Snow-capped Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
The Atlas Mountains of Morocco are spectacular without a covering of snow. The snow just adds another dimension to an otherwise spectacular scenery. The photos I am showing today were taken on our way from Fes to Midelt where we stayed for the night.
While it appears that the mountains had a good covering of snow, our guide Said told us that the snow season was late and to that point (December 23rd) the snow fall had be very light.
Although you can’t see it in the photos, somewhere on those slopes there were well established and popular ski runs.
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Col Du Zad in the Atlas Mountains
Col Du Zad, Atlas Mountains
As we drove through and over the Atlas Mountains in Morocco we went through some amazing gorges and also over some very high passes. One of them was theCol Du Zad shown in today’s photos. At 2178 metres (over 7000 feet) it is reasonably high and accounts for the snow lying around. The air was also very cold.
Col Du Zad, Atlas Mountains
Col Du Zad, Atlas Mountains
Atlas Mountains in Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
On our tour of Morocco we passed through and over the Atlas Mountains on several occasions. They are truly spectacular and the passage through these mountains is a memorable experience.
Most people who don’t know about Morocco probably think that the country is just hot desert and drifting desert sands. Possibly the last thing that they think about is snow! Yes – that is snow in the photo above.
However, we didn’t see all that much snow on our trip. Despite it being the middle of winter, our guide told us that the snow season was late and the falls had to that point been very poor (it was mid December) .
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Country scenes in Morocco
Countryside near Ifrane, Morocco
On our tour of Morocco we were constantly amazed at the appearance of the country. It was not at all like we had imagined. Many times we remarked how similar parts of the countryside was to South Australia.
Other parts were very different. The photo above was taken near the skiing resort of Ifrane. Now we don’t have ski fields here in South Australia – it very rarely snows here – but we do have rolling hills like those we saw in this area. The tree clad hills were so similar to those in the mid north of our state or even parts of the Adelaide Hills near home.
Addis Ababa from Entoto Natural Park
View of Addis Ababa from Entoto Natural Park
Clear days don’t happen all that often in the capital city of Ethiopia. The pollution can be very bad on most days in Addis Ababa. When we drove to the top of Entoto Natural Park on our visit there last December, we were fortunate to have a relatively clear day. The view from near the church at the top of the mountain is quite spectacular. My photos on this post don’t really do the scene justice.
Although it was a clear day with lovely sunshine, the air was very crisp and even cold. Not surprising, really, seeing the altitude is about 3200 metres. Fortunately there was very little breeze, so we were able to enjoy our wandering around the beautiful church grounds as well as inspecting the old kings’ palace next door. Photos of both will follow in a few days’ time.
View of Addis Ababa from Entoto Natural Park