No other way to start this post then: what a pleasant surprise Morocco was! Due to past experience visiting certain Middle Eastern countries, I went in with certain preconceived notions. I was wrong. WRONG. Our two weeks in Morocco were fantastic. The people we met were amazing and everything went off splendid on the 2,200 km journey. From markets to deserts to hospitality to palaces to camels to madrasas to riads to tajines to oranges to snow-capped mountains to flocks of sheep to the genuine smiles and openness of Moroccans, it was an amazing trip.
This post will be the first of two showing various scenes from our trip. No AI, filters, or any of the stuff the kids these days use to spice up photos was used. Just a boomer with a mobile phone.
First stop was Marrakesh, perhaps Morocco's most famous city. And it's for a reason. Just ask the donkey.
The markets live up to their reputation. Stall upon stall upon stall of a wide variety of goods. I tried to think of a market I've been to that was bigger or busier, and couldn't.
Marrakesh is also home to old palaces and madaras, several of which are exquisitely crafted in detailed tile-work, carved wooden ceilings and doorways, and intricate stonework. Beautiful.
Marrakesh's main square, a place you can still find monkeys, gymansts, snake charmers, street food, musicians, and others. Granted, most of it is likely only because of foreign tourists, but the place still retained an old world feel.
Tomb of a sultan. Not Taj Mahal on the outside, but better than the Taj Mahal on the inside.
Classic Moroccan lamps. Each hole, of which there are hundreds or thousands, depending on the size of the map, is hand cut. All the engraving is likewise done by hand. A mid-size lamp takes one month to make.
We left Marrakesh for the desert (part II), but on the way spent a few days in the mountains, which, when you think of Morocco, are likely not the first thing. They are beautiful and the hiking was great.
Loved driving these winding roads.
Contrasts are also a big part of Morocco—old and new, high and low, dry and green.
From a restaurant rooftop one evening.
Dades Gorge (fun bouldering)
Todra Gorge
And that's the end of Part I. See here for Part II.
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