Four Continents 2012

Marrakesh: 3-4 October

		On the long journey from Fes to Marrakesh, we stopped briefly in Azrou which in winter is a ski resort. It was pleasantly cool. †
		On the way, there were a number of new housing developments. *
		Past the middle Atlas Mountains. *
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		That evening, we ate at a rooftop restaurant recommended by our hotel. *
		A very typical Moroccan first course: an assortment of salads. *
		The street below the restaurant. *
		In the morning, we visited the Jardin Majorelle which was established by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and later bought by Yves Saint Laurent. †
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		Then a brief look at the Koutoubia Mosque, which also has a minaret similar to the way the Seville Giralda was before it was Christianised. *
		The tourist horse carriages were attracting as much custom as those in Sevilla. *
		Then into the Medina (Old Town) to look at the shops and stalls. *
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		On to the Medersa Ben Youssef, which used to be a major Islamic theological college. Study is now undertaken at the University. †
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		The students lived in the building, in very simple rooms. *
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		Finally, the Museum of Marrakesh, housed in Dar Menebhi Palace which was built at the end of the 19th century and has typical classical Andalusian architecture arranged round a central courtyard with a fountain. *
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		The courtyard is now roofed. *
		In the evening, we went to the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, and wandered around looking at the stalls selling every kind of food. *
		The stalls are set up every evening, and are taken away by morning. *
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		We ate at this stall. Prawns, calamari, chips and potato salad for the equivalent of $10. *

Another car transfer the next morning, back to Casablanca.