Nick B

The coastline of NW Sardinia.

The coastline of NW Sardinia.

A Bronze-Age temple in the middle of a lush green forest.

Two dolphins breach the surface of the bay in Alghero.

Sardinia has been wonderful so far. Stunning coastline with winding roads. And I just started exploring up into the mountains in the interior. I even visited a Bronze-Age village with a temple to the god of water… Truly magical.

View through my cabin’s porthole onto the Mediterranean.

The foggy sea and coast of Sardinia as the island comes into sight.

Me with two port workers who helped me get ready to get on the ferry.

My bike got a special Porto Torres sticker because the ferry continues on after to mainland Italy.

I’m now in Italy on the island of Sardinia. I took a 15 hour ferry from Barcelona and just made it ashore. Will start exploring tomorrow!

A view up toward the ceiling of the nave of Sagrada Família

The stone walls are lit up in green and blue light from the stained glass windows.

A stone figure looks pensively.

Self-portrait with Sagrada Família in the background.

Sagrada Família is… just… I’m actually speechless. Even after seeing so many photos of it of the years, it’s just such a uniquely beautiful building.

One of those captcha things. This one says ‘select all images with bicycles. Click verify once there are none left’. There are 9 squares - 4 contain photos of bicycle seats, with the remaining 5 showing the beautiful head and face of a grey greyhound with a white stripe going from the top of their head to the tip of their nose.

Hats off to whoever did this (and the beautiful model).

View of Sagrada Família from up on the hill at Park Güell

The incredible facade of Casa Batlló by Gaudi with ornate windows and balconies.

Self-portrait amongst Gaudi architecture at Park Güell

The gargoyles and spires of the Cathedral of Barcelona

It’s my first time ever in #Barcelona… and I’ll say what everyone does… WOW. #Gaudi is kind of the “Monet” of architecture… exposed to the point of banality, but seeing it in person really is INCREDIBLE. Tomorrow is my reservation for Sagrada Família… then a midnight ferry to Sardinia!

An orchard that looks like snow but is actually white flowers.

View through town to the Castell de Morella up high on a rocky outcropping.

A waterfall plummets from a cliff at the mouth of a canyon.

The road winds between orchards that are surrounded by mountain ridges.

I’ve been driving north up the Mediterranean side of Spain along the coast and also through the mountains. Spring has arrived and the orchards are beautifully colored. So many castles perched in rocky outcroppings.

Black and white photo of the main dam reflected in the water of the reservoir.

A view of the entire dam structure.

A stone logo of the hydrographic association.

View of the old works of the Embalse de Benagéber

I drove by the incredible Embalse de Benagéber (dam) today. It used to be called the “Generalísimo Reservoir.” The dam is still functional, but above it are the ruins of the old works, which are REALLY impressively big.

Oranges in bins with chutes ready to load them onto trucks.

View down over Benalmádena from the top of the gondola on Monte Calamorro

My motorcycle on the edge of a cliff with a road that passes through a narrow tunnel in in the mountains.

My motorcycle in front of a very large telescope at Calar Alto Observatory

In the past few days I’ve worked my way from the coast near Malaga up through the coastal mountains, and then right up over the very high and snowy Sierra Nevada mountains.

My motorbike in front of of a concrete shed.

The stack of the ferry.

Sunset over the Andalusian coast with Gibraltar in the distance.

Black and white photo of Gibraltar taken from my ferry.

Left Tangier in the morning, explored the windswept and mountainous coast, and then took a ferry from Tangier MED to Algeciras. Great views of Gibraltar.

A blue door decorated with an old rifle and gardening shovels in the old medina.

Waves crash against the walls of the Caves of Hercules

Tourists ride on camels on the beach just south of Tangiers.

The famous lighthouse stands n the point of Cape Spartel

It’s my last full day in #Morocco on this trip. Finishing up in Tangier with stops at the Caves of Hercules, Cape Spartel, and the old kasbah and medina neighborhood.

