Category: Travel

 

Traveling the world has been a long time passion. this is where I share all my  travel stories and experiences.

PhotoPOSTcard: In Majorelle Garden

The Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh was created by French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920’s. The garden’s is famous today though because it was purchased and restored by Yves Saint-Laurent in the 1980’s. Regardless of of its high profile owner, the garden is a visual treat. Cobalt blue accents are a punctuation of color amid the green and silver foliage. That particular shade of blue was developed and patented by Jacques Maorelle and is named after him – Majorelle blue.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: El Badi Palace Refelction

The El Badi Palace in Marrakesh, Morocco was built in the late 16th century by Sultan Ahmad Al-Mansur and was supposedly built and decorated with the most expensive materials of its time. The complex is believed to have had as many as 360 rooms built around a large central courtyard that contained a large pool. Subsequent rulers from other dynasties later stripped the palace of all its grandeur, so that today it sits as a romantic looking ruin that is home to storks and tourists.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Morocco’s Zellij Tiles

Throughout my wanderings in Marrakesh, I saw the characteristic Zellij tile decoration. Whether it was a museum, an old restored historic building or in the narrow lanes of the Medina, this typical Moroccan mosaic tile work in shades of blue, tan and green was prevalent. The combination of small hand chiseled tiles laid in intricate geometric patterns seemed infinite. I definitely got a few ideas for a quilt or two.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Menara Gardens, Marrakesh

I found the Menara Gardens in Marrakesh to be a lovely place to get away from the tourist crowd and stroll through the gardens with the locals. The garden is centered around a large reflecting pool that is especially scenic at sunset when the distant Atlas Mountains are reflected in the still waters.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: The Jewish Cemetery in Marrakesh

In 1492 Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus sailed off in search of a better route to India and in the process discovered the new continent of America instead. That same year, Spain expelled all of its Jewish population, many of who sailed across the narrow strait of Gibraltar to nearby Marrakesh, Morocco where they were welcomed by the Sultan. The Sultan set aside an area in the city for the Jewish community of about 35,000 Jews and also established a cemetery in 1537. Though no longer actively used, the cemetery is being maintained and refreshed with contributions from visitors. One of the saddest aspects are the many small white tombs that mark the burial of over 7000 children that died of Typhus.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Modern Transport in the Marrakesh Medina

Besides motorcycles and mopeds, the other mode of wheeled transportation in the old Medina area in Marrakesh is the donkey pulled cart. The lanes and alleyways are narrow and large motorized vehicles can’t fit. So if you have to haul a large quantity of stuff through these passages, a donkey and cart will do the work, just like they did in the 11th century when Marrakesh was built. In this case, the load is leather hides that have been processed the old fashioned way by men thigh deep in water treated with pigeon poop .

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: This is Marrakesh

For me, this photo summarizes my Marrakesh experiences in the Medina – the old, historic district of the city. Colorful carpets for sale hanging on the ocher colored walls that are characteristic of all the buildings in Marrakesh. The Zellij  tiles that decorated so many of the Moroccan buildings. And the ubiquitous mopeds that I had to constantly dodge and avoid as I wandered the old lanes of the Medina.  Marrakesh was a colorful and noisy assault on all my senses.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

A Day Trip to Essaouira from Marrakech, Morocco

On a recent visit to Marrakesh, I had the opportunity to experience a day trip to Essaoura from Marrakech, Morocco. I was surprised to find that this coastal town was so much more relaxed and laid back than Marrakech. Even with a short day in Essaouira, I discovered that its beach vibe felt more akin to being in the Caribbean than on the African coast.

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PhotoPOSTcard: In Essaouria, Morocco

Essaouira sits on Morocco’s Atlantic coast and has a laid back beach vibe that feels a little more Caribbean than African. The city’s ramparts, which were built in the early 1500’s by the Portuguese, protected the natural harbor from invaders, and also provided a sanctuary to the pirates that at one time set anchor here. Today Essaouria is known for its music and arts scene and the ramparts are a draw for photographing tourists.

Please note that my visit to Essaouria was hosted by Time Out Marrakesh. All content is my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose