heinäk. 2024 – kesäk. 2025

Lyons Worldschooling Adventure

We're using the world as our classroom. Lue lisää

Seuraa Yhteenveto Kalenteri Jaa

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Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 309
- torstai 22. toukokuuta 2025 klo 17.39
- ☀️ 29 °C
- Korkeus: 380 m
- Marokko Mechouar Fes Jdid 34.058071, -4.98866834°3’29” N 4°59’19” W
More Fez!
22. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Most of the shows we went to were in Jnan Sbil Garden. Some were at a bigger venue:Bab Al Makina
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1 tykkäys
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 310
- perjantai 23. toukokuuta 2025 klo 13.06
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Korkeus: 379 m
- Marokko Fez 34.061853, -4.98374934°3’43” N 4°59’1” W
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Mosaic workshop
23. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Everywhere in the medina are intricate works of art made from thousands of hand cut tiles. This craft is called Zellij. Judah and Susanna took a workshop with Master Adil Moukhlis to learn more about it.

First, the design is created with careful math to ensure everything is balanced and will fit together.

The glazed tile is then cut with a special tool, a "menkach". The hammer tool is used to shape the tile, then bevel the edge so the pieces fit easily together. Our teacher reminded us to keep the tile between the hammer and the metal anvil. Making the tiles symmetrical is *hard*.

Next, the tiles are laid out in a metal frame. The final arrangement is flipped over and properly spaced. We used a pencil for this, and moved the frame against the tile edges to ensure straight edges.

Our teacher sprinkled a little plaster on to the pieces and then sprayed with water. This acts as a first glue so when you pour the plaster, the pieces don't move. After a minute or so, a plastic mix is poured into the frame, covering the upside down tiles. He flattened the plaster with a spoon. The small size we were working with only needed 15 minutes to set.

We flipped the frame, and then used our finger to smooth the plaster and fill any gaps. Lastly, a sponge was used to clean and smooth the plaster, followed by a wipe with a cloth to remove any plaster on the tiles.

While we were waiting for the plaster to set, our Adil wrote our names in Arabic on a tile. We used the menkach to carve out the letters.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja Stunning!!!
20.6.2025VastaaKääntää
2 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 311
- lauantai 24. toukokuuta 2025 klo 13.19
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Korkeus: 378 m
- Marokko Fez 34.062254, -4.98298934°3’44” N 4°58’59” W
2 1 2
Cooking class
24. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We've really been enjoying Moroccan food. And, since Grandpa was visiting, we thought we'd take a cooking class. Aaron couldn't join as he was down with the stomach bug we were sadly all sharing.

We picked up the ingredients in the market uphill from our dar. With the expert assistance of our chef, we made:
⁠Beef kefta with roasted tomatos
•⁠ ⁠⁠Chicken couscous with vegetables
•⁠ ⁠⁠Lamb tajine with dates and apricots
•⁠ ⁠⁠Bissara: dried fava bean soup
•⁠ ⁠⁠Msmen: layered bread, similar to paratha
•⁠ ⁠⁠Zalook: roasted eggplant spread
•⁠ ⁠⁠Taktouka: roasted pepper spread
•⁠ ⁠Ghriba: coconut cookiesLue lisää
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Matkaaja Why?
20.6.2025Vastaa
MatkaajaIt's all about the fluff. You wouldn't recognize the couscous the serve here as the same as what we pour boiling water on
20.6.2025VastaaKääntää
Matkaaja A feast!!!
20.6.2025Vastaa
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3 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 311
- lauantai 24. toukokuuta 2025 klo 22.38
- 🌙 22 °C
- Korkeus: 390 m
- Marokko Mechouar Fes Jdid 34.059182, -4.9916934°3’33” N 4°59’30” W
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Fez finale and Bhalil
24. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
We had one extra day after the festival. We wanted Stan to get a flavour of the country outside of Fes' old city, so we returned to Bhalil.

