Chefchaouen: The Blue City of Morocco

One of our favorite things as a family is to try and explore some of the smaller tourist destinations in popular countries. We had our fair share of Marrakech, Casablanca and Fes in Morocco - the big 3 cities for tourists.

We really wanted to go off the beaten path and learned about Chefchaouen from a few people.

Located against a stunning and scenic mountainous backdropped and blue in every direction that you can see – it ended up being one of our favorite stops during our trip to Morocco.

Since we made our decision fairly last minute to visit the city, we weren’t left with too many hotel options and ended up staying in a fairly cramped local hotel room that barely fit in 2 beds and our suitcases.

We also had to lug our bags up through steep stairs – which was exhausting without having to push around a toddler in a stroller.

After our first mountainous climb, we settled in to our room and shortly after started venturing out for dinner. We were in awe of the city and the people. Over the next 2 days, we enjoyed every single bite of every single meal. Given the peak travel time in May, we also had to hop into a lot of different smaller cafés to cool down with a bottle of water or an ice cream.

While we did enjoy our brief 48 hour stint in Chefchaouen, we likely couldn’t have spent any more time in the city as we somehow managed to walk the city more than twice in the two days we were there. Some people even visit the city as a day trip and if you’re a rapid walker, that may be a better option for a lot of first-time travelers.

Review: The White Camel Agafay

As part of our Sidecar Tour of Marrakech, our guides recommended that we escape the frenzied energy of the city and book a half day camp in the tranquil desert. Excited by the prospect of a relaxing oasis in the scorching heat, we eagerly called to reserve our spot at The White Camel Agafay, after considering several other options.

After arranging for a taxi through one of the recommended companies, we embarked on an hour-long journey towards the camp, navigating through bumpy and unfinished roads. But as we arrived and checked in, any discomfort from the ride was quickly forgotten with a refreshing welcome drink in hand and the temptation of an infinity pool just steps away. Our requests for specific drinks were met with difficulty, as the camp seemed to be more focused on providing a party atmosphere for groups of bachelorettes.

As the sun began to set over the horizon, we took a dip in the pool before indulging in a delicious meal. At only $45 per person, this experience was an incredible deal and served as the perfect finale to our first trip to Morocco.

Looking back, my only regret is not booking The White Camel Agafay for a full day. The thought of being completely disconnected from civilization and fully immersing ourselves in the serene natural surroundings is something I wish we had experienced during our time there.

Sidecar Tour: Marrakech

Morocco is a vibrant country. The colors, the food, the spices and the smells add so much depth and character at every turn. However, after spending a week across three cities - we wanted to do something different at our last stop in Marrakech. After a bit of looking around, my wife found a sidecar tour in Marrakech.

As we signed up for the Marrakech Insiders tour, we couldn't help but feel a bit taken aback by the high cost - almost $600 for three of us, and that included our toddler. It seemed like a lot to spend for just a few hours of exploring the city.However, it ended up being one of our best experiences during our entire stay in Morocco.

It was clear that the guides were passionate about showing us around the city and its nearby surroundings.

Our tour started in the morning, right after breakfast. We met at a café, not too far away from our hotel where we met our guides. They were both incredibly friendly and immediately made us feel comfortable as we strapped on our helmets and began our journey.

As we rode through the bustling streets of Marrakech, we were able to see a different side of the city. The old buildings, narrow alleys and traditional markets gave us a glimpse into the local way of life. It was refreshing to see beyond the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions and immerse ourselves in the everyday life of locals.

Another highlight of the tour was riding through lush gardens outside of the city walls. It was peaceful and serene, a stark contrast from the chaos of Marrakech's medina.

The best part was that the guides were honest and only did this for fun. They treated us to coffee and snacks, even going out of their way to get orange juice for our young child. Despite our attempts to pay, they kindly refused and marched on, showing their true passion for sharing their city with others.

My only regret was doing this on the last day of our trip rather than prioritizing this unique activity at the very beginning of our trip.

Total Solar Eclipse in a Pilatus PC-12

Earlier this year, on April 8th 2024 - I had an opportunity to fly from New Jersey to Buffalo, New York in a private Pilatus PC-12 to experience the path of totality.

Having never done this before, I did a bit of research and picked out my gear. For this trip, I would be taking photos with my trusty Sony a1; the Sony 100-400 GM lens and a solar filter. 

I also wanted to capture the experience of the flight. For that, I had a Leica Q2, a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and a GoPro Hero 12. Along with a lot of batteries. A lot. 

Given the excitement of the flight, I got to Teterboro Airport nearly an hour before departure and after checking in - grabbed a few snacks and drinks before the flight.

A good friend of mine was piloting another aircraft from the same company and kept texting me updates as the flight path changed due to ATC restrictions and environmental factors.

After a quick briefing, we took off around 1:25pm. Our destination had changed from the Buffalo region to a waypoint called PATTA.

As we climbed higher into the sky, the excitement onboard was palpable. Everyone was eagerly anticipating a memorable flight.

The pilot announced that we were approaching PATTA and would soon be entering the path of totality.

As we crossed into the path of totality, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The sky started to darken, almost as if night was falling upon us.

I quickly grabbed my Sony a1 and started capturing the stunning view outside. The sun had turned into a black circle with a fiery halo around it.

The whole experience felt surreal - like being in a completely different world.

The view from above was unlike anything I had ever seen before - a mesmerizing combination of light and darkness.

After about 3 minutes of being in the path of totality, we exited back into daylight. But the excitement onboard continued as everyone shared their photos and experiences from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

As we made our way back to New Jersey, I couldn't stop smiling at how lucky I was to have witnessed such an incredible natural phenomenon from high up in the sky. It was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for years to come.

Once we landed back at Teterboro Airport, there were cheers and applause from all passengers for our successful flight. As we disembarked, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this amazing opportunity and the memories I had created.

Emotions on Film: People Photography

In the age of digital and instant photography, the art of film photography is objectively ridiculous - an expensive and often delayed form of gratification with a high percentage of missed shots. But when all the magical ingredients align perfectly, film produces images that evoke raw emotions. As I look back on my photos from this past summer - from the landscapes of Alaska to the bustling streets of Morocco - these are some of my most treasured capture.