The wind rustled through the palm fronds as my camel’s soft, splayed feet pressed upon the honey-colored sand, his rhythmic gait lulling me into a peaceful reverie. The shady palms of the Amezrou Palmeraie towered above, dangling bushels of golden dates over our heads, plump berries so sweet that when the guide offered me one, I ate it so quickly that it dissolved before I had a chance to savor it.
Our camel caravan was in the middle of a two-hour trek through the oasis near Zagora in Morocco’s Dra River Valley, a bewitching place of burnished sand and scorching desert, surrounded by a sea of green palms on both banks of the river.
I had come to Morocco to escape the frenzied activity of my life: to try to slow down and truly appreciate things, something I never did at home. In the Dra, I found a place where time stands still. Here, where distant kasbahs look like palaces out of the Arabian Nights, where boys ride by on donkeys, and women wash clothes in water channels as their children play nearby, I had the opportunity to learn a new–older–rhythm of life.
Until a century ago, the Dra River Valley was part of the lucrative trans-Saharan trade route. Thousands of camels made the hazardous two-month journey across the Sahara to the great market towns of the Niger River–Timbuktu and Gao–carrying salt, dates, barley and goatskins. On return, they brought the gold dust, slaves, ivory and ostrich feathers that made North Africa wealthy. With the arrival of coastal shipping in the late 19th century, this overland route went into decline. So did the Dra Valley until recently, when it was moderately revived by the new trade in tourism.
Beginning in the modern regional administrative center of Ouarzazate, the paved road snakes 193 kilometers through the valley along the Dra River, which, in April, was moderately full. After Zagora, the last real city before the Sahara, the road continues another 95 kilometers through a desolate, dramatic landscape to M’Hamid, where it ends, literally disappearing into the sands of the Sahara.
Strategically located at the junction of three rivers, Ouarzazate was once the base of power over the south’s vital trade routes. With many modern hotels, restaurants and the 100-year-old lavishly decorated Kasbah Taourirt, the town makes a good overnight stop and base for exploration. The stunning surrounding areas have also become choice locations for Hollywood filmmaking.
The most well-known location is At Benhaddou. Thirty-two kilometers northwest of Ouarzazate, this UNESCO-listed world heritage kasbah is so spellbinding that over 20 films have been filmed here, including “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Jesus of Nazareth,” “Jewel of the Nile” and the recent blockbuster, “The Gladiator.”
After crossing the shallow, reed-strewn river on stepping stones, we entered the ancient village through orchards of almond trees. Though the crenellated, red-ochre walls of the ancient buildings are the stuff of fantasies, many have been renovated for the movies, and it is hard to tell which are original and which are not. But somehow, it didn’t matter. At Benhaddou is both old and new, as we could tell from the mud walls of a local home where photos of the late Moroccan king hung beside a poster of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet from the movie “Titanic.”
In Agdz, an hour from Ouarzazate, the lush, green trees of the oasis suddenly appeared. Standing out against a backdrop of stark brown mountains, the cultivated oasis is speckled with pise. kasbahs and ksour rising like huge sandcastles from the desert.
After visiting the ancient rock carvings of Timiderte and learning about the prehistoric reptiles that once roamed the valley, we arrived in Zagora. Modern, dusty and disappointing at first glance, Zagora is the last town of any substantial size before the Sahara. But as we explored the area, we discovered it made an excellent base for camel treks or trips to the different villages in the Dra.
The nearby village of Amezrou is home to the old Jewish Kasbah, once the center of life for a community of talented jewelers. Though most of the Jewish population left for Israel in the aftermath of the Six-Day War, Berber craftsmen have taken over the tradition and their workshops are open to the public.
At the potters’ cooperative in the holy village of Tamegroute, beautiful pieces of pottery are created much as they were throughout history. Tamegroute also houses a theological college dating from the 11th century and a distinguished library that once held 40,000 volumes. The library contains a collection of illuminated Korans, the oldest of which are written on gazelle skins.