We had a lovely hike with the aid of a donkey, his owner, and a guide.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja Aw! Beautiful family!
20.6.2025VastaaKääntää
Matkaaja For real???
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MatkaajaAgave - which, as it turns out, is in the asparagus family. Thanks for asking!
20.6.2025VastaaKääntää
3 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 313
- maanantai 26. toukokuuta 2025 klo 16.06
- ☁️ 19 °C
- Korkeus: 2 168 m
- Marokko Imilchil 32.1572, -5.631332°9’26” N 5°37’53” W
2
Road trip south
26. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Our next major destination was the Sahara, with a few beautiful stops on the way. We were amazed at the gorgeous, mountainous landscape that we drove through.

We spent a cold night in Imilchil, meeting local kids and getting Judah a (too short) haircut with a barber who we couldn't really communicate with.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja I’m a little surprised by now that you aren’t just cutting his hair yourself?! You are so self-sufficient it surprises me that you keep going to barbers.
13.6.2025VastaaKääntää
MatkaajaThe teenage need for style superceeds all!
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3 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 315
- keskiviikko 28. toukokuuta 2025 klo 10.54
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Korkeus: 1 640 m
- Marokko Ait Ouglif 31.449617, -5.96496131°26’59” N 5°57’54” W
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Monkey fingers
28. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
These gorges feature unique rock formations known as “Monkey Fingers,” where erosion has sculpted finger-like structures from the red sandstone. What an incredibly beautiful day!
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Matkaaja Poor donkey 😜
12.6.2025VastaaKääntää
MatkaajaThese Morocco pics are making me want to go back and see more of the country. Such a beautiful place
12.6.2025VastaaKääntää
Matkaaja Injured ankle?? Oh no!!!
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3 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 315
- keskiviikko 28. toukokuuta 2025 klo 14.50
- ☁️ 24 °C
- Korkeus: 1 642 m
- Marokko Ait Ouglif 31.454095, -5.96508231°27’15” N 5°57’54” W
Gateway to the Sahara
28. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
The Draa Valley Museum of Art & Traditions was an insightful look at the ways of the nomadic desert people of the region. Our guide was patient and highly knowledgeable. The mud brick building was amazingly cool on the lower floors.Lue lisää
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2 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 317
- perjantai 30. toukokuuta 2025 klo 12.40
- ⛅ 36 °C
- Korkeus: 718 m
- Marokko Zagora 30.307555, -5.82182430°18’27” N 5°49’19” W
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Amzrou
30. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C
"The ancient village of Amzrou was the home of a large community of Jews who left the country around 1958, after having lived for centuries in harmony with the Muslim Amazigh community... It has an old synagogue, which is in better shape than others in the Draa Valley... Blacksmiths, who were trained by the Jews, are still using the models left by them to make fibula (pins to hold garments together) and medallions."

We had an icky time here, feeling like everyone who interacted with us wanted a piece of tourist money. The synagogue didn't feel right, like all the history was renovated out of the place.

In the coopérative des artisans, we saw some beautiful doors and artwork with Jewish themes. Room after room was filled with gorgeous local crafts.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja WOW
16.6.2025Vastaa
3 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 317
- perjantai 30. toukokuuta 2025 klo 16.45
- ⛅ 39 °C
- Korkeus: 521 m
- Marokko M'Hamid El Ghizlane 29.850456, -6.03800629°51’2” N 6°2’17” W
1 1 1
Arriving to the Sahara Desert
30. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ⛅ 39 °C
By the end of May, it's hot in the desert. So, we waited until 4pm to start our journey to the camp. The desert camp where we are staying is run by two brothers who were nomadic until mid-childhood, then settled in the town of M'hamid.

Our driver Mostapha was very skilled at driving in the sand. It seemed a lot like driving in fresh snow. For two hours, we travelled along desert paths that my untrained eye couldn't quite pick out.

As soon as it cooled down a bit, we headed for the sand dunes where we tried a new kind of boarding.

At the music festival in Fes, Mathai re-kindled his love for drumming. He spent a lot of time on the camp drum, learning new rhythms with Aaron and Mostapha.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja FUN
16.6.2025Vastaa
Matkaaja Very cool. So many rich experiences you guys. Can't wait to hear more about your adventures. Kol ha kavod!
16.6.2025VastaaKääntää
Matkaaja Super action shot! They are all!
20.6.2025VastaaKääntää
1 tykkäys
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 317
- perjantai 30. toukokuuta 2025 klo 18.07
- ⛅ 38 °C
- Korkeus: 532 m
- Marokko M'Hamid El Ghizlane 29.887064, -6.11573229°53’13” N 6°6’57” W
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Day in the desert
30. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ⛅ 38 °C
We rose early to sandboard before things got hot. Gorgeous and fun.

