Midnight at the Oasis - but do the Camels know the words?.....

[Pushka]

Also in this Garden was a small museum dedicated to history of the local culture as well as a small tribute to YSL.







I loved the colour and texture of the products for sale but don't think I had enough full credit to buy anything. That bright pink belt was calling me but I could not afford to listen to the call. Sigh.

 

[Pushka]

We exited the gardens and our next visit was to the YSL dedicated museum. Just a few hundred metres down the same street. We could walk straight in with our tickets. The tickets are all included in our trip.

So many insta pouty pouts here. We just kept walking.





And they were the only photos allowed. . The musee was huge, as such things are, but space. The first auditorium was a history of YSL. I had no idea his background started in theatrical productions, then movie but the requirements for theatre have greatly influenced his modern fashion design.
The next space displayed a few of his theatrical productions, then another was a film cinema showing several clips YSL at work.

I think I was disappointed. I'd hoped to see more actual fashion on display. But I didn't know much about him while the others on the tour did and were waxing lyrical about it. I dunno.

 

[Pushka]

We then had to walk past the Jardin where the next timed entry tickets were waiting. The lineup in the street was huge, we'd walked straight in. I think with such crowds the atmosphere would have disappeared.

We then ventured further into the main part of the city. All of us were keen to get lost in the fascinating bazaars we passed on the way to the Palace but one of the main issues of tours is that this is verboten. Hurry hurry or in the case of Morocco - yallah yallah. Our task was to see the Palace.







The Bahia Palace was built in the late 1800s by the Grand Vizier, who clearly wasn’t into doing things by halves. It was designed to show off wealth and power, with beautiful courtyards, carved cedar ceilings, colourful tiles and peaceful gardens tucked away from the chaos outside.

The name Bahia means “brilliance” or “beauty”. Depending on which story you believe, it was named after the Grand Vizier’s favourite – and reportedly fourth – wife, Bahia. Whether that’s completely true or not seems to be debated, but it’s certainly the story our guide to,d

These days it’s one of Marrakech’s most visited places. We wandered through room after room thinking, “I’d hate to be the one dusting all this,” while admiring the incredible craftsmanship that has somehow survived for well over a century.

I think by now I was getting palaced out. I didn't take many photos. It wasn't my main game in Marrakech.






We left the palace early as much of it is under renovation after a major earthquake a couple of years ago. We walked for some time thinking - are we getting to the main square where all the fun was. The guide was yallahing a lot right now but as we were at the back three of us got stuck behind a van unloading stuff. He was heading forth and didn't realise we weren't tailing him. We eventually caught up. We turned a final corner expecting to see snakes and shops and spices to buy - but no, we were walking to our van again.

 

[Pushka]

Finally we got off the van and into the main square. It was pretty warm by now, it was in the afternoon and I think we skipped lunch here. I have no memories of it. We did get a bottle of water which we desperately needed by now. Unfortunately the square was pretty much devoid of snake charmers and tourists weren't paying up to have them perform. We've seen them before in India and Sri Lanka so not such a novelty for us but we were trying for a long distance photo. Not so. One of the group members did get one though and paid 60 dilmahs to get it. That's around $8. He did take her phone. Wanted to put the snake around her neck and so on. Nothing we wanted to engage in so we didn't partake.

We were then given around 45 minutes to dash through the bazaars. I wanted to buy some specific coin purses that had 'Alice the Camel' picture on them. Anyone with young kids and grandkids will now be singing this song all day long I had the people on the bus complaining I'd started them off. I had everyone scouring for some as most shops don't have them but got lucky in the first few minutes and allowed the team to stand down .



Also bought a leather travel bag. I have to do a bit of fixing before I can use it. I ran out of time to check it properly at the time.

It would be so easy to get completely lost here and we were told a specific direction to avoid that.

 

[Pushka]

After this we returned to the hotel by mid afternoon. And instead of the free time mentioned in the booklet, there was a food tour. We declined as we were looking forward to trying the Asian restaurant on site. So we booked it. Not realising it's the main venue for the Soccer final and which of course, was France and Spain. So we arrived to this.








People still drink Mateus?


Entree. Both delicious. Chicken Spring Rolls.



Best (apparently) Sashimi ever served on ice



Pad Thai


Salmon.



Mousse of some sort.



We had to buy a package where we could eat and drink up to the package value. W didn't come close.

Surrounded by sihska which is clearly the thing. No smell so all fine. We tried Shishka in Dubai.

 

[Pushka]

The next day was our last day. And apart from a dinner tonight it was free although some went on an optional cooking class. So we had plenty of time for swimming and packing. It was going to be 42c. Pleasant enough in the morning

Some pictures today of the breakfast buffet. The largest I've seen. And gourmet croissants from a visiting French Chef.




Beurre station.

 

[Pushka]

 

[Pushka]

Breakfast done it was off to the pool. Around the pool they serve these wondrous treats.




Lunch. Yum



Afternoon we packed in prep for 7am departure in the morning. Then off to a final dinner. We were each given a gift which for me was an abeya and MrP cotton pants which fit me very well. . And our ceramic pots we made. MrPs turned out the best.



The dinner. So much food. I think this restaurant was selected as it presents a reflection of Moroccan night clubs. It was certainly dark. Loose floor rugs. While I get the reasoning, for a last celebration it offered no chance to reflect on the trip, the funny stuff, the great stuff etc. And the guide did not attend which disappointed all of us. It actually felt a bit flat. There was way too much food. We were given a menu and we'd all selected what we wanted. Mine was chicken curry. Flavour I'd hoped. Then as we went to order the waiter said, oh no, we just gave you those to look at, your meal as been pre ordered. We just all looked at each other silently asking ourselves - we did you give us the menu then.

So, another entree which was tasty then, two massive tagines of meat and veg. Most of which we didn't eat.

Dancing with lights at the dinner table. These are actual candles. There are ceiling drapes. Did not feel particularly happy as they danced around. Then let others put them on their heads even kids. Off course 99.9999% of the time they are safe. Then one time they won't be. There is no escape.



Then there was a belly dancer but we were in the back so she didn't come close to us.

We were all tired by now, and the other guy who had to depart at 3.30am messaged the guide and said we were leaving so we walked the few metres back to the hotel which looked pretty cool at night.



Met the guide for a final message re drivers to the airport etc then off to bed.

 

[Pushka]

So the next morning we were ready at 7.10am to be collected. We'd settled our bill the night before at the concierge desk, but on handing over the room cards the reception tried making us pay again. There are too many different functional people in this hotel and they are in completely different lobbies and you usually end up being redirected to the other one. Creating confusion as in here. Anyways there was a person there who must have remembered us paying and said it was all covered.

Our Moroccan trip had ended. Over 3,000 kms completed over 7 days in a minivan with five non travel days.

 

[SuePa]

So the next morning we were ready at 7.10am to be collected. We'd settled our bill the night before at the concierge desk, but on handing over the room cards the reception tried making us pay again. There are too many different functional people in this hotel and they are in completely different lobbies and you usually end up being redirected to the other one. Creating confusion as in here. Anyways there was a person there who must have remembered us paying and said it was all covered.

Our Moroccan trip had ended. Over 3,000 kms completed over 7 days in a minivan with five non travel days.

Thank you for your great trip report. I was in Morocco in March/April this year, but my trip was a completely different style, so it was very interesting to follow yours.
Loved the photos !