The Sahara Sunrise and Chefchaouen Blues: A Photo Journal from Morocco

I met Arthur in a hostel in Siargao in the Philippines. Like me, Arthur has a wandering spirit and an insatiable desire to see, explore, and experience the world. While his day job is far removed from the travel photography that he clearly has a gift for, I asked him if I could feature his photos on this platform.

When Arthur and I did a boat trip together in the Philippines, he came back with portraits of moments I had completely overlooked. As a writer, I'm constantly asking questions or seeking to understand the world. Travel photography reminds me that we don't have to have all of the answers to appreciate what is right in front of us.

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"In May, I went on a four-week journey through Morocco, immersing myself in the diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. I traveled from the sands of the Sahara Desert through the Atlas Mountains, and I even went along the coastline to Taghazout, a colorful surf town. I aimed to capture the stunning beauty of Morocco, revealing the magical charm and natural beauty that makes this country truly unforgettable.

I can never really say what the fundamental reasons are for me wanting to go and travel to a new place, but I always felt like I had a calling to go to Morocco. That calling was for sure a positive one as it’s such a beautiful country and I got to interact with so many amazing people from the locals to the other backpackers I met along the way."

Follow along with Arthur's travels on Instagram.

A local man sit on a curb during the midday heat in the town of Tinghir

A view of Aït Ben Haddou from the restaurant. Aït Ben Haddou has been featured in many films. Our tour guide told us a story of how he met Denzel Washington during the filming of Gladiator 2.

A local man selling souvenirs poses for a portrait in the Sahara Desert.

Aït Ben Haddou from another viewpoint.

Early morning in the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

Early morning commute in Tinghir.

The South of Morocco may be a hot, dry desert, but the North is full of beautiful green and mountains.

A local lady wonders the streets of Chefchaouen. Her attire making for a beautiful contrast to the blue streets.

A beautiful sunset view of Chefchaouen.

There are a lot of cats in Morocco... and I mean A LOT.

Walking the narrow Medina streets of Fez.

Walking the narrow Medina streets of Fez.

The winding streets of Marrakech.

A man displays his fish in Essaouira a seaside city renowned for its fishing port.

Men collecting clams on the seafront of Essaouira.

Men weaving a fishing net in Essaouira.

Late morning in the surf town of Taghazout.

At the top of the town of Taghazout, there is a skate park. This is a great spot to watch the sunset and watch the skateboarders flow through the park.

A pair of horses very politely posing for a portrait on the beach in Taghazout.

A local man working away making leather in the Chouara Tannery of Fez. Beautiful scenery but also very smelly, as they use pigeon in poo in the leather-making process.

More workers in the process of making leather.