Marrakesh Morroco

Our next destination was exotic Morroco. We arrived in Marrakesh, an infamous city that holds it's mystique and allure for westerners. Surprisingly it had rained the night before, their first rain since April. An event since it only rains 20 days per year and our driver had to wear his jacket.
Soon we were inside the pink mud brick walls of the medina, the heart of Marrakesh. Traffic was an eye opener, very chaotic and mostly small motorbikes so thankfully our driver knew where he was going. Our riad (bed and breakfast) turned out to be located off a busy side street with more motorbikes, donkey carts, horse drawn carriages, bicycles, and pedestrians. 

A few steps down a narrow alley and we were inside our riad. It was like another world, so peaceful and quiet. The interior courtyard was full of towering plants and all rooms, opened into the atrium. The roof top terrace was a perfect spot to relax and take sunrise and sunset photos.

Alley to our riad

Riad Al Ksar

Roof top view of the Koutoubia Mosque

Armed with a map and directions, we set off to discover our neighbourhood and after several attempts we reached Place Jemaa-el-Fna, the huge historic and crowed square. We walked around, cautiously peeking at snake charmers, street musicians. We sampled fresh squeezed orange juice, dates and nuts from the myriad of stands. A truly unique experience too which we would return a number of times, even at night and during a full moon. Guide books suggested we try grilled food at one of the  numerous stalls in the square. Which we did once and that was enough. 

Place Jemma-el-Fna

One sunny, warm morning we toured the beautiful Jardin Majorelle. It's a perfect oasis in a crowded city and a photographers haven, The garden was originally designed as an artist's landscape garden. Primary vibrant colours adorn pots, walls and the artist's house. We particularly enjoyed the cacti collection.

Marrakech is a sensory travel delight from subtle spices in cooking (tangines), to pottery, to stalls packed with scarves, shoes, lights and even the call to prayers. There are so many colours, patterns and people to observe, a virtual feast for your eyes. It can also be a sensory overload too, so after five days even mint tea ceases to calm, so we welcomed an excursion to see more of Morroco.

After a three day trip to the sand dunes at Mertzouta and a week in Essouria on the Alantic coast, we returned to Marrekech to make our return trip to Italy. The city was still hectic and busy but we were experienced now, bargaining with the taxi drivers for the best "democratic" fare. Walking the medina square with thousands of tourists and locals, buying our supplies at the many stalls and getting to our riad. It was fun to watch the newbie tourists, as we were a week before, that "omg" look in their eyes as they tried to take it all in.