Final Lunch in Morocco...

We enjoyed a final Moroccan lunch on the terrace by the pool, then just hung out until our taxi arrived to take us to the airport.

Our trip came to an end much too soon. I must confess that I was surprised how much I enjoyed this trip. Despite my reservations about going to Morocco, we had great adventures, saw beautiful scenery, stayed at lovely hotels, met friendly people, had a lot of fun shopping and enjoyed good food. We also had fantastic family time and good times with friends. Here’s to many more adventures!

Clues to the Mysterious Complex...

Part of urbex is trying to piece together the purpose of abandoned buildings. We found a 1995 calendar and  some invoices for food.

Too bad these boxes of Moroccan wine were empty

We finally pieced together that this was a large restaurant called L’Oasis de Marrakech that featured dancing fountains in the center, which probably closed in 1995. Best of all, we made it in and out without getting into trouble.

Exploring an Abandoned Complex...

At first we thought this was an old hotel, but when we saw PVC pipe, we realized it couldn’t have been very old. We also couldn’t find any hotel rooms, but found the remains of several giant kitchens (although all the appliances and fixtures had been stripped out).

The little amount of furniture still left had all been vandalized. 

We were surprised when approached by a local. We thought he wanted us to leave, but despite our complete lack of common language, we eventually figured that he just wanted to make sure we weren’t seen from the road. 

Urbex in Marrakech...

Jimmy has always had a fascination with abandoned buildings, so when he spotted what appeared to be an old disused hotel near our villa, he couldn’t wait to explore. This time he even suckered me into coming along despite my concerns about spending time in a Moroccan jail.

We entered the complex by crossing a downed fence, then crawling through a hole in an outer wall. Once inside, we found a lot of interesting architecture.

Back at Villa Vanille...

Posing with our antique teapot and tray

Walking Like an Eqyptian

Henna Time...

After walking past the henna artists several times, the girls asked if they could get a hand decorated.

At the last minute, Jimmy negotiated for the lady to do my hand as well. While the girls picked out their designs from a photo album, she did my design from memory.

New Experiences in the Souk...

Shopkeeper Abdul lived in California for over 20 years before returning to Marrakech. When he found out that I was a California girl, he invited us for tea. Of course, he also invited us to buy bags for the girls and stone camels for friends and he helped Jimmy to find an antique teapot and tray from other vendors.

The fellow that sold Jimmy the tray, then invited us to see the looms where bedspreads and drapes are made.

Lunch in the Souk...

The food was good and the view was fantastic at this little restaurant right in the middle of the action.

Back to the Souk...

We started the day with breakfast on our patio. Rather than hanging at the villa, we all wanted to go back into the city to do some shopping in the souk. It was a bummer that Vivynne and family never had a chance to really explore the souk as we were happy to wander it for hours. Luckily the owner of the villa had a special arrangement with a taxi company so it was easy to get there and back.

Jimmy enjoyed playing with his GoPro

Veronica chose to wear a headscarf, but she still stood out

A Beautiful Ending to our Journey...

After the tour of Marrakech, Vivynne, Tony, Ariana and Max were dropped off at the train station to catch a train to Casablanca, where they were catching a flight home the next morning. We were then dropped off at our next hotel, where we’d be spending two nights. I’d chosen a location outside the city so we could relax. I didn’t realize just how far outside the city until we reached the dirt road that led to Villa Vanille. It was time to say goodbye to Khaled and enjoy our final two days on our own.

The Toubkal Suite was amazing and unlike any place we’d ever stayed before. The Villa was built in the 90s as a private home and converted to a hotel a few years ago with eight rooms and two swimming pools.

The girls opted to sleep in the little reading room instead of the main room that had two twin beds. Jimmy and I were happy to see that the bath could fit two.

Djemaa el-Fnaa...

The main square was pretty chaotic with a variety of performers. We tried our best to pass through it quickly.

Apparently this square is quite a sight to see in the evenings as dozens of food stalls set up, but we missed seeing them.

It was a bit disconcerting to learn two days before arriving in Marrakech that there had been a bombing of one of the restaurants in this square in April 2011 that killed 17 people. Luckily, other than the rock thrown through the window, we never felt in any danger.

Back to Marrakech...

It was quite a shock when we arrived in Marrakech and heard what sounded like a gunshot. For some crazy  reason someone threw a rock through the back side window of our minibus. It grazed Khaled, but luckily he wasn’t injured.

After we took Khaled and Hussein out for a traditional Moroccan lunch, we went on a 2-hour tour of Marrakech with a local guide (as a mountain guide, Khaled is not allowed to give a city tour and vice versa). Unfortunately, the guide wasn’t good with the kids. The most interesting place he took us was Ben Youssef Madrasa, a Islamic college built in 1565 and closed in 1960. The mosaics and intricate carvings were beautiful

Storks in Morocco...

Similar to when we walked around Marrakech, we saw several storks above the buildings in Ouarzazate. This nest was undoubtedly the strangest we saw. I’ve heard that the taller the nest, the more years that the storks have returned to it.

We viewed this stork on the minaret during a quick walk around the kasbah and then again from the rooftop terrace of our hotel. It was too chilly to eat dinner outside, but we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast on the terrace in the morning.

Final Night Together...

We spent our final night with Vivynne, Tony, Ariana and Max at Dar Kamar, a lovely hotel with 14 rooms in an old house in the middle of the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate. Our room was simple yet classy and very comfortable; the hot shower was especially appreciated after our night of camping.

Pottery Cooperative...

Our next stop was the village of Tamegroute where we glanced at a 17th century zaouia (a Koranic school). We then went inside the medieval library that held over 4,000 ancient texts including a 14th century Koran and walked through the ancient medina before finally coming to the pottery cooperative.

Over half of the villagers take turns working in the pottery factory in exchange for housing. Green is the predominant color.

Vivynne bought a plate and we bought a spice holder. We also gave a soccer ball to some of the village boys.

Another Camel Caravan...

The girls were excited about getting back on their camels. Jimmy and I both opted to walk back so we’d be in better positions to shoot video and take photos. The journey back took less than an hour as they led us on a more direct route back.