At the far end of Zagora’s main street stands a much-photographed, half-serious French sign: “52 Days to Timbuktu.” By camel, that is. A reminder of the old trade routes and caravans that made this region rich.
Though we couldn’t cross the Sahara by camel this time, we rose early one morning and drove 25 kilometers to the Tinfou Dunes. Here, I finally had the chance to stop and watch in awe as the bright orange orb of the sun rose over the dusky dunes, their colors slowly changing from gray to reddish-brown, and finally to tawny gold. Nearby, an inn run by a family of artists sports another version of the famous Timbuktu sign, this one claiming “51 Days to Timbuktu.” We were getting closer and so was I.
Back in the date groves of the Amezrou Palmeraie, an intoxicating wind blew by, bringing with it the scents of oleander, mint and orange, and I saw from the back of my camel that our trek, and my time in the Dra, was coming to an end. I reached up and pulled another date from a tree. This time, I had learned from the desert, and I ate it slowly, savoring every bite of sweetness and sunshine. Life should be enjoyed, I thought; savored like a succulent Moroccan date. For if you don’t take it slowly, it can slip away in the blink of a camel’s eye.
Travel writer Melody Moser’s articles and photos have appeared in publications such as The Orlando Sentinel, The AAA Touch, Arabella Romances Magazine, Connecting Solo Travel News, The Globe, and GoNomad.com; she also writes regularly for The Tourist News, a supplement to The Miami Herald. She can be reached through her travel blog at http://www.traveldreamsite.blogs.com/
Stand by the shores of Casco Bay on the coast of Maine and you may expect to find ocean as far as the eye can see. Instead seemingly endless islands dot the seascape. Sometimes called the calendar islands, there is rumored to be an island in the bay for every day of the year.
Stretching from Cape Elizabeth to Cape Small these islands with their rocky shores and rustic way of life define the stereotypical New England coastline. Mostly uninhabited, they provide a serene escape from everyday life. Their natural beauty and their sheer numbers create a place one could visit every day and still never have completely explored. With an island for every day of the year there is more than enough shelter from the wind to allow everything from large fishing vessels to solo kayaks to roam the bay. While sandy beaches are few and far between here, the rock strewn shores and miles of nature trails can supply a continual source of enjoyment.
If you know where to look the Casco Bay islands will also provide a glimpse of Maine maritime history. Being located on the eastern most part of the country, these islands served their time during World War II as bases and look outs for German U-Boats. Great towers and forts still remain on Jewel Island, and while mostly converted to homes now, the military buildings on Great Diamond Island are hard to miss. During the war anti-submarine nets and mines were deployed at many harbor entrances and the islands took on a front line role. Even before WWII Casco Bay held military purposes. In 1858 Fort Georges was constructed and armed for the Civil War, Spanish American War, and was used to store submarine mines during WWI.
Many opportunities await those looking to enjoy the islands for their less historical characteristics. Chebeague is the largest of the Casco Bay islands, and one of the few with a year round population. Ferry service takes visitors from Portland or nearby Cousin’s Island to the perfect setting for an adventuresome hike or leisurely bike ride. You can finish the day off with a delicious dinner or nights rest at the breath taking Chebeague Inn. Great Diamond Island also offers an exceptional dining experience at the Diamond’s Edge restaurant in Diamond’s Cove. Peaks and Long islands both present dining opportunities to their guests and their proximity to Portland makes them popular tourist attractions.
If you are looking for a little less populated destination then you have literally hundreds of choices. You can relax on the beaches of Sand Island, watch the seals bask on the rocks of French Island, or setup a picturesque camping site on one of the Gosling islands. Many of these smaller islands will require you to provide your own transportation, but kayak, canoe, sail, and motor boat rentals all provide easy access.
Whether you are looking for fine dining, a historical stroll, or a relaxing day on the beach Casco Bay offers something for every visitor and an island for every day of the year.
About the author:
Nate Soule is a travel enthusiast and helps maintain the travel website AcrossDistance.com
England?s colourful and frequently scandalous past is maybe best echoed in it’s historic house & nowhere is this more visible than in those properties owned by the Royal Family and their ceremonies.
