Spain/Morocco 2012: 08 Meknes

"The wisest men follow their own direction..." - Euripides

(Brightly coloured walls)

Day 08: 19 Nov 2012

FEZ – MEKNES – MARRAKESH

After breakfast, we started our journey towards Marrakesh via Meknes. Meknes is also known as “Moroccan Versailles” a city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today The city was founded by Moulay Ismail in the 17th Century. The region is the major producer of Moroccan olives and citrus fruits.

(Visiting the bazaar)

Meknes is claimed to be among the most beautiful city in Morocco. Places of interest visited include Bab Mansour , mausoleum Moulay Ismail and the Old Meknes. Bab Mansour gate, named after the architect, El-Mansour was completed 5 years after Moulay Ismail's death, in 1732. The design of the gate plays with Almohad patterns. It has zellij mosaics of excellent quality. The marble columns were taken from the Roman ruins. The gate itself is now used as an arts and crafts gallery; entry is by a side gate.

(The Art and Craft gallery)

Despite his extreme brutality, Moulay Ismail is highly revered by Moroccans themselves. So much, that his mausoleum is ranked as an Islamic sight and only parts of it are open to non-Muslims.

(The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail)

We visited the Pavillion Des Ambassadeurs and the underground prisons where tens of thousands, mainly Christian slaves kidnapped from European villages as far north as Iceland by Moroccan pirates, to work and die to complete the more than 50 palaces, the 20 gates and the city wall of 45 km long.

(The underground prison)

Lunch was at Qassar Al-Terrab Restaurant on the way to Marrakesh. It was already dark when we arrived in Marrakesh and went straight to the town square to have a glimpse of the vibrant night market. As it is too cold to stay in the open, the bus took us for dinner, entertained by live Moroccan musicians and belly dancing.

(A lively belly-dancer show)

Later, we checked in Al-Andalous Hotel for two nights.

(Our lodging for two nights)

👈👈 2012: Fez, Morocco 

                  2012: Marrakesh, Morocco 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 09 Marrakesh

"A person often meets his destinity on the road he took to avoid it..." - Jean de La Fontaine

(A painting of Marrakesh)

Day 09: 20 Nov 2012

MARRAKESH

After breakfast we started our tour of Marrakesh, the second oldest city of Morocco and also known as the “Southern Pearl”. It is situated in the interior of middle Morocco, just north of the High Atlas mountains, on the Haouz plain and south of the seasonal river Wadi Tensift. Marrakesh is a Berber city, with little influence by Arabs. Marrakech has been the capital of Morocco, as well as for smaller countries up through history. There are many monuments in Marrakesh, most famous is the Koutoubia mosque, the old city, the souk and the Jamaa El-Finaa that attract most tourists. It is from Marrakesh that Morocco has received its modern name.

(A poster of a film festival)

Our visits include Bahia Palaces and Manara Gardens swimming pool. As the black slave Abu Ahmed rose to power and wealth towards the end of the 19th century, he had the El-Bahia palace built by bringing craftsmen from Fez. The structures tell a lot about the taste of the nouveau-riche of its time, and the high protective wall appears intimidating. The Saadian tombs belong mainly to the 16th century, dominated by koubbas to indicate the burial grounds of members of the Saadian royal family.

(Beautiful colourful stained-glass window)

There two main mausoleums here, the finest was built to house Ahmad-Mansur, the second was built for his mother, Lalla Messaouda. The mausoleum of al-Mansur is made up of three small halls, and 66 children, wives and concubines of the royal family were buried here. Right outside, there are about 100 more tombs.

(The seven immortalized Saints of Marrakesh)

We visited the Menara Garderns, set slightly out of town. It offers not only a pleasant escape from bustling Marrakesh, it also has one of the most photographed settings of Morocco. This is a romantic place for couples. The pool with the main building, the menza, is the perfect spot in summer to escape from the incredible summer heat of Marrakech. It is adorned with both orchards and olive groves. The pavilion and the basin existed from earlier times, but the present structure was built in the middle of the 19th century.

(The Manara Garden)

In the afternoon we were given ample time to wonder around the old medina and the Jemaa el-Finna Square. There is almost always something going on here day and night. During most of the days, performers of every kind put up their shows, continuing until the evening when food trolleys force their way in and occupy half the area and all of the attention of the audience. From the Jemaa there are several entries to the fantastic souks and anyone who needs to relax for a while, there are plenty of café around the Jemaa, where the main attraction is looking at the ongoing activities.

(The spice souk)

After visiting the Spice and Argan Oil shop it was a free and easy shopping activities for everyone. Later we walked quite a distance for a Moroccan dinner before we boarded the bus back to our hotel for a good rest.

