TRAVEL PHOTOS

Searching for Contrast in Morocco’s Blue City

Chefchaouen doesn’t disappoint

Narrow streets of Chefchaouen — all photos by the author Darren Weir

I was on a mission. Call it a photo safari in one of Africa’s most photogenic cities. I was armed with my camera, my phone, fully charged batteries, and extra photo cards determined to experience Chefchaouen through the camera lens but first, we had to get there.

Much photographed Chefchaouen home — Darren Weir

It was a long day of driving from Fez to Morocco’s Blue City. Our driver kept telling us that he hated Chefchaouen, it was his least favorite city in his country. Since he was from Marrakech I assumed it was some kind of rivalry, but he said he didn’t like it because people were always trying to sell him drugs there.

Donkeys outside of town — Darren Weir

As we approached ‘chaouen we pulled over to a lookout where the whole city was laid out in front of us, rising up from the mountain valley.