentic Bedoin nomad life style of Morocco Sahara Desert, and one of the world’s spectacular and most unforgettable and enchanting adventure activity. You will be taken on a trip on the top of a camel (known to the Berber nomad people as The Ship of the Desert) throughout impressive landscapes and breathtaking views.

Actually, Camel Trekking can be done in many different locations throughout Morocco, (camel rides in Marrakech, in the Beach of Essaouira as well as Agadir beach etc…) but the perfect two places in Morocco where you can have the fantasy and the spirit to be Lawrence of Arabia and enjoy the great possibility of getting in touch with the pure nature in a different way are Morocco’s high sand seas, Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga.

Out here in these two gates of the Giant Sahara Desert you can can live the ultimate desert experience enjoying a camel ride without having to worry as you go with a friendly knowlegable local guides. You travel like local nomad blue men(dressed in the flowing blue caftans and robes of the famed Tuareg nomads) in the desert while you witness the majesty of the sun setting over towering giant sand sea’s sand – 150m high (492-ft.), before spending the night under a starry sky in a Berber nomad desert campsite or at an authentic Kasbah hotel (hotel in Desert) at the line of high sand dunes.

When is the Best Time to Go on a Camel trek in Morocco?

The best time for a camel trek is during the cooler dry months, from September to May. After May, Morocco sahara desert becomes unbearably hot.

Additionnal information about camel riding in Morocco:

1 – Riding on camel back can become surprisingly uncomfortable after a while, and many people complain of having very sore legs and bums by the end of their journey. To avoid this, do bring something comfortable and padded to sit on!

2 – There are a plenty of tour companies and hotels that provide tailor made and private camel trekking services in Morocco, often organize camel treks during sun set for a couple of hours, but it’s also possible to go on a custom camel trekking expedition for several days.

Camel trekking Morocco is a fun way to experience Mama Africa – Morocco desert on a personal level.

Places where you can have the chance for a camel rides in Morocco

- Erg Chebbi golden sand Dunes – Merzouga – Rissani – Tinfou Dunes – Zagora – Nkob – Erg Chigaga high sand dunes – Ait Benhaddou Kasbah – Mhamid – Ourika Valley – Tinerhir oases – Essaouira beach (Diabat) – Agadir beach – Marrakech

About the Author

This article was written by Younes Farhat on behalf of I Tour Morocco, a local Morocco travel agency who offer tailor made Morocco Tours, and can offer all the ground arrangement for your Camel trekking in Morocco holidays and adventure.

Shopping in Morocco

Feb 18th, 2012
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Article by Jeff Wilson

As soon as you visit a foreign country, you want to pick up small souvenirs to take back with you to your home country. Morocco is no exception. There are so many unique things to buy in Morocco! Just by walking down the medina streets, you will see thousands of beautiful art objects. There are Berber carpets, pottery shops, spice and perfume shops, and glittering gold teapots and so many other fun things to shop for! The difficult thing about shopping in Morocco is knowing how much to pay for each item, and when to bargain.

There are many carpet shops in Morocco, especially in the medinas. Each one will sit you down as they unfold carpet after carpet, telling the tale of how they came to be. You will watch in amazement with a cup of mint tea, as they show how intricately knotted they are. There is a rainbow of colors, patterns and sizes to choose from. There are modern style carpets, and antique carpets. Each carpet has a story behind the rows of tiny knots that make up the whole design. Sometimes the shopkeepers will exaggerate the authenticity of the carpet, and ask for a price more than its worth. You shouldn’t hesitate to bargain for a price that you are more willing to pay. You should examine the carpet beforehand to make sure that it is in good condition.

The pottery of Morocco is well-known. The usual colors are the traditional blue and white, in hand painted designs. A fun excursion would be to go to the place where they are made and watch the painters carefully draw the patterns on the pottery. No two pieces are exactly the same. Sometimes there is silver metal twisted around it to decorate it a bit more, or other colors are added. You can find Moroccan pottery in any color, not just the blue and white. It would be fun to have little tajine pots for a cool salt and pepper holder. Before you buy one, make sure there are no smears or cracks and that the coloring is good.