(A horse carriage on a chilly night)

👈👈 2012: Meknes, Morocco 

                   2012: Casablanca, Morocco 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 10 Casablanca - the White House

"No great man ever complains of want of opportunity..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

(The famous Sinatra Cafe)

Day 10: 21 Nov 2012

MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA

Early morning we checked-out of the hotel and headed to Koutoubia Mosque. The mosque is first built in 1147, but demolished since it was not correctly aligned with Mecca. It re-erected and was completed in its present shape in 1199. It has ever since been the landmark of Marrakesh rising up from the low houses and markets around it. Its style is a Almohad, but a good deal of simple Andalucian elements added to it.

(The Koutouba Mosque)

After taking a group photo in front of the mosque, our bus left Marrakesh and headed towards Casablanca. We reached Casablanca in time for lunch at Anfa Ranch Restaurant.

(Anfa Ranch Restaurant)

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. The Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in the world, and the largest port of North Africa. It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Casablanca is a modern city and beautiful in its own respect.

(A tall glass wall in the mosque)

Casablanca is the setting of the 1942 film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The film has achieved worldwide popularity since then, having also won three Oscars.

(A famous street in Casablanca)

Casablanca is also home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory on the Atlantic. The mosque has room for 25,000 worshippers inside, and a further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 meters. The mosque is also the largest in North Africa, and the third largest in the world.

(The view of Hassan II Mosque)

(The archways in the mosque)

We visited the seaside corniche and the Light House and passed by the Justice Court, Mohammed V Square and the Royal Palace. In the evening we were allowed to wonder into the Old Medina for last minute shopping. The Old Medina in Casablanca attracts fewer tourists than the medinas of cities like Fez and Marrakesh.

(The lighthouse by the seaside)

We had dinner at Sinatra Restaurant and later checked-in Anfa Palace Hotel for the night.

(Le Palace D'Anfa Hotel)

 

👈👈2012: Marrakesh, Morocco

2012 Kembara 4NR Dana Madrasah Kemboja...

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home...” – D. D. Runes

(Advertising for Garmin in front of Angkor Wat)
(Standing: Tawfik, Hj Burn, Syawal)
(Sitting: Hj Din, Yati, Mun, Mus, Khitwan, Zali)

Kembara Dana Madrasah Kemboja

Malaysia - Thailand - Laos - Cambodia
Total mileage: 6,900 km

(18 - 31 Oct 2012)

Next Trip: Spain/Morocco 2012..

4NR DMK 2012: 01 KL - Phatthalung, Thailand 👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 01 KL - Phatthalung, Thailand

"Persistent questioning and healthy inquisitiveness are the first requisite for acquiring learning of any kind..." - Gandhi

(Motorbikes lined-up ready to roll...)

Day 01: 18/10/2012 (Thursday)

Route: KL - Bkt Kayu Hitam - Phatthalung

Distance: 611 km

Hotel: Tawandao Resort Hotel, Phatthalung

The seven DMK riders and two pillions met at Sg Buluh R&R at 0730. Azim, Chon and Syed decided to ride with us until Phatthalung or Cha’am. At Gurun R&R we settled insurance and immigration card. We changed some foreign currencies at our normal coffee shop in Changlun. Border clearance at Bukit Kayu Hitam was smooth. We had late lunch @ Norlela restaurant in Danok then solat at a nearby mosque.

(Our reliable Vulcan 900...)

We reached Phatthalung around 1930 and checked-in Tawandao Resort Hotel. Later we went for dinner at a Muslim roadside stall for meehun soup.

👈👈 2012 Kembara 4NR Dana Madrasah Kemboja...

                  2012 DMK: Phatthalung - Cha-am, Thailand👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 02 Phatthalung - Cha-am, Thailand

"When a goal matters enough to a person, that person will find a way to accomplish what at first seemed impossible..." - Nido Qubein

(Syed will ride solo to Koh Samui...)

Day 02: 19/10/2012 (Friday)

Route: Phatthalung - Cha-am

Distance: 682 km

Hotel: Cha-am Villa Resort

Everyone had breakfast in the room. We had bread and tuna and hot nescafe. Our ride to Cha-am was smooth. Syed left the group halfway and rode towards Koh samui alone. On the way we had to fix Zali's flat tyre at a petrol station, and the rest had light lunch while waiting. We reached Cha-am around 1930 and went direct for dinner at a muslim tomyam restaurant before checking in Cha-am Villa Resort by the beach.

(Valve problem...)

(Stopped for solat...)

Later that night, we had an hour of body massage to soothe tired muscle.

👈👈 2012 DMK: KL - Pattalung, Thailand 

                   2012 DMK: Cha-am - Udon Thani, Thailand👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 03 Cha-am - Udon Thani, Thailand

"The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching you goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach..." - Benjamin Mays

(Watching the sunrise at Cha-am beach...)

Day 03: 20/10/2012 (Saturday)

Route: Cha-am – Kamphaeng Saen detour – Udon Thani

Distance: 795 km

Hotel: Ban Chiang Hotel, Udon Thani

(2 riders will ride home...)

