ait benhaddou to marrakech
The next leg of our Intrepid journey took us from the Kasbahs to the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, which has been a UNESCO World heritage site since 1987. According to the internet, a ksar is a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls. Our guide Said told us that Ait Benhaddou was a shopping mall as there was a retail opportunity at every twist and turn en route to the top of the ksar.
While we waited for the sun to set before we climbed to the top of Ait Benhaddou, we visited a women's carpet collective.
The rugs were beautiful with no spare floor space in my flat, I wasn't in the market for a rug.
A few camel friends loitering in front of the newly constructed entry gates.
A family photo taken by our Tour Leader, Said.
It doesn't matter where you are in Morocco, you will find a cat.
On our way down we enjoyed a cup of mint tea and some Moroccan biscuits at the Tawesna Teahouse. The all female run tearoom provides employment for local women whilst preserving their culinary heritage.
Thr next day we were back on the bus for the enthralling journey through the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
The views were amazing.
Marrakech is a lively metropolis that's for sure.
We started our day with a walk through the souk.
After our walk through the souk we were met by our guide for a tour of the Bahia Palace. The Palace was damaged during the 2023 earthquake and is still being repaired so many areas were closed to the public.
There were some beautiful painted doors and shutters.
The beautiful hand painted ceilings.
Some more of the beautiful details.
We found time for a family photo.
The next day we had free time to explore.
I went in search of the Secret Garden.
I'm glad I eventually found the garden because it was lovely. It was however not so secret.
The garden has a number of cafes and pavilions, fountains and water features and different garden 'rooms'.
There was a succulent garden.
Quiet areas for contemplation.
A pretty pavilion.
The view from the tower.
Beautiful tiles
There were even fruit trees. It was such a tranquil haven, I could have stayed there all day but it was time to try and locate my new accommodation located on the other side of the medina. I failed hopelessly, so I returned to the hotel before our final dinner. The next day we said our goodbyes and I moved to my new hotel, the Riad Albatoul.
When I arrived at the Riad I was welcomed by Abdul, the manager, with mint tea and home made biscuits which I ate in the courtyard.
The riad was the perfect oasis.
The upstairs terrace, where breakfast was served each morning by Mohcine, carefully prepared by Aicha.
The central courtyard.
I reluctantly dragged myself from the riad and visited the Madrasa ben Youssef. The Madrasa ben Youssef had recently been restored unlike it's Fes counterpart and it was magnificent.
Beautiful zellige tiles, intricate plaster work, a central pool, painted carved ceilings.
I also visited the photographic museum and the Museum of Music while I was in Marrakech.
I dined one night at the historic Cafe de France, strictly for the views because the food was forgettable.
It doesn't matter where you are in Morocco, you will find a cat.
The view en route to the top.
On our way down we enjoyed a cup of mint tea and some Moroccan biscuits at the Tawesna Teahouse. The all female run tearoom provides employment for local women whilst preserving their culinary heritage.
Thr next day we were back on the bus for the enthralling journey through the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
And just like that, we were in Marrakech, the final stop of our trip.
Marrakech is a lively metropolis that's for sure.
After our walk through the souk we were met by our guide for a tour of the Bahia Palace. The Palace was damaged during the 2023 earthquake and is still being repaired so many areas were closed to the public.
The Moroccan tiled floors, the perfect background for a catwalk.
The beautiful hand painted ceilings.
We found time for a family photo.
After the Palace tour we walked to the Jemaa el-Fna Square for a freshly squeezed juice. I had an orange juice but my favourite juice was pomegranate juice.
The next day we had free time to explore.
I went in search of the Secret Garden.
I got very lost so I saw a lot of the Medina before I eventually located the Secret Garden.
I'm glad I eventually found the garden because it was lovely. It was however not so secret.
The garden has a number of cafes and pavilions, fountains and water features and different garden 'rooms'.
Did I mention turtles?
There was a succulent garden.
The view from the tower.
Beautiful tiles
There were even fruit trees. It was such a tranquil haven, I could have stayed there all day but it was time to try and locate my new accommodation located on the other side of the medina. I failed hopelessly, so I returned to the hotel before our final dinner. The next day we said our goodbyes and I moved to my new hotel, the Riad Albatoul.
When I arrived at the Riad I was welcomed by Abdul, the manager, with mint tea and home made biscuits which I ate in the courtyard.
The riad was the perfect oasis.
The upstairs terrace, where breakfast was served each morning by Mohcine, carefully prepared by Aicha.
The central courtyard.
Did I mention the breakfast which was fit for a princess, that princess being yours truly. I loved the little teapot in which my mint tea was made so much, I found one in the souk and carefully packed it in my luggage to bring home with me.
The electrician, Marrakech style.
I reluctantly dragged myself from the riad and visited the Madrasa ben Youssef. The Madrasa ben Youssef had recently been restored unlike it's Fes counterpart and it was magnificent.
Beautiful zellige tiles, intricate plaster work, a central pool, painted carved ceilings.
I also visited the photographic museum and the Museum of Music while I was in Marrakech.
The Music Museum is housed in an old villa and concerts are held in the salo with the magnificent painted ceilings.
I dined one night at the historic Cafe de France, strictly for the views because the food was forgettable.
I shall leave you here with that thought. Next week is Christmas week on the blog but I will be back in a few weeks time with some images from my day trip to Essaouria, my last stop in Morocco, and from my time in the UK and Zurich.
I'll see you all again on Monday.
Bye for now,
Jillian
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