Trip to the Red Mountains (2)

We had an amazing young guide who took us up the very tricky valley to the first waterfall.

Setti Fadma

The busy walk along the banks of the Ourika

Walking up the valley there were many opportunities to spend. Here soft drinks cooled by stream water...

...and artisans showing off their wares.

At last we reached the first waterfall. We weren't alone!

On the return trek you could even pick your wedding outfit!

Back in the main valley it's time to eat, with good food and local music.

Trip to the Red Mountains (1)

We hired a guide to take us to the Red Mountains above Marrakech.

A photo opportunity stop: Tine near a camel. We resisted going for a ride!

Look how the road was shored up!

There was a great view of the Ourika valley...

...with our destination of Setti Fadma a little further away.

Our guide took us to visit a typical Beber house. Berbers were the original nomadic tribe of the area.

Every home should have one: a mill to grind flour

I can make out evidence of a fire underneath but I'm not sure how this oven worked!

The kitchen area...

...and living space. This could be a living room or bedroom!

Guided tour

We decided to get a guide to show us some of the sights in Marrakech.

The Kasbah Mosque…

…showing damage from the 2023 earthquake.

We’re used to storks near La Tranche but not in the town itself!

The Saadian Tombs. Who remembers those impossible Escher prints?

Inside the Bahia Palace

We went on to wander through the souk, not too busy in the morning.

What a wonderful display of naturally dyed material!

Wandering into Marrakech

We couldn’t resist going to explore.

Just round the corner, one of the gates to the Medina

The Kutubiyya Mosque, dating back to the 12th century…

…with some repair work going on.

A stork making the most of a communication tower.

Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, especially busy at Eid.

To finish, a couple of photos showing the brilliant evening sky. 

Our Riad in Marrakech

We left our friends to enjoy a bit of family time and caught the train to Marrakech.

Luckily we had good instructions to get to our riad…

…lost in the Medina.

Behind the front door this was awaiting us!

Tine at our room…

…and view from the room.

We had a lovely comfy bed…

…hot water…

…and just look at this handbasin!

After a hot day, what better than a dip in the rooftop swimming pool?

First views of Casablanca

We stayed at Najia’s apartment in Casablanca. Najia is Mehdi’s mum & Selim’s ‘mima’, a lovely woman.

 

Élodie & Najia up on the roof, with a good view and an area to hang your washing.

Walking around you can see how big football fans the Moroccans are.

 

It might have been a bit cloudy but the temperature was high and people were enjoying a dip.

Our first glimpse of the Hassan II mosque (more in a forthcoming post).

Selim is a racing car & motorbike fanatic, so happy to have a go!

Back at Mima’s a musical interlude. 

And we’re off again

We hardly had time to empty our bags before heading off to Morocco with Mehdi, Élodie & Selim.

Well, almost. After waiting for hours the flight was cancelled and we ended up in a hotel in Nantes for a very short sleep.

There was a good view from our window in the small hours though!

Next day we’re on the tarmac and there’s our plane waiting for us.

Our three travel companions

One very excited Selim

Keeping our beady eyes on them. 

Casablanca Airport: a day late but we made it!