Ruined.

0 comments

Ruined.

It is time to say goodbye to Fes and move on to greener pastures. Quite literally, it felt like we were driving through Ireland it was so green and lush.

If I didn’t know any better, this could be Ireland.

One of our major stops today was Volubilis to go and see some Roman ruins. Now, we have seen a lot of ruins in our travels – I think I’ve said it before, those Romans sure did get around – so we tempered our expectations. If all we saw were a few crumbling rocks with a sign saying that they used to be a huge bathhouse, or a kitchen, or a palace, or a car, we would believe that the archeologists knew what they were talking about and then we would try to picture it, unsuccessfully, for ourselves.

It was a cold, rainy and windy morning so there weren’t a lot of people there, which made us a bit nervous. Was this a ‘fair weather’ excursion only? Was it so bad that nobody visited? Where is everyone??

That is not ink or dye. My fingers actually turned blue they were so cold! Yikes. Imagine coming to Africa to freeze your fingers off.

We needn’t have worried. As soon as we walked through the ticket gate, we could see gates, structures, columns, walls, arches and so much more. These were some of the most intact ruins we’ve ever seen. Sure, they were crumbling down, they’re almost 2000 years old, after all, but what was left standing (okay, to be completely honest – most of the big structures were reconstructed/restored) left little to the imagination. We were able to picture the city, the roads, the shops and merchants and the baths.

We could see all the way from the entrance gate, down the main road, right to the main gate to the other end of the city. It was absolutely incredible. That wasn’t even the craziest part! Nope. In most of the houses, the floors were still intact and many of them were covered in very intricate mosaic tiles depicting stories of Hercules and other gods.

We very easily could have passed on these ruins, thinking that we’ve seen ruins before and do we really want to go see more rocks? It is moments like these that reinforce our decision to travel, to see and do all that is offered to us, to do our very best to be open to all experiences – to just say YES!! It is almost always worth it; for the (extremely) rare occasion it isn’t, what’s an hour out of your life to try something new?

0 Comments

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

Tulum for Tacos

Tulum for Tacos

We are off down the road again, heading south to Tulum. Pretty light day today as we leave our Cancún resort after lunch for the 1.5 hour trek. We breeze into Tulum, find our boutique hotel, The Prana, and get ready for our food tour. Armand of guide for the evening...

Chichén Itzá!

Chichén Itzá!

It’s the day after and the hangovers are starting to wear off, with the help of Burger King. To all the dads out there who’ve been there with me being to only one awake We are on the road at the crack of 11 to go see the most popular ruins on this peninsula - Chichén...

It’s not all about tacos and margaritas

It’s not all about tacos and margaritas

Yes, this is a travel blog and yes, Mexico has been absolutely amazing. There have been so many uniquely Mexican experiences that we've had and there are many more to come. Anna's friend, Teagan, came to cheer her on and even custom made these posters for her!!! But....

It’s all starting to get real

It’s all starting to get real

One more day! Yes, one more day and the World Shoto Cup is underway - and the whole reason why we are in Mexico. Always happy when I’m about head into the court My day started with tennis. I got connected with an instructor here who put me through my paces. It’s...

Merida – Where Mexico Meets the Karate-ka.

Merida – Where Mexico Meets the Karate-ka.

Not that we need a reason to travel (have you met us??!!) but this time there is actually a real reason that we are here in Mexico: karate. The ISKF Shoto Cup is happening this weekend in Merida and we get to watch our daughter compete as she represents Team Canada....

Hangin with the Birthday Boy

Hangin with the Birthday Boy

We are settling into one of our most favourite places on earth to do nothing. And to share this time, our very good friends Chris & Ali are here with us The pool staff are here to attend to our every need. To make sure we are fed and watered throughout each day....

Aaaahhhh…Vacation!

Aaaahhhh…Vacation!

Today was a travel day. We are finally on our way to Puerto Vallarta. Plan A was to get there two days ago but the weather had other plans for us. Hurricane Simon has threatened the entire west coast of Mexico for the past couple of days and the Puerto Vallarta...

SEARS Pose!

SEARS Pose!

With the extra days given to us by the closure of Puerto Vallarta’s airport due to hurricane Simon, we find ourselves stuck still in Mexico City for a couple of days. SEARS? Really?! We decide to check out once was a Canadian institution, SEARS! Yes, it’s still here...

Culture and Coasters

Culture and Coasters

Mexico City is filled with history, museums, and so much culture of which we have seen or experienced relatively little. We thought we owed it to this magnificent city to see something cultural. Every Sunday, a huge stretch of roads get closed down so that cyclists...

Bikes and Tacos

Bikes and Tacos

Two things that seem to go together, bikes and tacos. The first stop is a sweet one, and I go for the pineapple tart - absolutely amazing. The next four stops are all about tacos. Bean, potato, Oaxacan beef, brisket & chorizo, pulled pork, and a pork belly Asian...

More From This Category

Up up and away!

Up up and away!

Amazing start to the day, and freakin early! Our alarm went off at 3:45am because we’re getting picked up at 4:40 at the Angel of Independence monument. Early morning, a time I usually only stir for heading to the airport Who in there right mide would volunteer for...

read more
We Found the People and they LOVE Robbie…

We Found the People and they LOVE Robbie…

On a whim, we bought tickets to the Robbie Williams concert tonight. It is embarrassing to say, but we only really know him from the Graham Norton Show. We knew he is a singer. We knew he is British. We knew he is very popular. We might have thought we knew a song or...

read more
The Possibilities in Puebla

The Possibilities in Puebla

A slow start and light day for us today We wander the streets around our boutique hotel in the heart of Puebla. Wow! What a vibrant city this is. And the food scene is everywhere. I wish I could dive in Huge cathedral right downtown Unfortunately the bug that I’ve...

read more