Mrs Wilbur and I visited the eclectic Moroccan city in 2005 as part of a mini tour of Morocco.
We started and ended in Marrakech with the tour taking us through the Atlas Mountains to get close to the locals, on to Meknes, Volubilis & Fes, before taking a train back down south.
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is a marvelous city to just wander with highlights being the souk and the Djemaa El Fna, the main colourful square that comes alive at night with a constant din of musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, buskers, con artists and hawkers.
We stayed in two riads whilst we were there, including Riad Assala which remains one of my favourite ever places to stay.
A riad is a dwelling with high external walls around a central courtyard, with rooms surrounding it on two levels. Assala was sumptuous with its own plunge pool and lighting provided by lanterns.
Riad Assala Interior & Exterior
We also stayed a night in the grand Hotel La Mamounia. French football hero and disgraced UEFA president Michel Platini was staying at the same time. I will never forget his protruding belly over his skimpy blue swim shorts. Yuk!
Here are a few of my pictorial captures from the trip.
Marrakech Souk
Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech
Koutoubia Mosque & Djemaa El Fna
Mrs Wilbur Gets A Henna Tattoo
Snake Charmer
Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech
Marrakech is well known for its vibrant colours, especially decorating the interiors of buildings. We were to bring back an absolute stack of souvenirs, most of which we still have and still look great.
The city beginning with the letter M that I would most like to visit that I haven’t yet? Manilla in the Philippines.
How about you?
Look out for N tomorrow.
My guess for N
Naples
Nairobi
Navapolatsk
Newcastle
Not this time…..
Norwich, Nottingham or Northampton?
A bit further afield.
Kim said today ‘what shall we do after the curfew ends? I said I am getting used to it lets spend a year in UK!
My next trip is planned for end of June to Lincoln, Northumberland & Carlisle. Possibly not but you never know.
If it happens, I invite you to stop over between Lincoln and the North for a night or two in Grimsby.
Thanks. I went there once for football. Grimsby 1 Man City 1. Seems a lifetime ago!
Fabulous city. Went there in 2010 and really enjoyed it. Following year went to Fes but this was after the Arab Spring and it was more threatening and less fun.
I missed my guess at M and I think I would have got this one. Would never have got L though!
I really loved Fes, far more Islamic I thought.