Thursday 22 March 2012

Marrakech, Mid-Atlas Mountains, & Essaouira

We had a great trip to Morocco full of exploration and inspiration. Marrakech is an intense and chaotic city, bustling with colors, smells, and beautiful architecture. Thankfully the riads (guesthouses/palaces with small courtyard) we stayed in were a peaceful oasis within the insanity. We took a day trip to the Mid-Atlas mountains and the Ouirgane valley where we hiked through small villages where they had gotten electricity a mere few years ago and visited local argan oil women's cooperatives. After a day back in the city we ventured to the coastal town of Essaouria by bus. Essaouira may have been my personal favorite as it was a more laid-back fishing town set on a powerful and rugged coast. Back to Marrakech for the weekend where we enjoyed a great stay in another beautiful riad and explored the multiple museums and monuments as well as some indulgent and lavish restaurants. It's safe to say I wasn't ready to come home! Below are just a few photos from my many hundred ....


 Love these color combinations!


 Our first riad: Riad al Massarah


 Moroccan Mint Tea everywhere you go .... 


View into the courtyard from our room at the first riad.

Amazingly intricate.




Berber market in the mountains.

Argan oil women's cooperative.



Tour of Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot hotel.

On our hike.



Chez Momo.




The famous (and hectic) Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.

He may just be the King of little things.

The beautiful and rugged coast of Essaouira.








The most amazing color blue I've ever seen.

 The luxurious Riad Dar Mo'Da.

 Birds-eye view of Marrakech.


 After several minutes of waiting .... no hoards of tourists in my photograph!










Natural dyes.



Jemaa el-Fnaa at night.
                                                                                             ALL PHOTOGRAPH RIGHTS TO KIM TAS