To Marrakesh

We drove back from Essaouira to Marrakesh this morning (Sunday 27th), arriving in time for lunch served at the divine Jardin Majorelle.  About an hour out of Essaouira we were amused to see this sight (pic below) on the side of the road.  The local goat farmers have noticed that tourists are intrigued by seeing their goats feeding off the leaves of the argan trees, so one enterprising fellow has taught his goats to set themselves up in this well placed tree, near to the highway, so they can look like supermodels when the tourists stop to take pictures. Of course a small fee is required to take a picture!  It's a very lucrative business judging by the number of cars that stopped at this tree.

Rob is feeling quite a bit better today though not a lot of energy to spare. I was pleased to get a picture of him up and about today - especially against the Majorelle blue walls of the former residence of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge at their former home, the Jardin Majorelle.

The garden provides great lessons in working with a dry, arid climate..there are lots of palms and cactus, some hardy ferns and loads of succulents.

We said goodbye to Rachid and Mohommed, our wonderful guide and driver from Morocco Expert Tours (and we were very sad to say goodbye too!) at our Riad Ksar Anika.

Maxie, Rod and I braved a late afternoon walk to the famous Square Jemaa El Fna and saw first hand the snake charmers, musicians, henna artists, scam artists and food sellers that make this square famous. We only walked part way around a section of its perimeter, so as not to lose our bearings on our first day in Marrakesh - we will do more tomorrow.

Back in the peace and quiet of our beautiful, classy riad we were served dinner in the pavilion overlooking the courtyard pool, probably the most beautiful setting of any of the riads we have stayed in thus far!