MOROCCO// HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS AND ESSAOUIRA

DAY THREE// ATLAS MOUNTAINS

We decided to book the Atlas Mountain trip through a excursion company and stumbled across one while exploring the souks in Marrakesh through a hostel 'Marrakech rouge hostels' the whole trip cost us around £20. I did a lot of research from home and remembered from my previous trip which would be the best place to visit. We wanted to see waterfalls so went for the Ourika Falls based in the town of Setti Fatma. The trip was a little slow setting off, but after swapping mini buses 3 times we were on our way with 3 other couples. The mini bus stopped off a few times on the way to take pictures of the view, have a camel ride and to see how Moroccan beauty products were made. Finally we reached the bottom of the mountains and were met by a unofficial guide, we thought about trying on our own to find the waterfalls but were gently persuaded to follow the group.The trek took a couple of hours to do including a tea break at the top. The waterfalls themselves were nothing spectacular but the atmosphere made the trip something to remember, following the guide up we passed rows of restaurants and market stalls, some even in the river itself. I highly recommend this as a day trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life and relax with mountain air.

DAY FOUR//ESSAOUIRA

Our final day *sob sob* we had been looking forward to our trip to Essaouira the most, and it certainly didn't disappoint. We boarded a supratours coach from Marrakesh bus station for a mere 150 dirham ticket and were on our way. At first it could be mistaken for a little French town, with its high walls and white buildings, but as soon as you get into the town centre the typical Moroccan culture comes shining back through with dark market style shops bursting with different coloured treasures waiting to be found in all the narrow winding alleyways. Essaouira is the perfect place to visit for the avid kite boarders, which we wanted to try out if there was more time and for the Game of Thrones fan (Khaleesi's journey in Astapor was filmed here) We didn't have anything specifically planned for our visit here except to try fish from the fish market, so instead spent our day exploring. The harbour was our first point of call and walked along the wall taking in the sea breeze and smell of freshly caught fish stopping every now and again to let a wave break over the barrier. Next we headed to the beach which stretched for miles along. A perfect relaxing day spent in the sun to finish of our trip.

    

MOROCCO// MARRAKESH

Day one and Two//Marrakesh

It won't take you long to realise why Marrakesh has been renamed the Red City, a city of great beauty towering below the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains. A city where during my gap year I spent 3 months working and wanted to return. A perfect place to go to recuperate after the Christmas and new year rush, and extremely cheap to stay. All these reasons are exactly why Dy and I decided to go.

Where to stay: After a lot of research we settled on Chambre Safron/Dar Mouassine)(booked through Air BnB) and it was the perfect choice, David and his staff were the most welcoming hosts and made our stay extremely pleasant. With that and the location we couldn't of asked for anything better, situated just 5 minutes away from the Jamaa el Fna and a beautiful roof terrace which looked across the maze of the hustle and bustle beneath.

Chambre Safron

Where to visit: Day One// A number one must see is the Jamaa el Fna (the main square) in the day primarily a big empty space with a few snake charmers, ladies wanting to decorate you with henna, and rows and rows and rows of stalls full to the top with dried fruits and nuts, be sure to taste the freshly squeezed orange juice, perfect to quench your thirst. However at night the square comes to life, the air is filled with delicious aromas and smoke bellowing up into the air from the food stalls, groups start to gather and you will soon find your self joining in and watching the array of different entertainment from musicians, story tellers and acrobats to boxing matches and magic shows. You will always find something different and there is something for everyone-it will be sure not to disappoint. This was the centre point for our trip finding ourselves hear every evening looking for something to eat or somewhere to rest our aching feet and enjoy a cup of mint tea. Towering over the square you will see The Koutoubia, this is the highest mosque in Marrakesh and the point that helped Dy and I many a times when we got lost!

The Koutoubia

Jemaa el Fna

We had set ourselves 1 and a half days to see everything we wanted to see in Marrakesh, so a lot of walking and taxi rides we had seen everything we had wanted too (I think!) Our first afternoon we walked down to the Southern Medina to see the palaces and Agdal Gardens. However this didn't go to plan after taking a few wrong turns and the walk being slightly longer than we first thought, we only managed the Agdal gardens, the gardens stretch for 3km and inside the gardens everywhere we looked was rows and uniformed squares filled with orchards growing oranges, figs, lemons, olives and pomegranates  In the centre lies a man made pool- The Sahaj el Hana or "The Tank of Health" and an old summer pavilion, locals where gathered here resting there fit while groups of boys played with the fish on the waters edge. Being in the centre of the gardens you wouldn't have known there was a busy city surrounding.

Agdal Gardens

Day Two// After an early start we got into a taxi and headed to the Majorelle Gardens which is situated in the Ville Nouvelle quatre of Morocco (outside of the Medina). The garden has a sense of tranquillity and calmness as soon as you entered. All the walls painted a striking Cobalt blue- a lot different to the red colours filling the rest of Marrakesh. The blue warmed the garden which was full with walk ways of bamboos and beds full of cactus ranging in all different heights and thickness. A surprise at every corner with a giant pool or fountain until you reach Yves St Laurent's memorial. You can see why he fell in love with these gardens and why he bought it upon himself to buy it off french artist Jacques Majorelle to save it from destruction. In the centre is the Berber museum which gives you a great insight to there culture, language, textiles and fashion. 

The Majorelle Gardens

We then walked back into the Medina trying to find the Jamaa el Fna (our centre point) while trying to fit in as many sights as possible, from the Ville Nouvelle we walked through the Northern Medina. Although not a lot to go into see in the Northern Part of the medina we definitely saw how everything in the main souks were made, walking past schools, workshops and fountains were children gathered to drink the water.

After a long walk and a quick pit stop for some mint tea and orange juice we were back in the Southern Medina, unfortunately the El Badi Palace was closed for renovation, but there was still plenty more to see. Situated in a hard to find entrance from the Kasbah mosque the tombs lie. If nothing else you should go to see the art work of the tiles and carving in the woodwork.

The Bahia Palace

Next we visited The Bahia Palace which name means 'Brilliance' and you can sure see why. The chambers have a certain echoing feeling while walking round and a sense of sadness, But again you can't help but to take in the beautiful décor with the colourful mosaics and woodwork. The palace consists of two riad's and joining the two together is a large courtyard and situated in the centre a fountain which can be seen from each side. South of this is the larger riad which courtyard is filled with beautiful fruit tree's. Offering a sense of peace.

Finishing off our Marrakesh experience we decided to go to the Dar Si Said, a smaller version of the Bahia Palace which also houses the museum of Moroccan Arts. The security guard took it upon himself to give us a personal tour which for once we didn't argue against (expect to have to pay a tip for these services) and told us the history behind different types of Moroccan woodwork and carvings . Although very interesting we both had the same agreement that it was all a bit samey to the Palace.

By the end of this second day we both had felt that we had warn Marrakesh out and although had both enjoyed ourselves we were looking forward to our trek in the High Atlas Mountains and visiting the beach in Essaouira.