Fez, one of the oldest city founded in the Arab Empire, is by far known as for its madina. UNESCO categorized the madina as
a World Heritage Site in 1981. The city wall around the madina was still used nowadays. Slowly, funds were allocated to repair
parts of the fallen madina.
We took the Ryanair from London Luton airport to arrive at Fez, only to know that we were travelling in Morocco during the first week of
Ramadan. Everything was either closed or slowed down. We got to the our riad inside the madina, a very neat riad with charming characteristics.
We then hired a tour guide, showing us around the city, and of course went through the alleys inside the madina. It was quite a
experience to walk through the madina. We saw different parts of the market, selling fresh goat cheese, olives, mint leaves or even camel meat.
We also visited different leather shops. The tough part of our travelling was that during Ramadan, there were not much choices in terms of
food. On top of that, when it was about dinner time, the entire city shut down because everyone went home to eat.
Overall, I, personally, wasnt impressed by Fez. I hoped to travel there again, perhaps during another time.
Fez International Airport.
Some of the old city walls, those holes are for ventilation, seriously?
Windows off the staircase of our riad.
Rooftop Terrace of our Riad.
From here we could see the east side of the the madina
Our riad has a good decor
This is a typical Moroccan pattern they used on lamps
Simple straw sticks make a good shade.
Yes, it's me again.
One of the Palace for the King in Fez
A little western style showed here outside of the Palace.
Olives are one of the major exports of Morocco.
This is the Jewish part of town, used to have a lot of Jewish living here. Most moved to Israel after 1955.
What are these things ? The one on the right is for your hair styling, the one on the left is actually skin soap.
Hey girls, pick your shoes here?
You will see a lot of these ventilation holes on walls, as it is very hot inside.
We went to visit a tile factory
Fez is located along the river, where lots of mud can be to make good tiles.
They explained to us that, they will lay the moist mud here to dry to the right texture.
Small tiles are hand-chip by hand, one at a hand, won't believe it, huh?
So, the master craftman, will lay the tiles upside to build a pattern ... and then pour cement on it. When it is dried, it becomes a mosaic table top (like the one behind the craftman)
Yes, each of these pieces was hand-chipped, then laid out in a pattern, then become a table top, then it will cost USD $1500 to buy it !!
They also do exactly the same to build a fountain.
More different pattern and shapes of table top.
You have to admire the time and dedication to chip each of these small tiles from a big tile.
I am not a big fan of olives, but they are delicious
Donkeys and mules are still used to transport stuff, heavy stuff
What's that ? A camel head.... yes, camel meat here is a delicatesse.
Fresh goat cheese ....
Poor guy .... not even have his head up to enjoy the rest.
ok... Those men in front of the big pots are actually chefs. They sat here to be hired. It's a tradition here for chefs to bring their own pots.
Restoration was everywhere inside madina.
Dye pits ...
More colurs ...here...
Zoom-in, ... .
Man, it's hard work here, they could only work about 5 hours a day, as they need time for the dye to settle in the leather.
so .. afterwards, these are the end-products
Our gourmet lunch, .. started with 11 appetizers.
Mint tea.... Arab culture.
Mules are used to carry heavy load through alleys.
This was in front of a big mosque. They built this "wall" so that everyone passes here has to bow to the mosque in order to get through. Smart !
This is the mosque (we werent suppposed to take pics)
The so-called "Blue Gate" of Fez Madina.
These sweets were only sold during Ramadan celebration.
I was going to try some, .. sweet !
Brochettes, ...BBQ sticks like kebab.
Local kids were playing along the alleys
This made me recall my younger days in HK.
These are the suicide bombers .. arent they ?
Each of these tiles were hand-chipped.
Wood door inside the mosque. Check out the craftsmanship.
These were hand-chipped too.
Non-muslim are not allowed into any mosques, but this one, it is a museum.
It's tough during Ramadan, .. no food no drink....perhaps a sip doesnt count?
There are so much details put into building a mosque.
Big flea market just ouside of the madina.
Really, they were sellig these ... craps.
Another bites of those sweetie sweets.
Loads of loads of .... I dont even know what they are ?
These are the newer buildings inside the madina ... equipped with satellite TV.
This old man was carving a spin fly ...
He carved all these chess sets ....and jewelry boxes.
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)