On January 31 I fly to Morocco.  (The map below doesn’t trace out the pre-trip extension to the Chefchaouen area and Tangier.)  About 19 days total.  While returning I’ll spend two nights in Paris to perform reconnaissance for a future trip with Yoriko.  There’s no extra airfare and hotels are pretty inexpensive.  Besides, while I’m there Yoriko will be in Japan.

I spent an afternoon in Morocco in 1981, so this won’t count as a new country visited.  But I have at least eight other new countries to visit this year.

Morocco has one of the most complex histories in the world.  It’s been under the thumb of Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, Spaniards and French, not to mention it’s own variety of rulers with their own agendas.  Three most important factors for being conquered: Location, location, location.  Fun fact: Morocco was the first nation to recognize the sovereignty of the USA.  Intelligent folk.

The entire trip is by bus, totaling about 1,500 miles.  (Morocco is about the size of California.) Included is another camel ride.  This will make three times on three continents in two years that I’ve touched a camel (See below).  Amazing.

Most hotels have wifi.  Two nights in a tent though.  I will try to upload photos.  Please feel free to post a comment.  It would be nice to have more comments from real people than spammers.