Saturday, May 16, 2015

Jewel of Morocco day 9 Saturday 2/5/15 : Marrakech - Casablanca



The Magical Hassan II mosque
mineret 200m high


The main door to the Mineret is lifted up when opened  


Inside the mineret:



The abolution outlets and area


Doin some tricks: Abolution area

The mihrab - background 

Part of the mosque is built on the sea- Atlantic Ocean










Pit stop: Taste of Casablanca donuts 




This is Casablanca:








An evening in Casablanca 








Saturday, May 9, 2015

Jewel of Morocco day 8 Friday 1/5/15. MARRAKECH

Marrakech is located to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

City founded by in 1062 AD by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, chieftain and cousin of Almoravidking Yusuf ibn Tashfin

 It is a major city in the northwest African nation of Morocco and  the fourth largest city in the country after Casablanca, Rabat and Fes, and is the capital of the mid-southwestern region of Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz.

Various buildings constructed in red sandstone during Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122-1123 that bear Andulsia influence and this have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" or "Ochre City

More about Marrakech...

Marrakech has always been a meeting place- first just a group of nomad tents, now a bustling city.

Sightseeing with the local guide. Abdullah aka George Colony

The fascinating mosque with the highest minaret and no other building to be built higher than this 


A walk thy the ancient quarters to the fascinating JEMAA-EL-FNA Sq and its exotic bazaar 


Browsing the market 





The visit to BAHIA Palace


The lunch n t break in Marrakech 


Culture performances at night in Marrakech 











Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Jewel of Morocco: Day 7 : Thu. 30Apr15: QUARZAZATE - AIT BENHADDOU-TIZI-N-TICHKA PASS - MARRAKESH



Quarzazate is located at the side of Atlas Mountains , Province: Souss-massa-Draa

Chiefly inhabited by Banber-speakers, who constructed n live in the Kasbah. 

Morning orientation drive in Quarzazate and stopped at the famous film studios






A visit of THE KASBAH DETAOURIRT. It was a great attractions



A world heritage site: Ait Benhaddou

The gladiator was filmed here


At the AIT BENHADDOU - famous for location for lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator

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Tizi n Tichka pass : is a mountain pass in Morocco, linking the south - east of Marrakech to Quarzazate through the High Atlas Mountains 


Passed through picturestique villages surrounded by craggy mountains while motoring at 7,414 foot -high Tizi-n-Tichka passing the heart of high Atlas Mountains.








Each new twist of the road leads to a different, dramatic landscape.



The landscape gradually changes to tapestry of the red ochre




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Reached the red-coloured imperial city of Marrakech in the late afternoon. It is the most famous and fascinating of all Morrocon cities


Snake charm n monkey show are the famous attractions. 


The bitter orange tree planted along the road to add to the beauty of the town 

Optional dinner with cultural show


Jewel of Morocco : Day 6 Wed: EFROUD_THE ROAD OF A THOUSAND KASBAHS-QUARZAZATE



We passed through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains to Quarzazeette 




Reached The Tinerhir oasis , with green valley of palms and local villages


The oasis:


The village 






People live upstairs and downstairs used to rear chicks or storage space











Drove north to the impressive Todra Gorge




along the way passed the Dades Valley to the film capital of Morocco , where films like The Gladiators, The Arabian Night were filmed


The Kasbah:



The local guide , used to play in Gladiator 

An evening walk in Quarzazate


A night walk onto the Square