Really couldn’t believe our luck this morning. Apart from the scooters and motorbikes, Marrakesh was a dream to drive in to. Big wide boulevards lined with flowers, super clean and tidy. Straight into our planned guarded parking for £12 overnight, but the best thing is, it’s only ten minutes walk to the main square!
As we set off walking, we realised we were parked right next to the Koutoubia mosque with its beautiful 70 metre high minaret that has three copper balls on top to keep away thieves apparently.
In to the main square – the Jemaa el Fna is a huge wide open space that has snake charmers, fortune tellers and men with monkeys on chains. All very exotic but not particularly nice to see. Apparently the snakes often have their fangs removed and mouths sewn up, so they’re basically starving to death. No wonder they are docile.
Through to the souks. These were great, much more pleasant than the bazaar in Istanbul or the Fez warren. Bought some vegetables – last of the big spenders. At least there’s no bartering involved when it comes to food.
Back to the van for lunch, then visited the Ensemble Artisanal – a beautiful handicraft complex with fixed prices..good for an idea of what to offer in the souks and a nice, calm shaded area in the heat of the day.
Risked life and limb next, crossing various roads (the cars stop on red but the motorbikes just drive at you 😬) just to get to a fountain that was surrounded by scaffold and virtually covered up.
The Ben Youssef Medersa was well worth the entry fee. This religious school has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakesh – no surface left undecorated. Carved cedar, tiles and plasterwork everywhere you look.
We saw the Almoravid Koubba next – it’s apparently one of the last remaining buildings of the original city. Probably should have gone in as I’ve just read that most of it is below ground level.
More souk and then back to the big square where food stalls are gradually filling up the whole space between the snake charmers and monkey men.
Going back in later at dusk – will tell you about that tomorrow.