The Morocco climate is Mediterranean which means plenty of warm sunny days throughout the year. The winters are cool here and that is why we stayed as far south as possible. Statistically speaking, Morcocco is the fourth most populated African country with over 33 million people.

Public buses are supremely cheap in Morocco and clean. On the local bus from Tafraoute to Taroudant (a mere 164 km/100 miles, we discovered why there are paper cups at each seat. For locals who get motion sickness and there were plenty of them since the route was very hilly. Swell… All I have to do is hear the sounds of upchucking and I want to join in. Other then the military and police coming on the bus every now and then to check identify papers, the bus trip was uneventful. Off the bus, the Hotel Palais Salam is a former pasha’s guesthouse, within easy walking distance and is set right in the shadow of the city walls. The #1 hotel here is La Gazelle d’Or a plush estate of individual bungalows and way beyond our budget.

ex-Marine getting on a public bus in Morocco 

entrance to Hotel Palais Salam, Taroudant, Morocco
There are two wings in this 142-room hotel categorized as Riad I and Riad II rooms situated in the new section and older section dating back to the 1600′s. All the rooms are set around courtyards or the swimming pool…View image… and are gorgeous. The primarily French clientele (including one extended family) usually had the waiters set up long tables for lunch around the swimming pool. Lengthy extended lunches, many bottles of wine…they sure know how to enjoy life.

around the Hotel Palais Salam swimming pool, Taroudant, Morocco
An excellent restaurant specializing in Moroccan and International cuisine and we received over the top service because the Maitre d’ thought ex-Marine resembled the “esteemed” Muammar al-Gaddafi. And you know what…he does…

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A fast walk outside the Hotel Palais Salam past souvenir stands (stopped to browse every time), right turn past the palm trees…View image…into the charming Taroudant souk.

selling outside Palais Salam’s entrance in Taroudant, Morocco 

the walled town of Taroudant, Morocco
Small Taroudant has two main squares and you can walk the entire town? city? in 20 minutes. An absolutely wonderful souk with chances to browse without any hassles. The predominantly Berber population is friendly and no one strong-armed us to buy. Taroudant is definitely not a Marrakesh. Market days are held on Thursday and Sunday when people come from neighboring villages to barter and buy. Up and down the mazes of little streets and alleys inside the city walls and ramparts from the 13th century with jewellers, antique shops…View image… and stores selling Babouches – slipperlike shoes that slide on.

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