MOROCCO – magnificent and mysterious

Majida Bargach graciously organized and guided our group of 9 adults and 4 children for 4 glorious and magical days in Morocco.  Majida, a Moroccan, lives and works at U.Va. and was serving from Ghana through Morocco as the SAS Interport Lecturer. 

Our tour, arranged prior to the Spring 2013 voyage, included visits to two of Majida’s family residences; public souks, palaces, and gardens; to a distinctly Moroccan hotel, and to an amazing Kasbah.  Along with Majida, our group included theAcademic Dean Sharon Hostler, her son Dylan Dimmock and family, her daughter Kaki Dimmock, the Registrar Maggie Harden and family, and Melvin and me. In two minivans we caravanned from Casablanca to the capital city Rabat, then to Marrakech and finally to the High Atlas Mountains where we stayed at the unforgettable Kasbah Toubkal.

Freshly baked warm bread from a cart.

We were taken to a portal in the old city walls of the medina to visit the spectacular residence of Majida's grandfather. 

In the souks of Rabat the merchants are neither aggressive nor sharp so shopping was pleasant.  Additionally, Majida opened her grandfather’s elaborate home built nearly 100 years ago in the ramparts of the city wall – and we were awestruck. The residence is used today only by the 12 grandchildren for their functions and private events.

The entry hall to the reception area of Majida's Grandfather's  residence. 

A part of one of 4 reception rooms located at the ordinals of the central courtyard. 

The central courtyard of the residence, open to the sky with sitting/reception rooms at each side of this area.

Rabat is a beautiful and ancient city, mostly white architecture, and the center of Moroccan government. Majida’s mother hosted an abundant luncheon in their distinguished home. 

Along the front of the house are 5 large elegant reception rooms with numerous sitting and dining areas. On the walls are photos of Majida's father with Churchill, Eisenhauer, Kennedy, Nixon, and many Arab Heads of State and dignitaries.  Impressive, for sure. 

Marrakech is a huge, busy city which attracts great numbers of tourists from all over the world.  In Marrakech there are snake charmers, dancing monkeys, belly dancers, camels, Berber performances, musicians, and of course hundreds of merchants selling everything Moroccan. The Square is noisy, aromatic, confusing, and even chaotic. Marrakech is the Red City because all the buildings are a warm glowing red color .

Check out my hand - I had just had henna applied in an ornamental design which lasted for about 2 weeks.

Hotel Diwane lobby in Marrakech from the 4 floor level.

Entrance to one of the souks in Marrakech. 

In the souk at Marrakech. 

Pleased, she had just sold me a bracelet. 

We enjoyed wonderful Moroccan meals – the food is very tasty and distinct. We enjoyed lively bargaining and shopping in the souks of the medinas, and marveled at the Moroccan landscapes. We met delightful Moroccan people and enjoyed their generosity.

Thank you Majida Bargach for your insightful and caring hospitality! Unforgetable.

A view through columns toward the central blue buildings of Jardin Marjorelle, the home of Ives St. Laurent in Marrakech. 

From Marrakech we drove through the hot dry landscape, through lovely green agricultural lands, up and up to the High Atlas Mountains.  Finally in the village of Imlil. We got out of the vans for the last ½ mile climb (while donkeys carried our luggage) up to the Kasbah du Toubkal.  A traditional Kasbah is a fortified house complex – and in this case it has been converted to an elegant hotel with breathtaking views of the mountains and the valleys.  Staying at Kasbah du Toubkal was like going to another world, another time, another reality. 

Hiking up to Kasbah du Toubkal.

The central complex of Kashbah du Toubkal.

Our walk down again to the village of Imlal.

Morning view toward the mountain.

We stayed in the 2nd level of the tower. 

Dinner on the terrace for our group of 13. 

The 6 hour drive back to Casablanca (which is also a white city) took too long so we missed a reception at Majida’s sister’s residence – so sorry!  As always on the MV Explorer, “On-ship Time” is completely and totally heeded!