Marrakesh Day 1

As expected, Marrakesh is a very spectacular place. It is the tourism capital of Morocco and a very fun place. Our hotel was very modern and elegant.

Peggy hung her socks to dry on the sun beams.

Roof top pool at night. We spend a lot of time up there enjoying our wine.

People buy bread in the markets or take the dough to a community oven so they don’t have to turn on their oven and heat the house.

The market was quite an experience but very different from day to night. During the day the plaza was filled with snake charmers (not kidding) and people trying to sell you things. Filled with tourists. At night after sunset the plaza was filled with pop up restaurants and families. A real carnival vibe. Everyone was out breaking the fast because it was Ramadan.

On the second morning in Marrakesh we went on a city tour. Our first stop was at the palace of a “viceroy.” He had rooms for 4 wives and 24 concubines. It was called the Bahia Place.

Our next stop was at the Saadian Tombs were the monarchy were buried in the 14th century. There were separate buildings for men, women and children. Everyone is buried on their side facing Mecca.

The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh. We were not allowed to go inside. It dates back to 1158. The minaret is 221 feet and no building in Marrakesh can be higher. Marrakesh is known as the Red City because of the red Adobe clay.

Top of minaret. The hook faces east and Mecca.

Our final stop on the tour was the Majorelle Gardens that was created by the French in 1923. In 1980 the property was purchased by designer, Yves Saint-Laurent, who restored it to it’s former glory.