For an extended period now the English Monarchy has been believed to be essential to the prosperity of the UK. They have fascinated visitors for years & continue to stimulate the curiosity of foreign holiday-makers of all age bracket. Buckingham Place has been regarded as being the Capital’s home of the English monarchy from the time when Queen Victoria became instated as queen in eighteen thirty seven. its one of a tiny amount of operating royal palaces enduring in in Great Britain these days.
Buckingham Palace is used for the most part as an office, but can as well be altered into a festivity venue for the fifty thousand guests invited to the Palace yearly. There are more than six-hundred quarters, including nineteen state quarters, 52 royal & visitor bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, but more extraordinarily an in-house theatre & swimming pool.
All over the spring and summer, travellers can go around the attractive state bathrooms, that help form the heart of the Palace. These impressive digs are enhanced with a selection of the best assets from the Royal compilation of works, including sculptures by Canova in addition to paintings by the many famed painters for example Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto. Travelling to England then why not go on a Buckingham Palace tour, with Enjoy England.
Great Britain’s long & time & again sordid past is perhaps most rendered in its buildings, and nowhere is this clearly perceptible than in those properties attached to the Royal Family and their revelry.
For an ongoing time now the English Monarchy has been believed to be central to the success of the United Kingdom. They have charmed day-trippers for many years & maintain to stimulate the love of sightseers of all age band. Buckingham Place has been regarded as being the Capital’s home of the English monarchy since Queen Victoria became inaugurated as queen in eighteen thirty seven. It is one of a petite amount of operational royal palaces enduring in in Britain at present.
Buckingham Palace is used largely as a workplace but can additionally be altered into a festivity venue for the fifty-thousand invitees invited to the Palace every single year. There are over six-hundred residences, including nineteen state lodgings, fifty two royal & guest bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, but more extraordinarily an in-house cinema & swimming pool. Vital information on Buckingham Palace can be found here: www.enjoyengland.com.
Throughout the spring & summer, overseas tourists can trek around the attractive state libraries, which help shape the heart of the Palace. These super digs are highlighted with an assortment of the best riches from the Royal collected works, including sculptures by Canova as well as paintings by the many illustrious painters including Rembrandt, Rubens & Canaletto.
In today’s employment environment, it is more important than ever to be well schooled if you work or want to work in a technical field. It is not enough to have an interest, a desire or even a working knowledge of the vocation that you want to pursue.
Technology is changing faster than at any other time in history; an employer needs to know that you have what it takes to persevere in this competitive work environment. The best way to prove yourself is to earn a degree from a technical school that specializes in your field.
An education in technology often begins several years before a student is ready to enroll in a technical school. Students are often exposed to technology as a subject in high school; this is a good environment for the students to decide if they want to pursue this as a career option. If they do, after graduation, they have the option of attending a traditional university with a technical major, a brick and mortar technical school or even taking some classes online.
While most traditional universities will have a solid technical school with in them, they can be cost and time prohibitive, especially if you are an older adult looking for a career change. For students who find that money and time are an issue, it may be wise to focus on a type of school that focuses solely on technology, as the curriculum is pinpointed to only the major being studied, without other elective classes be mandatory for graduation from the program.
Regardless of the type of school you decide to attend, there are some considerations to keep in mind. You will want to be sure that the school you choose has been accredited by a recognized national agency for technology. If it is not your degree or certificate will not be worth much in the work place.
You will want to be able to visit the school, if you plan to stay on campus, this is especially important. You are looking for features of the school or the student life that appeal to you and your personality. This visit will probably require an appointment, but should not be difficult to complete.
While you are conducting your visit, ask about issues such as crime rate at the school, if previously completed coursework from another institution will transfer over, if they have their state licensing.
It is always a good idea to check out more than one technical school before making your final decision, if it is at all possible. This will allow you to make an informed decision that could affect the rest of your life.
Linda Moore writes on many subjects technical colleges, www.b-a-success-top-culinary-cooking-schools.info, and
www.y-not-fashion-design-school.info