We had breakfast of bread and tuna in the hotel room. Azim and Chon split from the gang and rode back to KL. Seven bikes headed towards Udon Thani, a border town between Thailand and Laos. We took a detoured route to avoid entering Bangkok but there was still a massive traffic jam on the way, made worse by road repairs and accidents.

(Accident causing massive traffic jam...)

We stopped at a Masjid Al-Ridwan at Chorat for solat and we were served a hefty lunch by the Masjid people. We reached Udon Thani around 2230 and had a late dinner at a muslim restaurant near a mosque. Checked in Ban Chiang Hotel and my body was so heaty that I slept sweating wet.

(After a delicious lunch...)

👈👈 2012 DMK: Phatthalung - Cha-am, Thailand 

              2012 DMK: Udon Thani - Vientiane, Laos👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 04 Udon Thani, Thailand - Vientiane, Laos

"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught in either one..." - John Wooden

(Checking a flat tyre before the start of the journey...)

Day 04:- 21/10/2012 - Sunday

Route: Udon Thani – Nong Khai border - Vientiane

Distance: 80.8 km

Hotel: City Inn, Vientiane

(Riding towards the border...)

(Riding on Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos...)

(A welcoming smile...)

(Briani lunch @ Noor Restaurant...)

Checked out at 0600 sharp. From here on a 4x4 vehicle will join us to Cambodia. The bikers were supposed to ride to the border early but were a little delayed to look for Shawal’s misplaced bike key. We managed to reach the border early and beat the morning traffic and busloads of tourists. The border clearing was smooth with little hassle. We went for an early lunch at one Indian Muslim Briyani Restaurant along the Mekong River. We checked in City Inn Vientiane Hotel and had ample time to rest until 1700.

(Riding in Vientiane...)

(A prominent landmark, Pha That Luang)

Late afternoon we went for a walk along Mekong River and watched the beautiful sunset. We bought some souvenirs at the night market and had Nan and Tandoori chicken for dinner.

(Watching the sunset @ Mekong River...)

(The majestic statue of King Anouvong)

Tonight we had another hour of therapeutic body massage...

👈👈2012 DMK: Cha-am - Udon Thani, Thailand

             2012 DMK: Vientiane - Xino, Laos 👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 05 Vientiane - Xino, Laos

"The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention..." - John Burroughs

(Off-roading for 78km...)

Day 05: 22/10/2012 - Monday

Route: Vientiane - Xino, Laos

Distance: 640 km

Hotel: Lattanaphonephasouk Hotel, Xino

(Dry and dusty...)

(Better part of the route...)

We planned to ride early but the hotel provided breakfast only at 0730. To safe time we took an alternative dusty and rough off-road route of 78km and managed to cross the distance safely. We stopped at a small grocery shop to freshen-up and rest before we proceeded through the normal trunk road. Stopped at Pakxan petrol station for last refueling and rode on towards Pakse. It was already dark and dangerous to ride Laos trunk road at night as you have to be at all time alert of pedestrians, motorists and even cows and dogs crossing the road.

(A 4x4 vehicle following close...)

(Solat time, any where possible...)

(Dangerous riding at night...)

We decided to check-in a hotel in Xino and had simple dinner of white rice with our own food brought from home. Some bikers managed to wash their motorbikes to get rid of mud and dust.

The off-roading made us so tired and tonight we slept like tired dogs...

👈👈 2012 DMK: Udon Thani - Vientiane, Laos

                   2012 DMK: Xino - Siem Reap, Cambodia👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 06 Xino, Laos - Siem Reap, Cambodia

"The only time you mustn't fail is the last time you try..." - Charles F Kettering

(A good wash after a muddy off-roading...)

Day 06: 23/10/2012 -Tuesday

Route: Xino, Laos - Mukdahan border – Poipet border - Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Distance: 650 km

Hotel: Reaksmey Chenrias Hotel, Siem Reap

(Fast and efficient border clearance...)

(Riding to Thailand border...)

We had breakfast of bread and cold Nescafe. Around 0745 we rode towards the Laos - Thailand border abound 45km away. The Mukdahan immigration clearance was simple and fast. Once we crossed into Thailand we refueled and had breakfast at 7eleven. We rode direct to Poipet immigration Thai - Cambodian border, and clearance was with no hassle, simple and fast.

(Entering Cambodian border...)

(One for the album...)

(The boys doing their break dance...)

When we crossed the border we had to cover our headlamps as running lights are only used for VIPs in Cambodia. We stopped for solat at Cambodia tourism and Cultural Centre and later rode in the heavy rain to Siem Reap. After we checked-in Reaksmey Chenrias Hotel, we went to a restaurant next to the mosque on a tuk-tuk. In Cambodia the motorbike gang needs to pay for ground fees to the organizers for lodging and food.

We had an hour of foot reflexology at a spa next to our hotel...

👈👈 2012 DMK: Siem Reap - Phnom Phen, Cambodia

2012 DMK: Vientiane - Xino, Laos 👉👉