September 16, 2002 –
Marrakesh
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It will be a calm day in Marrakesh because I saw too
many things last year that I will take my time to relax and enjoy the city at
its maximum just by wandering in the streets. I have still 2 or 3 places to
visit or revisit. I just go in the neighborhood of the Saadian tombs
near Bab er Rob. The tombs are part of a necropolis from the XVIth century next to the mosque. The
decoration is meticulous and the sculptures are well done and superb. This
necropolis was sealed by Moulay Ismaïl when he seized the power and instead
od destroying the place like the El Badi palace, he walled up the tombs and
made the mosque the only entrance. It is only in 1917 that Maréchal Lyautey
asked to make a hole in the wall to have an access to the Saadian tombs. Saadian tomb Not far from the Saadian tombs is the El Badi Palace.
It was well damaged by Moulay Ismaïl who used the palace as a quarry to build buildings in Meknes the
capital of his kingdom. El Badi palace I go on the new discovery of the district by
reaching El Bahia palace but the palace is closed til Thursday. From this
morning I am surprised by Marrakesh, it seems that the city is cleaner than
last year, the streets I walked in this morning do not have the same look
than last year. Maybe all these changes are due to the marriage of the King
or the future film festival next week. And above all the flags in the streets
give a great look to the city. Koutoubia Minaret I am sad to see the entrance gate closed but I
remember all the good memories from the place I visited. It is really one of
the best palace in Morocco. The woods are so well painted and the
architecture is so well preserved that I decide to show you 2 pics from last
year that depict well the place. El Bahia Palace I return to Djemaa El Fna by visiting the museum
Maison Tiskiwin. This house was Bert Flint ones, a fine amateur of local
craft who collected an impressive number of pieces. All the items are
presented in different rooms of the house and are well bring out. A guidebook
is given to each visitor to really appreciate what is presented. At the end of the visit, I go back to Djemaa El Fna
and directly I walk through the souks to reach the Koubba El Ba’adiyn next to
mosque Ali Ben Youssef. The building is under restoration but a visit is
still possible. It is one of the few Almoravid buildings still intact. The
main piece is the fountain intended for ablutions. The ceiling of the
fountain is very well chiseled and let us discover the Almoravid art of the
12th century. After a brief paused on the rooftop of the Hotel
Essaouira where I meet Thomas, a Swedish baba cool guy who travels a lot with
his girlfriend. On Djemaa El Fna, I meet David and Maria. Then I decide to wlk 2km to see the Menara gardens,
a pleasant place right in the middle of an olive trees forest. The pool and
the lodge give to the place an idyllic aspect with the High Atlas mountains
just behind. Menara Gardens It is now the end of the afternoon and the first
shows on Djemaa El Fna appear. I didn’t go to the Majorelle gardens or the Medersa
Ben Youssef, two other main attractions of the city. Here are some pictures: Medersa Ben Youssef Majorelle gardens Tonight I have another dinner on the square where I
meet Kevin from Scotland and his girlfriend Isabelle from Canada who are seated
next to me. We start talking on our trips and on our projects for the coming
days. And what a surprise we intend to go to Imlil tomorrow for a trek in the
High Atlas mountains. We say goodbye but with a promise to see each other in
Asni or Imlil. Hazard plays his role because the probability to meet people
with the same goals is very thin. Djema El Fna becomes a big restaurant Main expenses of the day : Koubba El Ba’adiyn entrance fee: 10 DH Tiskiwin entrance fee: 15 DH Internet: 20 DH (2 hours next to Hotel Ali) Hotel Essaouira: 25 DH on the rooftop+ 5 DH for the
shower Drinks (water, soft drinks, orange juice, tea…) +
evening meal: 50 DH |
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Other travels (Syria,
Jordan, Egypt, USA...) (Hotels, Transportation
timetables…) D1 :
Luxembourg – Paris – Casablanca D4 :
Meknes – Volubilis – Meknes D9 :
Tinehrir – Ouarzazate – Marrakesh D13 :
Refuge – 4167m –Tizi Ouanoums D14 :
Tizi Ouanoums – Amsouzert D16 :
Azib Likemt – Tacheddirt D17 :
Tacheddirt – Imlil – Marrakesh D19 :
Essaouira – El Jadida – Tangier D22 :
Chefchaouen – Casablanca D23 :
Casablanca – Paris – Luxembourg |
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Last update : January
2003
Contact : pindavid@hotmail.com