Marrakech

Marrakech is the main tourist trap of Morocco - but it has the charm and personality to carry it off without seeming 'just' a grockle stop. For my two nights in Marrakech I booked a Riyad - effectively an up market B&B in a traditional Moroccan town house. This was a haven of peace and quiet in a frantic town.

This time I dispensed with the services of a guide - though did let individuals show me different parts of the city (for a small tip).

The most famous place in Marrakech - Jemaa l-Fna or the main town square - is wild after dark (hence the lack of photos). On my first evening I strolled around the square and the suuks in the immediate vicinity. I had dinner at one of the many market stalls. Musicians, dancers, story tellers, preachers abound. Stalls selling oranges and freshly pressed orange juice. A truly colourful place - though not, perhaps, quite as wild as Michael Palin would have us believe!!

I've put a few hyperlinks in the text if you want more information.

	The view from the roof terrace of my Riyad. This was located in the Kasbah district (named, presumably, because there are a number of large houses in the area).
	A view over the roof terrace.

	The entrance gate to the Kasbah district.
	The Badi' Palace was constructed within the Qasba of Marrakech during the reign of the Sa'did ruler Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Shaykh al-Mansur (r. 1578-1603). Once known as "the Incomparable," the palace's symmetrical plan consists of chambers and pavilions arranged around a large central courtyard. Water and vegetation are the dominant elements in this central space; four gardens flank the rectangular pool that forms the central axis of the courtyard.

	The Kotoubiya mosque which dominates the sky-line.
	Water carriers. These guys will provide you with a cup of water but their main function is to be photographed.
	Their initial suggestion for a tip was massive and they were not impressed by my generous, but much more modest offer - so I simply walked away. Strangely they came to see my point of view!!
	I needed to sort out how to get to Ouazazate. On my return to the Medina I suggested that my taxi driver show me the sites. This is the Menara Gardens with a large reflecting pool. These public gardens are a bit away from the Medina but seem to be a popular place for locals.
	High point. The Madrasa Ben Youssef - the Koranic school - a haven of peace in a wild town. The central courtyard has some beautiful tile and plaster decoration.
	Surrounding the courtyard, on two storeys are the student's rooms - arranged in groups presumably with a Monitor controlling the younger boys - much like an English Public School!! The ceilings and staircases were all beautifully carved wood. The whole place was pleasantly cool and airy.

	Died skins drying in the sun.
	Museum of Morocco. Building was much more interesting than the sorry collection of 'art'. The strange light is because there is a 'tent' over the courtyard.

	A fantastic ceiling in a 'back' room!
	A smaller mosque in the back streets.
	The Berber tannery. Poo :(
	My guide for the tannery
	A 'view' over the 'Arab' tannery.
	A small square in old Marrakesh.