a change in culture .....

We are in Marrakech and it has brought back many of the sounds, smells and tastes I remember from my couple of years in Libya. The town is nothing like I remember from Libya though .... everything is red or shades thereof. Very ordered and green and at present, full of oranges trees abundant with fruit. Our riad Villa des Oranges is true to its name, sporting a selection of ornamental oranges and the pool surrounded by grasses and olives. Rose bushes are pruned right back and yet all the rooms and tables are festooned with roses - vases of them or long stems of them arranged in the fountains in each courtyard. The riad is a fine example of exquisite local craftsmanship - beautifully carved plaster work and every attention to detail. Quite a treat to stay here.

I will include a few photos taken around the riad and some of my favourites of our wander around the city and the souks. It is not so easy to label photos or specify what is what using this iPad method of blogging but at least you will see a few of the things I am seeing. If it is not too late for us to check in, we are heading up to the Atlas mountains tomorrow. They are a great surprise here in Marrakech which lies on the plain - every now and then you round a corner and see these snow clad mountains rising up out of the desert! Very striking.