Camels! Beach! Sunset! Life on the Atlantic Coast of Africa in EssaouiraThe Camels came every day to sit on the beach hoping tourists would want to go for a ride, or have their picture taken, or maybe they were enjoying being at home on the sand. EssaouiraWhen we walked to the south end of the beach we liked viewing this rock out cropping we called Camel Rock. This is where the river outflow is mixing with the sea. EssaouiraOn the north end of Essaouira beach is the Port with Morocco’s largest Fishing Fleet. And lots of gulls looking for an easy meal!Near sunset, some of the fishing boats at the Port Bastion — you can see the canons on the top of the Scala, dating back to the Portuguese Era. This area has been in use since the Phoenicians — pre-Roman times. EssaouiraLooking towards the North Bastion and the Medina Skala. A lively square in the foreground before you dive into the maze of alleys of the souks. EssaouiraBut of course some are ‘Too Busy Saving The World’!!!Enjoying the sunset from the North Bastion with the soaring gulls. EssaouiraAFCON-26 has Fan Zones set up around the country to watch the African Football Championships. EssaouiraMorocco made it to the Finals! The Essaouira JumboTron showing all the action — AFCON-26. Afterwards the fans drove around in cars and motorcycles tooting their horns for an hour and a half.Spices are everywhere even in the grocery store. EssaouiraWe had a good chicken tagine and couscous lunch at Riad Mimouna overlooking the sea. EssaouiraWalking through the tide pools — at the north beach — during low tide. EssaouiraHorse riding on the beach at Sunset. Love how the sun melts into the ocean. EssaouiraCan you have too many sunsets??? And with another horse riding on the beach in Essaouira!
An hour drive south from Marrakech into the foothills brought us to the village of Amizmiz and the precious Maroc Lodge Atlas Mountain Retreat.The peaceful boutique hotel’s restaurant is where we had our breakfast and dinners — many birds singing to us in the courtyard. Maroc Lodge.A warm fire, candlelight and a good home cooked meal was a nice way to end a tranquil gentle rainy day. Maroc LodgeThe lodge’s owner Bruno Dubois-Roquebert — standing under his father’s portrait. His father — a surgeon for King Mohammed V in Rabat — bought this property in 1939. Bruno regaled us with stories after dinner from his background transporting artworks — to his meeting Pierre Bergé and assisting with the Berber Museum at Majorelle Gardens. Bruno is presently on their Board of Directors!Amizmiz suffered a devastating earthquake in 2023 which is now mostly all recovered — Maroc Lodge luckily did not have damage. Due to the rains we unfortunately did not explore the surrounding area.The garden pathways are softly lit at night with lovely lanterns. Only a third of the property is developed– leaving the rest natural for future walking paths. Maroc LodgeOur large villa under huge olive trees — aptly called ‘Serenity’ by previous guests — furnished with family furniture and Berber artifacts. Architect Claire Patteet was hired to make this vision a reality to honor Bruno’s father. Maroc LodgeAnother wander through the gardens by a wonderful stone wall. We can appreciate why Bruno is a natural fit for the Marjorelle Gardens Foundation. It was our privilege to have time here and a visit with him.The gorgeous infinity pool! We would love to come back and enjoy it on a warmer day. This is a special mountain retreat — consider making some time in your life to be here. Maroc Lodge Atlas Mountain Retreat.
Musée de la Palmeraie was a treasure! We were fortunate to have it all to ourselves one peaceful Saturday morning. The owner — Abderrazzak Benchaâbane — was entrusted by Yves Saint Laurent in 1998 with rescuing and returning the Marjorelle Gardens to its former glory.The botanist’s residence houses his Moroccan modern art collection — this striking untitled piece spoke ‘Marrakech’ to us. Musée de la PalmeraieA meditation pergola in the serene water garden — looking back at the Andalusian style home. The gardens clearly reflect his passion for creating beautiful spaces. Musée de la PalmeraieBenchaâbane is also known for creating perfumes that are lavish and entirely unique. One exhibit was on the complexity of perfumes — like explaining how some of the fragrants were distilled. Musée de la PalmeraieThis is not a painting, but it sure looks like one! The entry to the cactus garden……A fabulous density of cacti. We appreciated seeing a lesser known but exquisite garden — that was an inspiration for YSL and revitalizing Majorelle Gardens. A great article on the owner.An oasis of tranquility. We enjoyed our visit to Musée de la Palmeraie.Wow! A most fabulous 2 January sunrise from our condo overlooking Marrakech.Marrakech also has the Musée Mohammed VI Civilization of Water in Morrocco. This is a comprehensive explanation of the country’s water resource — how it was distributed in ancient times as well as today. The displays and scale models were amazingly educational and fascinating — we discovered so much about water usage in the dry desert climate of Northern Africa.We learned all about how Morocco conserves water during drought, its water storage, desalination facilities, and how it is moving into the future — making sure water is available to all. It is a leading nation setting new precedents.
