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@Marrakesh مراكش

Marrakesh, Medinas and Mosaics
First stop: the Menara Palace and Gardens. Karim said that the iconic 12th-century pavilion was a testa­ment to Moor­ish architect­ural prowess. The gently trickling water from the ancient aque­ducts was a sooth­ing back­ground, whilst the vibrant plumage of exotic birds flitting from branch to branch added a dash of colour to the mono­chromatic beauty of the building.

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@Calm Lake Scene

The Menara Gardens were a tranquil retreat stemming from a by­gone era. Strolling through the meticulous­ly manicured grounds, the pets were greet­ed by the soft rustle of olive trees and the sweet perfume of orange blossoms waving in the warm breeze.

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@Menara Gardens, Marrakech

The emerald carpet of grass stretched towards the horizon and the majestic sil­hou­ette of the Atlas Mountains. The Menara Gardens are not just a place to visit; they are a sensory journey through time, inviting all who wander to un­wind in the embrace of nature.

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@Post Box

When the pets had climbed back onto the coach, Karim announced that their next two stops, very close by in the city centre, were both a cele­bration of Moroccan civil­isation and the vast­ness of Morocco's cultural heritage: the Madrasa Ben-Youssef and the Bahia Palace.

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@Stucco ornament, historic Koranic School

At the Madrasa Ben-Youssef, Karim explained that 'madrasa' was the Arabic word for any type of educa­tion­al institution. "This," beam­ed Karim, "is an architect­ural treasure! It was built by the then Sultan in the mid 16th century and was the place all scholars aspired to study."

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@قصر الباهية Bahia Palace

"The Bahia Palace was intended to be the greatest palace of its time and to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style," said Karim. "Indeed, the name 'Bahia' means 'brilliance'. It was built in the 1860s for the use of the Grand Vizir of the Sultan."

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@المدينة المنورة بمراكش Medina, Marrakech

"The medina," explained Karim, "is the name of the old city. From the air it looks like a giant beehive, and inside the medina there are almost endless activities to do. It is surrounded by 10 miles (16 km) of ramparts built in the year 1122."

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@Marketplace, Marrakech

"Until more than 100 years ago," continued Karim, "the entire city of Marrakech and its commercial activities were located within these walls, certainly before it began its economic expansion. At night it is still very busy and vibrant."

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@باب باب اجناو Bab Agnaou Gate

"Whenever I walk through the Bab Agnaou Gate," declared Karim, "I feel as if I've been trans­ported back in time! The grand arch of intricately carved red sand­stone stands proudly, whisper­ing tales of the imperial city's storied past. As I step over the threshold, the buzz of the modern world fades away, replaced by the sweet scent of spices wafting through the air. The cobble­stone path leads you deep­er into the heart of the medina. The gate­way's intricate patterns are a blend of Moor­ish and Andalusian influences."

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@Toubkal

The next day, leaving the chaotic charm of the city behind them, the pets were taken further afield. The grandeur of the Atlas Mountains, with Toubkal as their crown jewel, was nothing short of breath­taking. "This is the highest point in North Africa," said Karim. "Toubkal is 13,671 feet high (4167 metres).

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@Snow-Clad Peaks

"We won't be climbing it, but we are going to make the trek to base camp," continued Karim.
The path wound through ancient mule tracks. The sun played hide and seek with the clouds, cast­ing dramatic shadows over the land­scape, and the distant call of a muezzin echoed through the valleys, a poignant remind­er of the deep-rooted culture that thrives here.

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@Kasbah, Atlas Mountains, nr Ourika

When they returned, they had a 40-mile drive to Ourika, still in the Moroccan Atlas Mountain region. They visited a kasbah built in adobe over­looking a fertile valley. "The kasbah is the citadel, or fortified quarter of a North African city," explained Karim.

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@Kasbah Ait Benhaddou

Their next trip was to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Karim told them that Kasbahs are tradition­al fortresses or fortified villages, and Ait Benhaddou is a well-preserved example of southern Moroccan architecture.

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@Ait Benhaddou Kasbah

"The land­scape features arid hills and mountains, with a hint of snow-capped peaks in the distance. Morocco's rich history and diverse land­­scapes attract many tourists," said Karim.

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@Old Architecture

Ait Benhaddou was located along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marra­kech and had been used as a film­ing location for several movies and TV shows, including Game of Thrones.

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@Kasbah Ait Benhaddou

The structure in the foreground was a mud-brick building typical of the region, with a wooden door and decorative elements. Colourful textiles were dis­played in the fore­ground, for sale to tourists.

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@Historic Morocco

The kasbah's labyrinthine alleys revealed a world of earthen homes with intricate wooden doors and decorative grilles. It was easy to imagine the lives that once un­folded within these walls, the hustle and bustle of a community going about their daily routines, the laughter echo­ing through the narrow corridors.

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@Kasbah Amridil, oasis of Skoura

"This is an architectural gem that testifies to the ingenuity and rich­ness of Moroccan heritage," said Karim.

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@Old Architecture

The view from the top was breathtaking. The desert sprawled out before them, an endless sea of sand and rock, punctuated by the vibrant green of the oasis that cradled the kasbah. The river snaked through the valley below, a life­blood that had nurtured this bastion of civilisation for generations.

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@Old Fortress

The pets could see for miles, the rugged beauty of Morocco laid bare before their eyes. It was a moment of pro­found peace, a chance to breathe in the time­less spirit of the desert.

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@Dadès Gorge

"Right here in central Morocco, the Dadès Gorge should be at the top of the bucket list for those seek­ing adventure, astonish­ing scenery and immersion into authentic Berber culture. The gorge—a series of separate gorges—was carved out by the passage of the Dades River and is navigable via a road known locally as the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs," said Karim.

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@Hairpin Bend Highway

Karim continued: "Those who drive along its hairpin bends can expect to dis­cover astonish­ing rock form­ations in colours that range from tan and cream to gold, sienna and smoky purple. The historic kas­bahs and ksour, or fortified villages, of the Berber people over­look the valley, where the river breathes life into groves of palm and almond trees."

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@Hairpin Highway

Karim explained to the group that local people still inhabit some of these villages, while many of the kasbahs have been con­verted into boutique hotels for Dadès Gorge explorers. Local people have learnt to use the river to irrigate rose fields, olive groves and thatches of almond and palm.

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@Sand Dunes in the Sahara

"Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco's several ergs," said Karim. "Ergs are large seas of dunes formed by wind-blown sand. It is located on the far western edge of the Sahara Desert. There are several other ergs in Morocco, such as Erg Chigaga near M'hamid."

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@Dromedaries of the Sahara

Karim described a camel trek he had been on once. "The camels, seemingly impervious to the heat, plodded on with a stoic grace. Their eyes, lined with thick lashes, reflect­ed a world-weary wisdom that spoke of count­less journeys through this ancient land."

Neela has enjoyed touring Morocco, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so they can also enjoy this event!