Brixton Brewery

John is getting into exploring different Craft Beers. (Purely for comparative and educational purposes. Well, that's his story and he's sticking to it.)

One of his new favourites is Brixton Brewery.

Ancient Moroccan Ruins

Morocco has a long history of human settlement.

Inhabitants include Jews, Romans, Arabs, and Christians. There were battles, and victories, and more battles, and more victories, and.....




Architecture and culture are intermingled and reflect the ancient inhabitant's lives.

Marrakesh to Toubkal National Park in the Atlas Mountains

From Marrakesh we took a day trip to Toubkal National Park in the Atlas Mountains.

On the way out we stopped at small town called Ashi.

We were there the day of their weekly market, which caters to locals from the surrounding rural community. It is a very basic market.

They don't get tourists often, so each of us had our own "personal tour guide", a new BFF, glued to us as we wandered the market.

Casablanca

Casablanca is home to one of the largest mosques in the world - the Hussan II Mosque. It was built by, none other than, King Hassan II.

The top of the minaret is 60 stories high. Perched on the top is a laser light, which points to Mecca.

It is huge.

It is opulent.

It is overwhelming.

Started in 1986, it was completed 7 years later, in 1993.

Christmas Holidays: Medinas and Souks in Morocco

"Christmas in Morocco?" you ask.

With more than a week off work, a need for sunny skies, warm days, and a "To Visit List" that included Morocco, we put it all together and went - at Christmas.

Being in a Muslim country over Christmas means that all the usual cues; Christmas carols, Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, nativity scenes, etc., are absent.

Within an Arab medina, a small walled town, are the souks. They are vibrant, fascinating and photogenic shopping markets.


Even without the frenzy of Christmas Shopping Day Countdowns, Black Fridays, or Cyber Mondays, the drive to entice consumers to purchase is everywhere.

Southern Spain - Andalucia

This year we decided to have a different Christmas experience - and went on a vacation to Lands Unknown. (Well, unknown to us.)

We chose a two-part trip, including 3 days in southern Spain, starting in the coastal city of Malaga.

Too much money

Some people just have way too much money.

I saw this car in Kensington, a posh area of town littered with many VERY expensive cars.

This one drew a crowd of people taking photos, which made me curious, so I Googled the vanity license plate - "BAII BYY".

The 2011 Mercedes CLS 3501 is covered in a million Swarovski crystals.