Morocco Part 2..The High Atlas Mountains and the Drive to the Sahara

The first leg of our trip

was spent at an all-inclusive resort.

We spent two nights here.

The kids 

and Steve

loved the water slide!

It was so nice to be in the hot sun!

On Friday morning our driver

for the next four days came to our

hotel to pick us up.

I researched different tour companies

and we ended up with

Authentic Morocco

They were a fantastic company 

to work with.

We traveled over 1000 km

(over 600 miles)

in four days.

That may not seem like a lot..

but this is not highway driving.

We climbed up and over those

High Atlas mountains..

and it was beautiful

and nail biting at times!

Our driver Simo

was the best!

We got to know him well

over those four days.

I admit I was a bit nervous

about the long days in the car

with the kids.

But, they did great.

Simo made frequent stops..

made sure we had lunch at 

clean restaurants..

and the best part?

No wifi!

It was such a great way to

unplug for a few days.

One of the stops we made

was to see how Argan oil is made.

These Berber women are shelling,

sorting and then extracting the oils

from the kernels of the Argan tree

that is endemic to Morocco.

Argan oil is known for its health

and beauty benefits.

I'm kicking myself for not buying more!

No guard rails on these 

very windy,

narrow roads!

We sure missed Stephen.

Our lunch spot on Friday..

And then we did a little rug shopping

:)

We arrived at our Kasbah early evening..

we had the most amazing night here!

(this was all included in our tour package)

We stayed at 

Kasbah Ait Ben Damiette

located at the foot of the High

Atlas Mountains.

The owners,

Yannick and Collette are French

and the most lovely and attentive

hosts.

After settling in,

we sat by the pool

listening to jazz music

while the kids played ping-pong

and bocce in the garden.

Malfoud

(pronounced Ma-foot)

served us Moroccan tea.

I wandered around the property

and found this woman baking bread

for our dinner.

Soon we were being called for dinner..

and what an amazing dinner

it was!

Dinner was a French Moroccan 

infusion.

Delicious,

beautifully presented

and under the stars.

After a great nights sleep..

breakfast al fresco!

Homemade juices,

yogurts and jams.

Eggs, breads and delicious

coffee.

And soon we were off again...

A very memorable stay here..

we hope to return someday.

Tomorrow..

another day of driving..

beautiful country

and people!

Morocco Part 1

Where do I start?

The breathtaking views..

the vibrant colors..

the many interesting people we met..

the "glamping"..

the souks..

or how about the 

food poisoning we got?

I know in time my memory

of Morocco won't be of that..

it will be of the great adventure

we were on for nine days.

But,

for now..

we're still recovering.

And believe me,

my family will tell you

I took every precaution against

this.

Every one traveled with 

their own hand sanitizers

and anti bacterial wipes.

I armed ourselves with 

probiotics.

We brushed our teeth with bottled water.

And yet..

it still happened.

And it can happen anywhere.

I don't blame you Morocco!

We will be back.

And so will I.

With more pictures 

and stories of our trip.

But for now..

my BRAT diet is 

calling..

(bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast)

:)

March and April in Paris

Spring is here!

We have been blessed

with beautiful blue skies,

warm temperatures and

plenty of sunshine!

I am not kidding when I say

that I still pinch myself 

over the fact that we live here!

Almost three years here now

and I continue to feel blessed.

It's been a busy few weeks.

Many visitors,

lots of school activities,

plenty of lunching at outdoor cafe's..

all good..

just busy!

Some exciting family news! ...

Griffin was accepted into 

first grade :)

The application here for school

is no joke.

High fees,

interviews,

essays etc.

He will attend another 

bilingual school..

this one much closer to our 

apartment.

We can walk!

It is a sweet little school

and we're very excited he'll be

going there next year.

Griffin has grown up so much 

this past year!

I have absolutely no regrets

keeping him out of preschool..

he's kept up with his peers

academically and socially.

(iphone pic taken at drop off

at Griff's school on Spring day!)

I LOVE that his school is so diverse.

His classmates are from all over the world.

And, it's been fun for me..

getting to know the moms and dads 

of all these great kids!

(another iphone pic taken on my 

47th bday! We face-timed with Stephen so

we could all be together to sing! :)

Stephen was initiated into a fraternity

recently at the University of Miami!

Phi Delta Theta.

I'm hoping this will be a good

experience for him.

I know he's made some 

great friends throughout the pledging

process.

I can't believe he's finishing up his first 

year of college in a few weeks!

He flies home here to Paris May7th!!

(birthday selfie)

Steve took me to Spring

for my birthday!

It was such an 

amazing dining experience.

March 20th..

first day of Spring at 

Spring :)

(another iphone pic)

Spring is beautiful in Paris!

Gorgeous sunsets...

One sunny Sunday 

Steve and I took the boys

over to the Louvre

to ride scooters and bikes.

Some friends were visiting 

last week and I took them

up to Montmarte and Sacre Coeur.

(photo found online)

Headed here Wednesday!

Riads

camels

tagines

and 

mint tea!!

Avoriaz

April vacation starts tomorrow 

and 

I am finally getting around to 

posting February's!

We headed back to Avoriaz ..

we loved it so much last year

we decided to go again.

It's such a fun, family friendly

ski resort.

We park the car..

(said in my best Boston accent)

and don't see it for a week.

Our place is nothing fancy..

but it's perfect for our family.

We lucked out with a few very sunny days..

Steve and I on a ski date

to Switzerland. 

We have a beautiful view from 

our apartment..

We love our family ski trips..

but Stephen was missed.

Next year, Hannah will go 

on the senior class ski trip so

it'll just be Steve and I and 

the two little boys.

Kids are growing up fast!!