People

Culture

The English/Arabic translation begins upon arrival
The English/Arabic translation begins upon arrival
Stop! in Arabic
Stop! in Arabic
Riad Life: Most traditional Moroccan homes (riads) have a living room pool that serves to cool all floors when it gets hot
Riad Life: Most traditional Moroccan homes (riads) have a living room pool that serves to cool all floors when it gets hot
Riad Life: The kids named the room that housed the WIFI router "The Internet Room"
Riad Life: The kids named the room that housed the WIFI router "The Internet Room"
Riad Life: Each room in our riad was decorated with this beautiful crown moulding
Riad Life: Each room in our riad was decorated with this beautiful crown moulding
Thom is quick to kick back and relax wherever ther are pillows
Thom is quick to kick back and relax wherever ther are pillows
Gold door inside the Medina
Gold door inside the Medina
The Moroccan Souk: Souvenirs for sale!
The Moroccan Souk: Souvenirs for sale!
Tanned leather ready for sale to an artisan
Tanned leather ready for sale to an artisan
Finished product: leather ottomans
Finished product: leather ottomans
Souk Life: Artisans At Work
Souk Life: Artisans At Work
Souk Life: Metal Statue Artisan at Work
Souk Life: Metal Statue Artisan at Work
Souk Life: Metal Artisan at Work
Souk Life: Metal Artisan at Work
Souk Life: Glassworks for sale
Souk Life: Glassworks for sale
Souk Life: Dyes are naturally made from plants
Souk Life: Dyes are naturally made from plants
Souk Life: Furniture artist
Souk Life: Furniture artist
Souk Life: Pets for sale....chameleon anyone?
Souk Life: Pets for sale....chameleon anyone?
Souvenir stand outside Imlil. Once you finish shopping you can drink fresh orange juice and watch the clouds go by.
Souvenir stand outside Imlil. Once you finish shopping you can drink fresh orange juice and watch the clouds go by.
Butcher stand in Imlil
Butcher stand in Imlil
Ait Ben Haddou is a village along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ait Ben Haddou is a village along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It's location near a riverbed makes Ait Ben Haddou attractive to caravans and travelers.
It's location near a riverbed makes Ait Ben Haddou attractive to caravans and travelers.
Ait Ben Haddou has been the location for many TV shows and movies throughout the years.
Ait Ben Haddou has been the location for many TV shows and movies throughout the years.
Four families still live in the village today. Can you imagine what life is like in this primitive place?
Four families still live in the village today. Can you imagine what life is like in this primitive place?
These are the palm groves Niki imagines when reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
These are the palm groves Niki imagines when reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Food

Mint tea is the most popular beverage in Morocco
Mint tea is the most popular beverage in Morocco
A tagine is the central part of most Moroccan meals
A tagine is the central part of most Moroccan meals
Moroccan chocolate cake
Moroccan chocolate cake
Emma captions her "chocolate happy face" photo
Emma captions her "chocolate happy face" photo
Tea at the home of our Imlil tour guide, Omar
Tea at the home of our Imlil tour guide, Omar
Stress and patience during a touristy meal at Ait Ben Haddou
Stress and patience during a touristy meal at Ait Ben Haddou