A perfect day to head into the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains! Gorgeous snow capped views along the route.We navigate the mountain roads — above the Ait Mizane Valley — to the village of Imlil.We find a rooftop cafe in Imlil for some coffee before beginning our hike up to the snowy High Atlas Mountains.We trek – climbing the cascading waterfalls for about an hour to the traditional Amazigh (Berber) village of Aroumd — on a tourist office postcard perfect day. (this is our photo!)A herder follows his sheep to the valley floor through Aroumd, with Mount Toubkal presiding — North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 m (13,671 ft).A panoramic photo of Mount Toubkal. That is ‘panoramic’ indeed! The local children have rounded up some downhill skis and found an area to have snow-play fun in the high altitude sunshine.We caught up with the sheep grazing peacefully on a freshly watered green meadow.Enjoying the sunshine on the last day of 2025……And appreciating we’ve explored another corner of the world near Toubkal National Park.We found a great spot for having a picnic lunch and savored the view — near Aroumd with majestic Mount Toubkal as a backdrop.Back at our condo’s balcony in Marrakech with its view of the snow capped range — we will remember our fabulous journey to the High Atlas Mountains!
‘Koutoubia Minaret’ is the center of Marrakech and visible throughout the city. The 12th-century, 250ft-high minaret with it’s Amazigh square design — it’s the prototype for the Giralda tower in Seville, Spain and Le Tour Hassan in Rabat (Morocco’s capital).Within the Medina — the old historic walled town — are the Souks (marketplace) with their labyrinth of narrow streets. Every step brought us face-to-face with colorful handicrafts and bazaars. Every craft has its own special zone — a souk within the souk — each selling specific types of wares.We discovered ‘Le Jardin Secret’ — created when several courtyard mansions (riads) from the 16th-century were combined. There were exhibits explaining the complexity of the water distribution system and its extensive restoration.We browsed this alluring Souk — one of many specializing in spices! And wandered through endless souks — metalworkers, carpenters, tailors, cobblers, and Imazighen carpets — on our meandering way to……Ben Youssef Madrasa, a school established in the 1500’s for Koronic scholars. The restored building is beautiful, with carved stucco plasterwork (gibs), carved cedar, and the special Zellinger mosaic tile artwork. The large main courtyard — framed by two columned arcades — opens into a prayer hall.All the intricate carving — with Andulusian inspired details — are to assist the scholars in paying attention to the details of their studies. The details are elaborately decorated with rare palm motifs as well as more customary Islamic calligraphy. Ben Youssef MadrasaEach of the up to 900 scholars had a room — resembling monk’s cells — which would be furnished with some of these useful items to further their studies. Ben Youssef MadrasaWe found the ‘Le Mart’ rooftop restaurant for a tasty lunch of Meat Balls with egg (Kefta) Tagine and a fall-off-the-bone Chicken with fluffy Couscous Tagine. It’s as yummy as it looks!The 19-century ‘Bahia Palace’ was our outing for another day. Once the home to a harem, it’s a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens.Looking up at the carved archway in the middle separating two intricate carved-cedar painted ceilings with gibs cornices. Each room in Bahia Palace varies in size according to the importance of each wife or concubine.There was an exhibit by artist Aicha Aherdane whose work was as detailed as the ceilings.Stunning painting by Aicha AherdaneExiting the garden at the Bahia Palace through an intricately decorated gate, we head back to the Medina…… And a rooftop lunch at Kasbah Andalussiya of a Fish Tagine and a burger (not a tagine!) while enjoying this minaret next door……And the local stained glass lanterns above sparkling in the sunshine at Kasbah Andalussiya.Our fabulous Z condo just south of the Medina feels a world away from the old walled town and we appreciate the tranquility. Prestigia Jade at Montgomerie Golf Course.
Yves Saint Laurent’s history with Marrakech began in 1966 when he first visited. This museum was completed in 2017 — the design and fantastic brick work plays homage to the rich textiles he used in his fashion designs. The architects, Studio KO, also played with the contrast between curves and straight lines.Like his fashion designs, there are aspects in the architecture just to delight your senses. Musée Yves Saint Laurent1965, he gave us the Mondrian Dress! See a detailed biography of his career here. We saw a unique personal collection of YSL fashion by Hamish Bowles — editor of Australian Vogue.Dessert at Le Studio was another sensory delight! Date infused ice cream, date cake with a caramel sauce… Musée Yves Saint LaurentA very popular attraction with limited capacity, we were first in line for our timed tickets to enter Jardin Majorelle.Designed in 1922 — purchased in 1980 by YSL and Pierre Bergé, Jardin Majorelle — is an oasis of cactus and palm trees.Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) was a French orientalist painter and son of the famous Art Nouveau furniture designer, Louis Majorelle. He arrived in Morocco in 1917, was seduced by Marrakech, purchasing a vast palm grove in 1923 that by 1947 would become the Jardin Majorelle we know today. Photo of Lily Pond reflections.Loved these terracotta lantern sentinels! Fun also to see Islamic water features among cacti from all over the world. Jardin MajorelleMajorelle’s artist studio — 1931 art deco style by architect Paul Sinoir. The walls were painted in the now famous “Majorelle Blue” and are still captivating everyone today.It is now called Villa Oasis and was YSL home and studio. Currently exhibiting the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts since December 2011 — the jewelry room was spectacularly lit as if under a sea of stars.Such fun attention to details. And the sky is Majorelle Blue today as well.The sun was a welcome performer — giving us some interesting shadow patterns.So colorful as is much of Marrakech and the designs of YSL.Pierre Bergé was YSL life long partner — he created a foundation and donated this home, their garden, their art collections, and built the new museum — really a gift to the world.A fabulous day in Marrakech! Inspirational design every where we looked! Even the nature patterns of the cactus – in Jardin Majorelle