The day's plan was to pass the hottest hours in a nearby oasis. Mustafa first drove us to visit two nomadic friends who often host tourists. It was really interesting to see their systems and experience the coolness of their tent in comparison to the beating sun. It was also extremely boring to sit in the tent as Mustapha didn't make much effort to include us in their hanging out. We enjoyed the tea!

We also delighted in eating the yeast bread Hira prepared. She had made a fire in a pile of sand and ash. When the fire had turned to coals, she buried the large disc-shaped dough. We learned that the wet dough quickly forms a crust in the hot sand, keeping it from sinking. She used a knife to scrape and towel to clean the bread, and then passed out chunks of delicious bread.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at a nearby restaurant. The oasis had palm trees and water. Sadly, our tent shelter under the palms had boughts of smelling like cat pee, and worse. We journaled: what are three experiences that have most shaped, changed or impacted you during this trip?Lue lisää
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Matkaaja World schooling!!
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Matkaaja This is cool.
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Matkaaja What are they all?
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MatkaajaI wish I had remembered to ask!!
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Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 318
- lauantai 31. toukokuuta 2025 klo 19.16
- ☀️ 39 °C
- Korkeus: 486 m
- Marokko M'Hamid El Ghizlane 29.853931, -6.21859529°51’14” N 6°13’7” W
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Sunset camel ride & sleeping under stars
31. toukokuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 39 °C
Sand dunes are magical. Shifting shapes. Extraordinary contrasts at sunset and sunrise. Wild.

Erg Chigaga is the largest erg (sand sea) in Morocco. As we walked into the erg from our camp, it felt like a newbie could easily get lost - so many peaks and valleys.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja cool!
14.6.2025Vastaa
Matkaaja Epic!
16.6.2025Vastaa
Matkaaja I was sure the guy in front was your guide! It's Aaron! LOL
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MatkaajaHaha! Totally!!
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Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 319
- sunnuntai 1. kesäkuuta 2025 klo 10.32
- ☀️ 34 °C
- Korkeus: 546 m
- Marokko M'Hamid El Ghizlane 29.825278, -5.72123129°49’31” N 5°43’16” W
1 1
M'Hamid and rest day in Zagora
1. kesäkuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Zagora played a critical role in trans-Saharian trade, which in turn connected the Mediterranean with sub-Saharan Africa. Caravans were organized groups of traders, merchants, and their cargo, traveling together for safety and efficiency. Camels were essential animals because they are well adapted to arid environments and can carry heavy loads. It's incredible to imagine travelling through this vast and challenging landscape.

The caravans traded in salt, gold, copper, hides, horses and slaves. They also influenced culture, art, architecture in the regions they travelled through.

We spent a day refreshing ourselves at a hotel with a pool. And then sweated all night in a building that absorbed heat but had a broken AC unit. In between, we experienced the desert town that truly comes alive at night.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja I love this.
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Matkaaja You look tempted.
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2 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 320
- maanantai 2. kesäkuuta 2025 klo 14.07
- ☀️ 37 °C
- Korkeus: 562 m
- Marokko Tissint 29.905935, -7.31552229°54’21” N 7°18’56” W
Salt waterfall, caves & abandoned mellah
2. kesäkuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C
Tissint means salt in Tamazight. The town of this name boasts beautiful salty waterfalls and palm trees that shock the eyes after so much dry desert. To respect the Muslim town's modesty, Susanna sat in the shade while the boys swam.

In Tata, we visited the Missalit caves. Over thousands of years, the slow dripping of limestone-rich water created these gloopy looking stone formations.

South of Tata, we spent a few minutes looking at the abandoned Mellah of Tazart, a former Jewish walled community. Felt like a ghost town. We read that the town was abandoned after the region dried up; a palm grove right beside made us wonder about that.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 321
- tiistai 3. kesäkuuta 2025 klo 13.30
- ☀️ 33 °C
- Korkeus: 762 m
- Marokko Tigzmerte ⵜⵉⴳⵣⵎⵔⵜ تيكزمرت 29.650005, -8.31531729°39’0” N 8°18’55” W
Drive across Souss-Massa & Mirleft
3. kesäkuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Driving across the Souss-Massa region was stunning.