One of the best places to visit during a tour of the medina is the spice shops. They have any spice you could dream of, along with perfumes, healing balms and lotions. All the lotions are scented with flower oils, made in Morocco. The shops also feature saffron, the expensive spice that women handpick out of the centers of flowers. They have cures for every ailment, from snoring to aches and pains. The shop is full of intriguing smells and sights. Some of the spices are pretty expensive, because of the time taken to harvest them, but still, do not be afraid to bargain boldly.

For a true memento of Morocco, you might want to bring back a silver teapot. The Moroccan hospitality always offers mint tea, and it might be fun to try and make that at home. You can walk into shops full of sparkling plates and pots. You can decorate your walls at home with the hand-engraved gold plates, if they are too fancy to eat off of.

Morocco is a better shopping place than any mall or supermarket because it is all hand made and has its own character. The items are all right there and don’t have to be advertised on any commercial, it advertises for itself. Come enjoy the beauty of Morocco and all the treasures that it holds.

About the Author

Currently living in Fes, Morocco, Jeff Wilson is the US representative for Experience It! Tours offering custom travel packages to Morocco and travel to Libya

Gabriola Woman Spotted in Morocco

Feb 15th, 2012
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Article by Carol Martin

Gabriola woman spotted in Morocco! Snake charmers, colorful fabrics, rich spices, and breath taking architecture define the beautiful country of Morocco. Whether it’s a romantic holiday for two or a family adventure, or me-myself-and-I, that you’re thinking of planning, Morocco has got everything for you. A bit of an adventurer I set off from Gabriola.

Notwithstanding the butterflies in my stomach, Morocco has been in my heart for a very long time. So, here I go, and I hope you enjoy the journey with me.

The art buffs will certainly enjoy the busy streets, the museums, and the beautiful photos that will come out of a trip to the sand dunes, Atlas mountain tops, and palaces. Here are my top 5 recommendations of things to do in Morocco while you’re there:

1. Explore Marrakech. History and art consume the region of Marrakech where tours from old tombs to market places take place daily. Walk the city and explore the richly ordained palaces as you take in the essence and beauty of the Moroccan culture.

2. Join a cooking class. Getting to know the cuisine of Morocco is not quite like learning how to make the food yourself. There are several classes that you can take that I would recommend to truly experience the flavors of Morocco. Classes can cost as little as EUR 38 to as much as EUR 160.

3. Adventure tours. Adventure-seeking spirits are going to enjoy going on trails as well as quad biking through the rough landscape. There’s nothing quite like the feel of the wind in your hair and the sound of a loud engine to give you that perfect adrenaline rush that you need. Follow your guide and drive your own vehicle as you explore the beautiful country.

4. Shop. Whether you choose to head out in the day or at night, Morocco’s busy streets will be filled with interesting trinkets left and right to fill your vacation with great gifts to take back home. Morocco is oozing with vibrant fabrics that anyone who collects would want to take home. It’s a whole other culture on its own, and shopping along the streets of Morocco doesn’t get any better than that.

5. Take off on a romantic balloon ride. So you might have heard of the hot balloon rides in Morocco; but nothing can compare to the scenic view that you will get when you’re above Morocco. Take in the rich culture and all its wonderful colors from up in the air and you certainly will not regret it. It’s a must-do for couples who need time for themselves and a necessity for all who wish to fall in love with the Moroccan country.

Morocco… there’s nothing quite like it! It is a country that is as rich and vibrant as its people. There’s no telling what will surprise you next when you are in Morocco. Who can forget the gorgeous and romantic tale of Casablanca that was shot in Casablanca itself? And, who wouldn’t want to head out on a romantic getaway to the city of love, history and art? Back home 2 weeks later, I’m full to the brim with culture, art, music, food of Morocco, but nowhere in the world is there a place like home, Gabriola’s for me.

About the Author

Carol Martin can help you find that perfect place on Gabriola Island Real Estate. Carol is a Licensed Realtor with the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and a Member of the Better Business Bureau “Trusted Realtor”

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