Leaving Fes we proceeded northwest following N4 and then R413 where the countryside took on a pastoral beauty reminiscent of Tuscany. From there we jumped onto one of the few toll roads in Morocco A5 and proceeded quickly up the coast.
Stopping at a road side rest area we noticed a concrete monument typical of those found in the old USSR that was further despoiled by graffiti. While there we were approached by a local youth who’s sole purpose and industry for the day seemed to be bum cigarettes from any tourist stopping for a smoke.
Continuing on to Tangier we arrived at the Hotel Chellah – the last of the venues set up by our guide Abdellah. As with all our other bookings, our arrival was expected and the hotel was able to provide us with secure parking per our instructions. So secure that we were alone in a backlot where the garbage was parked. Unusual but definitely met our requirements.
The hotel restaurant was quite good providing us with perhaps our best meal so far on this trip.