On the road to Ouzoud. Look at the majestic snow capped Atlas Mountains! We picked up our rental car at Casablanca airport for our four hour drive on mostly very decent roads.The impressive Hotel Borj des Cascades is our destination for three nights — feels so exotic and what we envisioned Morocco to be.As we hike down to experience the waterfalls — we paused to look back up at our Hotel Borj des Cascades — set high on the cliff.Cascades d’Ouzoud are some of the tallest in North Africa. The heavy rain storm we had while in Casa was much more significant here.The 360-foot drop of Cascades d’Ouzoud makes us feel a bit insignificant. The local Amazigh (Berber) communities used the river’s flow to power traditional grinding water mills.We hiked up the other side of the Al-Abid river gorge and enjoyed the panorama view — along with one of the native Barbary Macaque. Gorgeous!This cute young Barbary Macaque was very acrobatic and active. Considered an Old World Monkey — it is the only primate in Africa that survives north of the Sahara Desert — and one of only two monkeys without a visible tail, the other being the Japanese Macaque.Back at the Hotel Borj des Cascades, we could appreciate the waterfalls more after having hiked to its base and back.To Infinity and Beyond! Too cold to swim but enjoyable just relaxing and reflecting poolside. Hotel Borj des Cascades‘The pinch me’ view from from our room balcony! Hotel Borj des CascadesWe had an amazing Fish Tagine dinner as room service — since other guests were not dining in — very special and delicious. Hotel Borj des CascadesMorning sunshine on our balcony. Hotel Borj des CascadesWe took a day trip to UNESCO Global M’Goun Geopark Museum, in Azilal — which exhibited the fascinating geological history of the M’Goun Massif. Built in 2017, the museum illustrated the area’s geography beginning from the creation of the universe. It unraveled all the phases this region went through as it revealed the complete history of our planet. This skeleton of the Atlasaurus imelakei, — named after the Atlas Mountain ridge — it’s one of the largest known dinosaurs, discovered in 1979.We had more appreciation of the complex geography of these rolling red hills on our drive back to Ouzoud. We did not detour to see dinosaur footprints but we did detour to a natural bridge……A local guide led us on the hiking trail under the natural limestone bridge to this spot where the opening forms a perfect outline of the African Continent. With the recent rain storms — just a few days ago — this area was impassable with a torrent of water reaching up above my head level. Demnate – Imi n’Ifri Natural Bridge
“What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?” ” I came to Casablanca for the waters.” “The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.” “I was misinformed…”Everybody comes to Rick’s! This renovated Building is at one of the entries to the Ancient Medina.The Usual Suspects dressed for a Sunday lunch reservation. The Riad is built right on the 1700’s fortification wall.Of all the Gin Joints, In all the towns, In all the world… we walked into this one.This renovated traditional 1930’s Moroccan Riad — courtyard-style mansion — was built for painter Abdelkrim Al Ghattas, is now Rick’s Cafe.Here’s looking at you, Kid!Very elegant! Fine dining with salmon and lamb, wine and dessert. Rick’s CafeThere is so much Art Deco style architecture like the magnificent Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur — a striking 1930 landmark by French architect Paul Tournon. The flying buttresses along the roof have pronounced right angles instead of the usual sweeping curves in Gothic churches.The façade features two rectangular towers in the local Art Deco style — a French-Moroccan blend called Mauresque. The city is a dazzling collection of white buildings (Casa Blanca).Gorgeous interiors. The rectangular windows with modernist stained glass in vibrant red and indigo blue penetrate the upper parts of the church — reminiscent of traditional Arabic mosque decoration.We wandered around town enjoying the sights — but took way too many architecture photos to share!The Hassan II Mosque is the pride and joy of Morocco — completed in 1993. Purposely built on reclaimed land jutting into the Atlantic Ocean — reflecting a verse in the Qur’an saying, “the throne of Allah was built on water.”We joined a tour after a rainy night and really appreciated the reflections on the courtyard tiles of the minaret — the world’s second tallest at 210 meters (689 ft). Hassan II MosqueOrnate and Opulent — a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship — hand-carved plaster, gilded cedar ceilings, exquisite tile work, and acres of marble! The retractable roof slides opens for cooling during Ramadan. Hassan II MosqueSunset over the eastern Atlantic Ocean from our apartment in Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque tower peaking out. Excellent apartment in Oceans One.“We’re shocked! Shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!” So we put it all on 22 and let it roll! An evening at Rick’s CafeAs Time Goes By! A great jazz trio enlivened our second visit — the manager graciously sat us at an excellent table with a complementary glass of champagne!“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Dessert and champagne at Rick’s Cafe.
