Marrakech

April 20 Marrakech. 

Palais el Bahia

Marrakech is one of the world's most enchanting cities, a former imperial city in western Morocco. It is a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with maze like alleys where thriving marketplaces. Our morning tour takes us to the Koutoubia Mosque from the 12th century, its minaret nearly 230 feet high and emulating the classic Moroccan design. We go through the Mellah, or Jewish quarter. Mellah means salt in Arabic and the Jewish community in Morocco were known for their trade in salt and meat preservation. We then proceed to the Palais el Bahia where we see grand halls, gardens and the harem quarter. We also visit to the Saadian Tombs where we see the graves of the regime that made this city so important.

The floor-to-ceiling decoration at Palais el Bahia were begun by
Grand Vizier Si Moussa in the 1860's and finished in 1900.

We are then off to shop and we end up purchasing spices, Moroccan slippers and a Berber rug. Susan turns out to be the master barginer and gets the rug she wanted and has it shipped home. Tired from our adventures we stop by a cross cultural cafe near our riad for a lunch of camel burger and beef burger. We rest up because we have a special night.

Morrocan slippers or Babouches

Our Berber salesman

We go on an urban adventures food tour of the medina. We meet our guide Omar and it ends up we are the only 2 on the tour due to cancellations. In the 3 hours we stroll the market place we have Moroccan donuts and pancakes, a local soup called harias, olive tasting and tangina beef, topped off with sweets Omar picked up a from a local bakery. The owner of the restaurant was the former chef to the president. We conclude with a very flavorful spice infused tea. We walk home to our riad very full and tired.

Making donuts

View of Medina from restaurant

Spiced tea to help digestion