Vouloubis and Meknes

23rd October 2024 – Value at Vouloubis

Dogs allowed, so no one had to take turns to sit outside with Corrie and Zoa. It’s a huge roman site that was an outpost of the Roman Empire. Still much to be excavated.

We spotted where the tour groups were standing, which alerted us to something of note. Mostly mosaics. Fairly well preserved, although how long will that remain the case with bring exposed to the elements. And a layer of sand dulling the colours. Twas on the outreaches of the Roman empire. €10pp. So totally good value.

Brian spoke to a mosaic restorer … she said the site is a major revenue source for the government. Very little of the ticket money is spent on preservation.

We stopped off after at Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Famous for the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, which non-Muslim are barred from entering. And supposedly, the only round minaret in Morocco. We failed to spot it despite the steep climb to viewpoints.

*The long corridor to the mausoleum. A wooden bar to prevent non Muslim entering. Muslims duck below to be reminded they are* *subservient*

*At least there were few motorbikes in these* *streets,* *just* *children and hopeful opportunistic* *tour* *guides,* *hoping* *for* *coins*

*Green roofs of the mausoleum complex. Couldn’t spot a round minaret*

Drinks in the square … it was explained that no ice cream anywhere. 😔 A waiter fetched out for J’s coke and Brian’s coffee. We watched near fisticuffs until the police calmed it down.

24th October – Meknes a Miss

Brian decided not to join us as he thought it’d be too hot today. So we had space in the car for our French campsite neighbours. They were stood by the road waiting for a bus that has no timetable. They’d waited 2 hours yesterday to go to Moulay Idriss. Only 30 mins each way, so I had a lot of practice speaking French.

The Mausoleum here just worth a visit. But the Kara Christian prison was closed. I’d read that it was a labyrinth of underground tunnels and rooms with no windows. Prisoners were dropped from above. Closed for renovation. The fortified walls were also being worked on. Spraying concrete over them. And all over the street lighting and pavements. Not worth going out of your way for.