Ouarzazate Tour last part; Going Back to Marrakesh

4-days Morocco Self-guided Solo Tour
July 03 to July 06, 2014

Ouarzazate tour 4th part; Berber Desert Camp at night

This was the 2nd day of the Zagora 2D1N tour. After having our breakfast around 0600H, guides advised us to packed up our things as we will be living by 0700H. Then we started to camel back ride again but this transportation lasted only around less than an hour as our mini-bus transportation was already waiting on the main road. Around 0830H we started to hit the road passing by the High Atlas Mountain going back to Marrakesh.

The High Atlas is a region in Morocco covering the mountain range and surrounding destinations such as Marrakech. It's a regular destination for mountain hikers, ski enthusiasts, or travellers interested in the indigenous Berber culture found throughout its many peaks and valleys. The Atlas mountains are home to relatively pure Berber populations, who live in earthen adobe houses. Marrakech is the only Moroccan city with a recognizable Berber ambiance, being situated at the base of the southern Atlas mountains. The color of Marrakech is the color of the Berbers - reddish, ochre and earth tones are the only colors you see adorning the adobe buildings, giving the impression that the entire city springs from the earth. 

http://wikitravel.org/en/High_Atlas

from Berber Desert Camping going back to Marrakesh

Marrakesh Walk Tour last part; Jemaa El Fna Square at Night

4-days Morocco Self-guided Solo Tour
July 03 to July 06, 2014

Marrakesh walk tour 1st part; Strolling the Old Medina

How to go to Place Jemaa El Fna;
From Marrakesh Airport, just go to the only Airport arrival exit and the bus #19 is waiting there every 30 minutes. Fare costs 30MAD ($3.7) which has around 20 minute travel to the last stop, Place Jemaa. Photography and video taking is permitted.

The cultural space of Jemaa El Fna square has been proclaimed masterpiece of the intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO. The Jamaa El Fna Square is situated in the heart of the Medina. The cultural and artistic crossroads is used not only as a meeting piece for local people, but also for story tellers, acrobats, musicians, dancers, smoke charmers, traditional healers and fortune-tellers. It is also a plate for trading and entertainment. The Square is a model for urban planning giving priority to people, culture, encounter and exchange.

During the day it is predominantly occupied by orange juice stalls, youths with chained Barbary apes, water sellers in colourful costumes with traditional leather water-bags and brass cups, and snake charmers who will pose for photographs for tourists. As the day progresses, the entertainment on offer changes: the snake charmers depart, and late in the day the square becomes more crowded, with Chleuh dancing-boys (it would be against custom for girls to provide such entertainment), story-tellers (telling their tales in Berber or Arabic, to an audience of appreciative locals), magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines. As darkness falls, the square fills with dozens of food-stalls as the number of people on the square peaks. The square is edged along one side by the Marrakesh souk, a traditional North African market catering both for the common daily needs of the locals, and for the tourist trade. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jemaa_el-Fnaa
 

Marrakesh walk tour; Jemaa El Fna Square at night

Marrakesh Walk Tour 1st part; Strolling the Old Medina

4-days Morocco Self-guided Solo Tour
July 03 to July 06, 2014

Marrakesh Airport arrival in the morning

How to go to Old Medina;
From Marrakesh Airport, just go to the only Airport arrival exit and the bus #19 is waiting there every 30 minutes. Fare costs 30MAD ($3.7) which has around 20 minute travel to the last stop, Place Jemaa. Photography and video taking is permitted.

The name Marrakesh originates from the Amazigh (Berber) words mur akush, which means "Land of God." It is the third largest city in Morocco, after Casablanca and Rabat, and lies near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. It is a few hours from the foot of the Sahara Desert. Its location and contrasting landscape has made it an enviable destination in Morocco. The city is divided into two distinct parts: the Medina, the historical city, and the new European modern district called Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle. The Medina is full of intertwining narrow passageways and local shops full of character. In contrast, Gueliz plays host to modern restaurants, fast food chains and big brand stores. 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Marrakech

Marrakesh's Old Medina (Koutoubia Mosque)