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LOVE the photo of banjo- playing Michael and the Morocco hoe-down!
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Thanks, CaliNurse! I’m a bit partial to that photo, too ��
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See the photo of the man, head wrapped n white cloth (maybe Salem?) talking to Michael at Da Bluespatio?
That is is the long gauzy head covering I mentioned months ago in either your or yetravel's Morocco planning thread, as being a great item to buy at a local market. It really helped with breathing through wind-blown sand on my long-ago trip through the Sahara Desert. |
Originally Posted by CaliNurse
(Post 16765070)
See the photo of the man, head wrapped n white cloth (maybe Salem?) talking to Michael at Da Bluespatio?
That is is the long gauzy head covering I mentioned months ago in either your or yetravel's Morocco planning thread, as being a great item to buy at a local market. It really helped with breathing through wind-blown sand on my long-ago trip through the Sahara Desert. The white scarf is just like all the other head scarves that are wrapped around the person's head. Salem wears different colored headscarves (shesh). And there's the one of the 4 of us at the desert camp, each of us wearing one. The white one is just a different color and material, but used the same as the other scarves. And yes, one purpose of the long cloth is that it can be undraped and provide protection against the desert sandstorms, for instance. And speaking of headscarves, did anyone wonder if the guide in Kasbah Telouet carefully chose his headscarf to match the tiles? I sure did! Look at his close up and you'll see what I mean! |
Bit by bit, I hope to finish this trip! It's hard to believe that its now almost 3 months since we returned!
Leaving the Route of 1000 Kasbahs, we approach and then drive through the High Atlas mountains. The landscape is changing yet again! We are no longer seeing the colors of the last few days - the golden sand and the the Morocco brick. In a short time, we have experienced an incredible variety of vistas and views! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b1019aa902.jpg Approaching the High Atlas Mountains https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1c7610fa7a.jpg Driving through the High Atlas |
CaliNurse -- I had asked about what to wear in the desert and you mentioned the headscarf. They are as progol described. I did buy one in Essaouria, never used it and then left it behind. Unless you buy one of the "better" quality ones we were told they fade & bleed horribly. The guy we bought it from as well as our driver tried to teach me how to put on, but I never did get the hang of it.
For those who love mountain driving, also in the High Atlas south of Marrakech, check out the Tizi n'Test pass - it's fabulous with it's greenery juxtaposing red clay hills. Once you get above the fog bank there is gorgeous scenery with incredible mountains and virtually no traffic. |
Arriving in Marrakech was a shock to the system - back to the manic energy of a large Moroccan city, with another labyrinthine streets and alleys, lots of museums and buildings with beautiful Moorish architecture and stunning tilework -- and a feeling of wandering through yet another old world that is both fascinating yet has an aggressive current which can also be overwhelming.
We stayed in the lovely L'Orangerie in the heart of the medina - between our flagging energy and the rain that greeted us upon arrival and much of the next day, we barely took any photos of the riad. But it is wonderfully run by the very charming Cyril, a Frenchman who is passionate about Marrakech and an excellent host to the city. It's well situated, very comfortable, and good breakfasts (though too wet to enjoy them on the terrace). Riad Marrakech | Riad l?Orangeraie https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4702d9f183.jpg L'Orangerie - view to the pool ----------------- After a necessary break, we ended up at the pulsing heart of the medina, the Jemaa El Fna, the square and marketplace filled with every type of vendor imaginable! An utter assault of the senses and nerves! Here you'll see the snake charmers (and you'll pay a few dirham to take a photo; we passed on this), hawkers of every item needed and not, and at night, it's filled with food stalls. Walking through, we were quickly approached by so many vendors pushing their stalls, and we ended up sitting down at a table and ordering any number of dishes before really figuring out how to approach this experience. The foods quickly added up to more than we expected -- not an outrageous amount, but much more than we thought we were going to pay. It was exhausting -- I'm glad we had the experience, but it wasn't one that we cared to repeat. Overviews taken from Le Grand Balcon Cafe Glacier https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d2ce90c9f5.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bee96e2858.jpg The stalls https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...423bd3f2c0.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4a5d18e667.jpg And a bit of the flavor of the Jemaa El Fna scene: |
Wow.wow & simply wow. The Moroccan atmosphere comes alive with the video. Why travel any more!! I'did just sit back and enjoy and relive the past in my cosy couch .Awesome Progol.
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Correct me if I'm wrong. I suppose its the pan pipes of the Southern Rif.Jajouka if im right. Absolutely lilting. Kind of Sufi flavour to it that I've heard in Pakistan and India. Can put anyone in a trance. Whirling Dervish!! I need a drink !!
