Canary Islands and Morocco

I've now had a couple weeks to reflect on holiday trip 2019: Canary Islands and Morocco.  Morocco was my first time in Africa and the reason for the trip, and Canary Islands was the perfect start for a smooth segue.

Bea was an absolutely incredible tour guide on Gran Canaria and her passion for her country and the islands was so amazing to witness.  With a lot of similarities to Hawaii, we zigzagged all over Gran Canaria, from mountains to beaches, Daniella getting motion sickness for most of the way :)  Nice people, beautiful islands, what's not to like!

And then....Morocco.  Unique vs everything else I've experienced.  The sights, sounds and smells - it's true what they say, sensory overload.  In Marrakech, the souks, the haggling, the small alleyways with motorcycles flying by, dirt in the air, prayer on the loudspeakers five times a day, the riads.  What a cool experience.

And then onward to the Sahara.  A very long drive, with our tour guide Badr, the girls were champions to survive the car ride, with Marc in the middle seat, driving 2.5 hours offroading to reach the camps.  After Daniella's tears, we were able to secure our camels for a sunset trek.  The dinner was fantastic, as were the Arabic songs around the campfire under the stars.  Next time I will plan an English language song for everyone to sing.  What western song became so popular that even Berbers in the Sahara desert know the lyrics?  After healthy debate back in the US, perhaps Queen, We Are the Champions or even better We Will Rock You.  Hopefully I get a 2nd chance!

And Morocco was yet another example that generally people are friendly and kind.  Always seems to be true.