Bonjour Marrakesh
I have just returned from a trip to the magical and chaotic city of Marrakesh and what a feast for the senses it was! From the colour and clamour of the medina to the labyrinthine souks and the buzzy moped congested streets of the ville nouvelle. I was returning with my two best friends- a sort of reunion trip to remember a backpacking holiday we did around Morocco over ten years ago. This time it was just a visit to Marrakesh to explore the souks and take in a slightly more luxurious view of the city.
We stayed in the utterly beautiful Riad L’Orangeraie – thank you Barbara for finding this- it was one of the highlights of the trip. This gorgeous Riad has a patio of orange trees, a trickling water fountain filled with red roses, a dipping pool, bedrooms lit with beautiful patterned lights and scattered with rose petals and the most amazing breakfasts that are served on the terrace offering a spectacular view of the city.
Moroccan breakfast consists of pancakes and honey, homemade yogurt and an array of fruits from oranges, pears and plums. The Riad’s breakfast incorporated continental favourites and Moroccan specialties from sticky orange and honey cakes and unusual pureed fruits like avocado and carrot served in delicate glasses.
A breakfast fit for royalty was served up each morning with the most hospitable, smiley faces and lots of piping hot coffee (which my friends enjoyed) and for me English tea. It was the perfect and very necessary start to a day haggling in the souks. Here’s the breakfast in pictures…
Breakfast of pears at the Riad L’Orangerie Marrakesh
Freshly squeezed orange juice, orange cake and pears at the Riad L’Orangerie Marrakesh
As I said Marrakesh is a city alive with verve, passion, music, madness, mayhem and snake-charming magic. I have so many posts to write from my trip so look out for the following in the coming weeks.
Magic Carpets in Marrakesh, Whiskey Moroccan- The Making of Moroccan Mint Tea, and an interview with Patrick Manac’h who founded the hidden gem that is the Maison de la Photographie.
Y’all come back now
Exotic plants in the morning sun on the terrace of Riad L’Orangeraie
All photographs by Ruth Griffin taken with Canon EOS 600D