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Originally Posted by inquest
(Post 16765783)
Wow.wow & simply wow. The Moroccan atmosphere comes alive with the video. Why travel any more!! I'did just sit back and enjoy and relive the past in my cosy couch .Awesome Progol.
<<Correct me if I'm wrong. I suppose its the pan pipes of the Southern Rif.Jajouka if im right. Absolutely lilting. Kind of Sufi flavour to it that I've heard in Pakistan and India. Can put anyone in a trance. Whirling Dervish!! I need a drink !!>> I really don't know. I had assumed it was the snake charmer, but I didn't see what was being recorded since I took the video from the cafe overlooking the square. |
I struggled to create an itinerary within the limited time we had. I'm never in favor of splitting up a city stay, but really had little choice as I wanted to make sure we visited Essaouira, the (well-deserved) popular small city on the coast. So we ended up with 2 nights in Marrakech, one night in Essaouira and returned to Marrakech for the last 2 nights of our visit. I initially had us stay 2 nights in Essaouira and would've enjoyed a second night but I'm still glad we returned for the last 2 nights in Marrakech.
And it started out raining on our first full day. We had a lovely guide (arranged for us through Salem), and visited the popular tourist spots within the medina, stopping by the Koutoubia mosque and minaret. The minaret is a very visible landmark in Marrakech, and its appearance may be familiar if you've seen the Tour Hassan in Rabat or the Giralda in Seville, Spain. The Koutoubia minaret https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ffe8562bd.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...41d47c73f4.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0cab417efe.jpg Bab Agnaou The Bab Agnaou (or gate) is the main entrance to the kasbah, originally a royal entrance, built in the 12th century by the almohads. There are floral decorations around a shell and an inscription from the koran. And of course, more storks and nests! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...725b06fde5.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cce8dc76e8.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...22a4df8c93.jpg |
Not so sad at the Saadian tombs
If there is one place that stood out visually in Marrakech, it would be the Saadian tombs, the royal necropolis for the Saadian dynasty. Although there were burials as early as the 14th century, the tombs that are seen today date back to the 16th century and are well preserved because they were sealed off for about 200 years when Moulay Ismail took over Morocco in the 17th century. We can thank the Saadian Sultan, Al Mansour, for the rich interiors and beautiful carving, especially the family mausoleum, The Chamber of the 12 Columns. And no expense must've been spared for the imported Cararra marble, the exquisite tilework, the cedar ceilings (including some with gold gilding!). Exterior tombs https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a61667f09.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...341553de22.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2189b09114.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d6201bab1a.jpg Looking into the Chamber of the 12 Columns https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...58e1bfc2e8.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f147a3b012.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5b0bbd21e.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...119efd3b76.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4b89cf4513.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5066a0f907.jpg |
Wow! The Saadian tombs are truly a masterpiece. What an amazing trip, sights and sounds (and I'm sure, smells) you encountered on this trip!
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xyz, thanks so much for your comments! So glad you're following this and hope your future trip finally takes place!
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After the Saadian tombs, we visited the Bahia Palace (Palais Bahia), a 19th century structure begun by Si Moussa, the Grand Vizier to the Sultan, and expanded by his son, Bou Ahmed. By now, the rain was coming down harder, and the place was fairly crowded with tourists. We loved the Saadian tombs but we were finding it hard to focus by the time we got to the palace.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dc24e08e6a.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6942a46473.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...11f9f9b18a.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...11cfb65a9f.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...827d421e8c.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8fb664e4a6.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c1016ea268.jpg I don't know why the tiling is styled this way; it looks like a Jewish star but I can't find any info on it. If anyone knows about it, please let me know! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f9895e7a7e.jpg Our guide, in the garden https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f45b20906.jpg The courtyard! stunning! |
Visually stunning! The exquisite designs and architecture keeps on drawing me into Morocco.
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"I don't know why the tiling is styled this way; it looks like a Jewish star but I can't find any info on it. If anyone knows about it, please let me know!"
I wondered about the design of the tiles too. I would love to have any info anyone knows about it. |
Thanks, tp! I knew you would love the photos from Marrakech! The Saadian tombs are just breathtaking, and I love the courtyard in the Bahia Palace.
yestravel, I wish I knew about the tiled floor. I hope someone might know about the stars. Because they sure do look like the Jewish star. More to come, folks. Almost done, but not yet! |
Great photos as ever, progol; the buildings are very reminiscent of the Alhambra of course. The tiled floors are lovely.
Glad you came back with more treats for us. |
Annhig,
I’m thrilled that you’re still on this journey with me and glad you’re enjoying the photos. There are still more to come - I hope to get done with it soon. I can’t believe I’ve been back over 3 months now! |
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