Nature

Grand Atlas Mountains
Grand Atlas Mountains
Grand Atlas Mountains
Grand Atlas Mountains
One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill
As we drove higher into the mountains it became clear that we were unprepared and underdressed
As we drove higher into the mountains it became clear that we were unprepared and underdressed
Snow covered village
Snow covered village
Souvenir shop closed due to weather
Souvenir shop closed due to weather
Tichka is the highest elevation in the Grand Atlas Mountains
Tichka is the highest elevation in the Grand Atlas Mountains
Tichka sign in French. Aside from Arabic, French is the official language of Morocco.
Tichka sign in French. Aside from Arabic, French is the official language of Morocco.
The valley below Toubkal National Park, near the Berber village of Imlil. At 4,167 metres, it is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains,
The valley below Toubkal National Park, near the Berber village of Imlil. At 4,167 metres, it is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains,
The village of Imlil
The village of Imlil
Given its proximity to Toubkal, Imlil is home to many trekkers attempting to summit the mountain.
Given its proximity to Toubkal, Imlil is home to many trekkers attempting to summit the mountain.
Valleys and snowy peaks in the Grand Atlas Mountains
Valleys and snowy peaks in the Grand Atlas Mountains
Another view of Toubkal
Another view of Toubkal
The beginning of our "Three Valleys" tour and hike
The beginning of our "Three Valleys" tour and hike
Apples trees and babbling brooks make for a scenic start of the tour.
Apples trees and babbling brooks make for a scenic start of the tour.
As water gets louder, you know you're nearing the waterfalls.
As water gets louder, you know you're nearing the waterfalls.
Our tour and hiking guide Omar helps the kids cross the stream.
Our tour and hiking guide Omar helps the kids cross the stream.
Waterfall 1
Waterfall 1
Waterfall 2
Waterfall 2
Family in front of waterfall
Family in front of waterfall
How lucky we are that our kids still travel with their stuffed animals!
How lucky we are that our kids still travel with their stuffed animals!
Our family camel ride was a success
Our family camel ride was a success
The kids named our camels. This guy is Larry, and he tried to buck Thom off his back twice! Shame on you, Larry!
The kids named our camels. This guy is Larry, and he tried to buck Thom off his back twice! Shame on you, Larry!
A cat near a food scale in the souk. Hmmmmm.....
A cat near a food scale in the souk. Hmmmmm.....
Nature photos of Morocco would not be complete without a tribute to all the cats!
Nature photos of Morocco would not be complete without a tribute to all the cats!
A cat brazenly invites itself to our lunch table
A cat brazenly invites itself to our lunch table

Entertainment

Holding the monkeys in El Jmaa el Fna
Holding the monkeys in El Jmaa el Fna
Thom's monkey decides to groom him and declare which male is really in charge
Thom's monkey decides to groom him and declare which male is really in charge
Thom gets dressed as an Arabian Knight in the souk (for Mom's entertainment)
Thom gets dressed as an Arabian Knight in the souk (for Mom's entertainment)
Morocco is home to two major movie studios: The CLA Studios and the Atlas Film Studio. Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy and so many more movies were filmed here. The interactive sets are great to keep kids entertained!
Morocco is home to two major movie studios: The CLA Studios and the Atlas Film Studio. Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy and so many more movies were filmed here. The interactive sets are great to keep kids entertained!
Panoramic shot of the movie desert
Panoramic shot of the movie desert
Movie set used in Kingdom of Heaven
Movie set used in Kingdom of Heaven
City of Jerusalem?
City of Jerusalem?
Back side of the city
Back side of the city
Our young actors are angry at the gates
Our young actors are angry at the gates
Emperor Thom gives a speech
Emperor Thom gives a speech
Movie studio buddies
Movie studio buddies
Movie well...for water or wishes?
Movie well...for water or wishes?
Little actors
Little actors
Thom and Emma peer down from the rooftop
Thom and Emma peer down from the rooftop
THIS is how you know a kid has had a great day!
THIS is how you know a kid has had a great day!
Thom assumes the role of a Roman Senator
Thom assumes the role of a Roman Senator
Back side of a castle
Back side of a castle
The set of Cleopatra
The set of Cleopatra
Cleopatra entrance
Cleopatra entrance
Emma rides the Sphynx
Emma rides the Sphynx
Emma pets her invisible movie cat
Emma pets her invisible movie cat
Kids on Cleopatra's Set
Kids on Cleopatra's Set
Thom might actually be able to translate these hyeroglyphics. He is obsessed with Egyptian mythology!
Thom might actually be able to translate these hyeroglyphics. He is obsessed with Egyptian mythology!
Row, Emma, row!
Row, Emma, row!
Oops! In shackles for not rowing fast enough.
Oops! In shackles for not rowing fast enough.
Emma adopts a movie star look
Emma adopts a movie star look
When boredom on a train gives way to entertainment. Sorry, Dad!
When boredom on a train gives way to entertainment. Sorry, Dad!

Technology

Cell towers are the lifeblood of the new world
Cell towers are the lifeblood of the new world
Village life in Morocco, however, would not be possible without the donkeys to carry cargo up into the hills.
Village life in Morocco, however, would not be possible without the donkeys to carry cargo up into the hills.
Donkey!
Donkey!
Even in the mountains progress is defined by construction
Even in the mountains progress is defined by construction