I’m at a nice restaurant in Tétouan 🇲🇦, listening to two people (American and British) talk about how they’re NOT foodies. She eats one meal per day made up mostly of supplements. He eats mostly pasta, with very soft noodles, and canned tomatoes. He just said “I’ve never used an oven… IN MY LIFE.”

Different arches and doorways of the medina of Tétouan.

The ancient Bab Al Okla gateway into the old medina.

The massive cemetery of Tétouan viewed from the hill above.

A collection of tiles and woodwork as seen in the old town of Tétouan.

#Tétouan is such a jewel of a town. So much quieter than Fès but with beautiful serpentine streets, a massive cemetery in the middle of town, leather tannery, lively medina, and such friendly people.

The gorge near God’s Bridge Canyon.

A landslide has caused the road to disappear.

The famous blue town of Chefchaouen

Fresh fried fish for dinner.

Made my way north through the mountains, through the famous blue town of Chefchaouen, and then to the Mediterranean coast. Lots of the signs of the flooding from the past weeks: landslides, big holes in the roads, rivers full to the brim.

Black and white photo of a triangular square in Fes with many people busy walking.

A narrow street in the medina of Fes with a worker pushing a cart and vendors in front of their stalls.

A brass chandelier hanging in a riad.

Black and white photo of an old wooden door with many parts and iron bolts.

Snapshots from a day in Fès.

Yellow hides are hung up to dry.

Pink dyed leather pelts are dried on a balcony.

The Chouara Tabakhanesi leather tanner with workers in the pits working the hides of different animals.

A worker walks around a blue dye pit at the tannery.

The Chouara Tabakhanesi leather tannery in Fès is incredible. I got a tour down in the cleaning and dyeing pits, and then got a birds-eye view from the balconies above.

A man sleeps in the sun on a chair in front of a yellow wall.

Beautiful pink doors and arches in the town of Sefrou.

The fortress walls of Sefrou.

The old wall and market stalls in the town of Sefrou.

I visited the beautiful old towns of Sefrou and Bahlil today. Sefrou had a wonderful market taking over the entire downtown.

Posing in front of the ruins of الزاوية الدلائية

A wild monkey sits in a patch of sunlight in Aguelmam Azegza National Park

A sheepherder with his flock in Aguelmam Azegza National Park

My way is blocked by a huge cedar tree that fell across the road.

Drove north toward Fez. Visited an ruin of a mosque on a hilltop, then explored Aguelmam Azegza National Park and saw wild monkeys (Barberry Apes?), lots of sheepherders, and just beauty all around me.

“The Cathedral Imsfrane” - a large rock formation in the High Atlas

View from inside a cave out toward the mountainous landscape.

A self-portrait at the summit with a signpost indicating the height of the mountain.

A dramatic view of the landscape of mountains and the valley and the clouds.

I hiked up “The Cathedral Imsfrane” today - a large rock formation in the High Atlas. The day started with thick fog concealing everything, and then it started lifting, coming in waves of fog that half hid the mountain.

A mountain pass cut into the cliffs in the High Atlas Mountains: Aghanbou N'Maskou.

A snow covered peak in the High Atlas Mountains.

The impressive “Cathedral” rock formation. Known as “Imsfrane” locally.

A mountain pass with deep snow high up in the Atlas Mountains.

Truly discovered the #HighAtlas! I’ve had some amazing days in Morocco so far, but yesterday was truly EPIC. Started in high valley surrounded by mountains, and then climbed up up up a mountain pass. Deep snow, barely passable. Huge mountains all around. Then down to “The Cathedral” mountain.

A group of women walk along the road in front of an incredible mountain backdrop.

My reflection in a mirrored door at the dinosaur footprints area.

The mountain valley around Massif M'goun with the Kasbah M'goun in the middle.

A white stork flies in the sky.

My route through Morocco continues high up into the Atlas Mountains. Started at the Iminifri Natural Bridge (the road goes right over a huge cavern) then ascended to near Massif M'goun (4068m tall).

