Our last days in Marrakesh

I believe I can call myself an expert at getting around the Marrakesh Souks– markets – as I had plenty time to explore them while hubby was working through his 24 hr stomach bug – thank goodness Imoden is available everywhere!  Inexpensive here too.  We had to say goodbye to visiting many of the beautiful landmark buildings.  However I explored every nook and cranny of the markets discovering the long straight ‘Leather Alley’ with the dug up bricks all along the way, where the livestock is kept, where the locals shop, almost all the Vespa repair shops are, the Marrakech version of our café scene and upmarket accommodations. What’s this?  The Marrakech Museum?  Lovely tiled atrium, art rooms and toilets Morroccan style interesting contemporary artworks and pottery.   Having got my museum ‘fix’ I proceeded outside to find the alley I came along had disappeared so a young man said he would help me find my way back. Soon I was not so sure so said ‘thank you.’  ‘Might I have a little present?’ he asks. Having anticipated this, I had ready a small silver coin. ‘That’s only 1 cent!’ he says, horrified. So I gave him a coin with gold on it – 2 Dihrs I think. Next thing a guy interrupts – ‘you can’t do that’ or words to that effect. So I left them to it – and went off in the wrong direction – to a very busy intersection in the new part of town – then had to back track to get the correct directions.  Funny thing was, apparently I was very close to our accommodation and had walked a very roundabout way to get there!  Such are adventures. Fortunately hubby was much better and we repaired to a local and recommended restaurant for a light meal, joined by the local friendly cat and some very pleasant local live music.

Up early next morning to the Marrakech airport for our flight to Casablanca – we were told to be there at least 2 hours early for check in – only to find we now have over 2 hours to wait…….

Impressions of old Marrakesh so far

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Known as the Pink City,  in Marrakesh terra cotta colours abound everywhere – busyness and noise - cars, Vespa’s, cycles and people – and no traffic lights – take a life from one on the many cats around here before crossing the road - and great outdoor Markets with plenty of stall holders around to hassle you and bargain with. Noise, narrow alleyways serving as roads, shopping precincts and tourist  traps. Water available  in plastic bottles – where do they go to?? Heat, dusty, clear skies.

Terra cotta gated communities, retirement villages and new suburbs springing up like mushrooms - does Marrakesh sound like home????

Adventure to the Atlas Mountains of Marrakesh, Morocco– and that Camel Ride....

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After hearing that our camel ride was going to be around 3 hours in duration – so we understood – and were warned that a half hour was more than enough, we were delighted to find out that our ride was to be 30 minutes only – and on the flat too!! In fact it was the subject of our first stop. After partaking in some local tea - the Morocco tradition, we were dressed in the local garb - all blue  - and hoisted on to the back of our friendly camels.  It took a few minutes to work out how to balance and relax on the camels’ back then it was time to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and peacefulness of the balmy countryside.  Then it was off to the majestic Atlas Mountains – huge alps looming an hour away high in the sky. We detoured to a natural health and beauty products place where all was made from oil by a women’s collective, a quick stop to inspect the outside of Kasbah Tamadot -Sir Richard Branson’s place  - the base of his mother’s Eva Branson Charity – offering projects to enrich the lives of the local people of Morocco  - and at the movie location for a recent Tom Cruise Mission Impossible  – now to be the location for a war movie, then past a place that Meryl Streep set up to educate girls in the area.  More ‘names’ to come…  The scenery of the alps is dramatic –  reminding one of Central Otago Scenery – redder, more trees, precarious roads red river valleys with much greenery and higher mountains in the distance. Plus many small terra cotta neat villages everywhere. We trekked up through villages past the Kasbah du Toubkal  - a ‘premier’ mountain retreat – and National Geographic Unique Hotel. It was the film set for the Dalai Lama Movie and has hosted Martin Scorsese, Lady Gaga and others.  The local villages, unlike others nearby in the Alps, thrive on Tourism (The Kathmandu of Morocco)  - walking and skiing. – with mule deliverers – the local 4 x 4’s, Air BnB’s and tour guiding being the most popular jobs.  A typical Moroccan lunch accompanied by lots of laughs from our fellow travellers, topped up this highlight of our trip to the Atlas Mountains by Marrakesh, Morocco. Well worth the trip!

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The London Leg – a gastronomic and walking experience

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It’s always great to stay in a different area in London and experience all it has offer.  This time it was the Fitzrodia area – not far from Regent and Oxford Streets.  Tucked away within a block or streets we were introduced to beautiful foods – the beautiful spices of the ceviche style of preparation at Seron Ceviche, a unique Vietnamese experience a the House of Ho, Italian food to die for at Palma and one of the most delicious vegetarian tapa meals  - I am not vegetarian but do enjoy non meat meals from time to time.   Even the salmon salad at the Greenwich Maritime Museum was freshly made with a variety of tasty foods – right down to the last morsel.  Sadly served in plastic though. Probably the most enjoyable meal though, was at the family home on Roydon on the outskirts of London– when all of our extended family gathered for a chicken barbeque on the back lawn. 

One of the great things about London is that it is a walking city.  Along the shopping precincts of Regent, Oxford, Carnaby Streets, or enjoying the neatly laid out residences in the quieter streets, or gazing up at the many new and architecturally interesting buildings that seem to be popping up everywhere.  The stroll past Buckingham Palace, avoiding the crowds, down to watching the Changing of the guards – through the many crowds hovering outside the Parliament Buildings – oh – not a special event – just a fire alarm – then down to the Thames River, where the buildings are being covered with scaffolding as part of a lengthy refurbishment – at least they did not cover the face of Big Ben…..

We have been overawed by the beautiful weather in London. While quite cool at night  - even down to the digits at dawn, the days became very hot – even into the 20’s I even caught a little sunburn while enjoying lunch and watching squirrels prancing and pigeons watering in the garden bar at the ROSL Club with our friend before she departed home to New Zealand.

It was most amusing to catch up with my son and grandson on their first day in London.  My son had not been to London at all and he was like a child in a Toyshop – he did not know where to look next! Nothing escaped being photographed!  I know I was exactly the same upon my first trip to London.