We stopped briefly in Tiznit, the silver capital of Morocco. Aaron purchased a bracelet. Susanna chatted with a shop keeper and learned that Eid Al-Adha was coming. This festival remembers Abraham's sacrifice of a sheep instead of his son. Typically Muslims kill a sheep, sharing the meat with wider family and the poor. Months ago, the King banned the practice because of a seven-year drought in the country. The drought has reduced the number of sheep herds, while increasing the cost of meat. The King took this action to reduce the burden on families.

We arrived to the coast and the boys immediately wanted to surf. Thus began a number of fairly disappointing surf sessions (waves were poor), but they had fun none the less.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 324
- perjantai 6. kesäkuuta 2025 klo 18.34
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Korkeus: 15 m
- Marokko Aourir 30.506005, -9.68552430°30’22” N 9°41’8” W
Tamraght
6. kesäkuuta, Marokko ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
This lovely town was our home for a week. Far away from Lombok and Ahangama, our other surf town destinations, Tamraght had strong echos of theses places. All around us were hipsters, locals with mad surf skills and long hair (but no where else is this seen in the country), and Western-style restaurants. I wondered how it is for the locals to be swept up in all this.

There were some waves the first two days, and the water was quite warm in comparison to Mirleft. Most days the boys rented a surf skateboard and practiced at the local bowl.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 332
- lauantai 14. kesäkuuta 2025 klo 17.04
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Korkeus: 466 m
- Marokko Marrakesh 31.631597, -7.99544631°37’54” N 7°59’44” W
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Last stop: Marrakech
14. kesäkuuta, Marokko ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
We’ve been to lots of markets in the last 11 months. We’ve also been to a good number of famous cities. Basically, we had very little juice for exploring Marrakesh because in two days, we’d be getting on an airplane for home.

We had a focused list for Marrakesh. One, get some gifts for our loved ones at home. Two, Judah has been wanting to eat the famous Moroccan snail soup. Three, try and get some clothes for the boys. And, lastly, experience the 1000-year old Jemaa el-Fnaa square, "a cultural and historical center that’s been popular for centuries. With its snake charmers, traditional musicians, street performers, and exotic food stalls, it’s an experience that everyone should have." We found our experience both delightful and annoying with all the people trying to part us from our money.

We stoped at the Water Civilization Museum on the way to Casablanca and its airport.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja Chic!!
21.6.2025Vastaa
Matkaaja Whoa…how was it??
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Matkaaja OMG!!!
21.6.2025Vastaa
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2 tykkäystä
Matkaaja Lyons Worldschooling Adventure
- Näytä matka
- Lisää toivelistallePoista toivelistalta
- Jaa
- Päivä 334
- maanantai 16. kesäkuuta 2025 klo 12.51
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Korkeus: 27 m
- Kanada Dorval 45.458053, -73.7525445°27’29” N 73°45’9” W
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Home
16. kesäkuuta, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We strategically packed our bags, borrowing a scale to ensure none of the bags were overweight. A new suitcase was coming home with us, filled with physical memories and gifts. Our living room will have a new carpet from Morocco, which was our second new piece of luggage. Otherwise, all the stuff fit in our backpacks plus, a travel food bag.

Julie Shugarman and her daughter met us in Montreal, whisking the boys and Aaron away for real Montreal bagels. A welcome taste of Canada. We said goodbye at the airport, because Susanna was heading to Toronto to visit her Dad.

Over the course of the trip, it's become clear how lucky we are to have "home". Many people we met were looking for a place, or had pulled up roots and were travelling long term. Our family never felt tempted to stay anywhere we visited. Instead, we thought fondly of our family, friends, and the land of our home.

Aaron returned to Salt Spring to find a cooler full of food and a sweet note from our beloved friends. Judah and Mathai focused full time on hanging out with their friends, who they missed dearly.

We loved our trip for all the adventure and the gift of extended time together as a family. And, we are so glad to be home.Lue lisää
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Matkaaja The sweetest!
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Matkaaja Sweet!
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Matkaaja So sweet!
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Matkan lopetus
16. kesäkuuta 2025