Meng's Travels: Marrakesh

As our bus 8pulled into Marrakesh in the late afternoon we were told that we have to disembarked and bring our backpacks with us. Our big luggage will be transported to the hotel by porters. We walked through a few busy streets before we came to a humongous square. This is the Jemaa-el-Fnaa square. It's fairly busy during the day but at night it's transformed into hub of activity: food vendors, performers, people just hanging out, restaurants, etc. You walked across the square to find the right entrance to an alley that will lead you to your riad (hotel). It's the main square used by tourists and locals and is part of Marakkesh's medina quarters.

Porters taking our luggage to the Riad

The Square is already quite busy during the day

You have to find the right entrance to your alley

Walking through narrow alleys

At the opposite edge of the square are a series of shops and restaurants. Hidden among these are the entrance to the souk, comprising an almost unrecognizable and ununiform set of alleys that will lead you to where you want to go. It took most of us at least 3 trips before we have the direction to our riad memorized. Past the inconspicuous doors lies a beautiful lobby and a beautiful hotel.

The name of our Riad

Beautiful Lobby

An Inconspicuous Entrance

We were served a beautiful and delicious lunch

We will be in Marrakesh for 3 nights, which means we have plenty of time to explore the city on our own. Our Trip Leader, Aziz, following lunch, took us on a tour of the square and medina. We'll be wondering the area on our own for much of the 3 days and it's good to start recognizing some familiar shop or restaurant. Breakfast was provided every morning at the hotel but lunch is usually on our own. This gives us the flexibility to try some of the restaurants around the square. We have dinner either at the riad or a local restaurant. The dinners are of nice quality, served with optional wine.

In the morning we were given a tour of the Bahia Palace, with its traditional Islamic architecture and 150 rooms. Then we were taken to the Le Jardin Secret, an opulent 400-year-old palatial estate featuringopulent architecture and immaculately-tended gardens.

Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace Courtyard

Beautiful Islamic architecture

We had a horse-drawn carriage ride in the late afternoon on the first day. It was interesting exploring areas outside the square on a carriage.

Horse carriage rides are popular, just like in Central Park, NY

However, the thing I like most about Marrakesh is walking around the square and the narrow alleys. That's what I did the next 3 days. The variety of things being sold and the range of different types of food just boggles me. At night the square turned into a giant block party. Young Europeans flew in for the weekend and patronized the restaurants and shops.