Marrakech 14 to 15 November 2011

Left the boat before 0700hrs 14 November to find a Petite Taxi to take us to the main Agadir Bus Station. On the way to the taxi we passed an early wedding party being photographed on the Corniche

Waiting for the bus for the 3 hour trip to Marrakech .

 Ready to board the 0800hrs Comfort Plus bus from Supratours

 This is the most comfortable bus we have ever been on - instead of two seats either side of the aisle there were only three in total allowing very wide seats , reclining of course and with adjustable leg rests  - well worth the extra 50 Dhirum per seat (5 euros) - total cost 150Dhm one way.

The toll station at the beginning of the superb new motorway 

 Argan trees scattered across the arid landscape

north of the mountains there is even less vegetation 

 a few widely spaced mud houses inside walled compounds as we get closer to Marrakech

 Intense irrigation in the Marrakech plain allows large plantations of olives, oranges and other fruits

At 1100hrs we arrive at the Marrakech bus station

 

Our hotel for the night, the Ibis Moussafir Centre Gare Hotel couldn't be more conveniently positioned - right next to the bus station

and only a short taxi ride to the Medina, the old city centre

 After dropping off our luggage, we took a petite Taxi past the Koutoubia Mosque

to the famous Place Jemaa El Fna square

 This is a non-stop circus with all sorts of street acts including monkeys,

snake charmers and  music groups etc

The square is surrounded by restaurants, some with overlooking rooftop terraces,

on one of which we had our lunch and took the above photos

in the evening many more stalls are erected where one can eat

North of the Djemaa el Fna is a huge maze of interconnected souks with several sometimes arched entrances

All sorts of goods are sold here, all colourfully displayed - one wonders how they can make a profit as one sees so many of the same articles spread throughout the souks

Donkeys as well as small motor bikes use the narrow passages through the souks - a bit hazardous at times

Intermingled with the souks are narrow twisting passageways sometimes tunneling between the buildings

A candid camera trip through the souks:-

Heading south

to the elegant 16th century Saadian Tombs

of past rulers

and back into the streets

more passageways

many with elegant doors

We were wondering what delights might exist behind the doors when a lady in Arab dress emerged from this one and, after a pleasant chat, invited us in for mint tea

Inside was quite an enchanting surprise

with two balconied upper floors and a roof terrace - an amazing amount of space

Back in the streets

 we made our way past hanging carpets

to the relatively new, only one hundred years old, El Bahia Palace 

Inside very plain walls was another architectural delight

eleborate ceilings

Fruit garden with bananas and oranges

Back into the souks

Tagine pots

Past the Berber restaurant where we had our evening meal

to the Ben Youssef Medersa 14th century school

elegant courtyard

the surrounding window holes are from rooms where the students slept

making an irresistable photo opportunity

Access to the students rooms

one of the student rooms

The ruins of the 12th century La Qoubba Almoravid Mosque

over the road to the Musee de Marrakech

which is a 19th century Palace which is now used as a museum of contemporary art

Back in the winding streets

Past sheep skins ready for the local openair tannery - which we were going to visit but were put off by too many overhelpful "guides"

Found a delightful rooftop terrace restaurant for lunch

with superb views of the jumble of roofs of the old Medina

with glimpses of the High Atlas Mountains between the clouds - must be a fantastic sight on a clear day with the 4000 meter plus snow covered peaks

Exited the Medina a gate on the northern side - very complex exit as the passage through the 600 year old city wall went through two hairpin bends before exiting

The walls completely surround the Medina

The newer part of town to the north

Hailed a petite Taxi - and to our happy surprise found the driver to be Mustaphe - a friendly driver who had given us a ride the day before - before I had a chance to negociate the price he volunteered 20 Dhirum - the price we had arrived at after a long haggle the day before

A welcome mint tea and cake before taking the 1700hrs Comfort Plus bus back to Agadir

Back on the boat by 2030hrs after a most enjoyable two days in Marrakech