A painting of an African mother nursing a white baby with her dress extending off the canvas onto the floor.

Self-reflection in a mirror at the African Art Fair in Marrakech.

Self-portrait wearing a fez hat at the Loft Art Gallery in Marrakech.

Portrait at the stunning La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech.

On my last day in Marrakech I went to the African Art Fair and saw such amazing contemporary African art. Such a magical city and combining that with art took it over the top.

Black and white photo in front of plants at the Jardin Majorelle

Me posing in front of the YSL logo at the YSL Museum

The blue buildings surrounded by plants at the Jardin Majorelle

Agafay Desert hills with the Atlas Mountains in the distance

The last two days involved visiting the #JardinMajorelle, YSL Museum, and then disappearing into the Agafay Desert.

Self portrait wearing a new scarf I purchased in the streets of Marrakech

A view through a stereoscope of a snake handler in the market in Marrakech from the late 19th century.

Black and white photo of a store selling tea pots in the souk.

The dolls wearing traditional costumes in the Musée de l’Élégance Marocaine

#Marrakech Day 2: exploring the islamic architecture of Medersa Ben Yousef, finding local handicrafts (new scarf), discovering the quirky dolls of the Musée de l’Élégance Marocaine, and stepping back in time with the photos of the House of Photography in Marrakech.

A sunset view over the roofs of the souk toward the main mosque.

Smoke from a fire just off of the main square.

All of the brass lights in a part of the souk dedicated to lighting.

Outside the souk sellers are hawking colored clothing.

Arrived in #Marrakech yesterday. What a hustle bustle compared to the countryside. So beautiful though and so much to explore.

Salt crystals held in the hand of a salt miner.

A black and white landscape shot of a mountain valley with high snow covered peaks in the distance.

A view from inside the salt mine to outside with a miner visible.

My motorbike at the edge of a snowdrift high up on a mountain pass.

Another day, another adventure. I rode up a steep mountain pass from Aït Benhaddou up to the outskirts of Marrakech. Along the way I stopped at a very old and remote salt mine and was shown around by an active miner.

Ouarzazate Solar Power Station with its mirrors reflecting the sun onto a central tower.

Me behind the wheel of a green bus at Atlas Studios

The red mud walls of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

Black and white photo of an movie set of an Egyptian temple at Atlas Studios.

Drove across central #Morocco today along the south side of the Atlas Mountains (I’ll cross them again tomorrow). Saw a huge solar array, visited #AtlasStudios film sets, and finished the day at the UNESCO World Heritage site Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

Me with a local outside the Kasbah Amridil

Vibrant colors of sunset over the Kasbah Amridil

The casbah of Skoura

The pottery studio with the master potter.

The oasis town of #Skoura was a wonderful surprise. I knew very little about it before arriving, but discovered an incredible restored #Kasbah (Amridil), palm groves, extremely friendly people, and such good vibes everywhere.

A day of canyons: Todgha Gorge to the Dadés Gorge.

A view of the High Atlas mountains.

The red rock cliffs of the Gorges du Todgha

Two mountain camels high up in the High Atlas mountains.

A nomad and my guide chat in a mountain pass.

I hiked high up into the mountains around the Todgha Gorge today. Got some amazing views of the High Atlas mountains, met some mountain camels, and just enjoyed being far out into nature.

Camels braving it out in a sandstorm on a high desert plain.

Meeting some new motorcycle friends at a restaurant at lunch.

Me and my motorcycle high on the rim of Gara Medouar crater.

Gara Medouar crater with a sandstorm clouding the sky.

More epic #Morocco! 🇲🇦

Left #ErgChebbi dunes on my morning camel, then drove through my first ever #sandstorm (cue Darude)!! It was wild and very windy and I got sand in my teeth. Visited #GaraMedouar (الجبل المدور) which felt totally post-apocalyptic in the storm. Met some other cool riders too!