Riad Zakaria

driving around the Palmeraie

by angiebabe

Most people i think might miss the Palmeraie, unless they were on a carriage ride or read up and prepared beforehand of the recommended sights to see, or on a tour.

I was with a group of my friends friends who were visiting from Australia, i think if i hadnt asked and recommended that we get taken there as they had a car but with quite unmotivated moroccan driver we wouldnt have got there. in fact we had a fast straight through drive and then dropped off to amuse ourselves at the well known to me amazing Marjorelle gardens.

i got my moroccan friend to take me again later at a better pace, got some good shots and enjoyed the extravagance that could be seen behind the high walls around the residences in the palmeraie. i have excellent architecture books, especially those published by Taschen, including stunning homes in the palmeraie.
This June i had the privilige of taking my best friend around the palmeraie, which she enjoyed as an elite suburb of Marrakech, seeing the camels at hand for the tourists, seeing the very upmarket golf course and homes - and being able to buy the best postcards i have seen for sale in Morocco at cheaper than most other places!!

Dont miss it!

by hazagogo about Narwama

This place has a great feel, it is incredibly grand and the moment you walk in you will be wowing! Its a thai/moroccan fusion restaurant so loads of great flavours to be absorbed. The music is pretty cool too.

Apparently it is frequented by royalty, and you can really see why. Its definitley worth splashing out the few extra pennies for a treat at this place.

Saadian tombs

by Raja500

We visited this place but was disapointed that you can't go inside the main building where the tombs are housed, which is beautifully decorated and where people were lining up to take photos, from outside the building.

El Badi Palace was grand in...

by hajin

El Badi Palace was grand in its day, but only the foundation is left in Marrakesh (I think all the beautiful mosaics and tiling went to one of the other imperial cities). What's left of the place seems to be the home of every stork in Morocco.
What a great place to wander and explore...there are few signs and no one to stop you from wandering into dark hallways and 'rooms.' And a very special part of the visit was that our friend, Mohamed had never had the opportunity to see the inside of the palace before so there were three curius tourists there.

Traveling during Ramadan

by iris2002

"In case you travel during Ramadan ..."

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months. It begins with the sighting of the new moon after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact between dawn and sunset. However, that is merely the physical component of the fast; the spiritual aspects of the fast include refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of thought and action is paramount. Ordained in the Quran, the fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of God-consciousness. The act of fasting redirects the hearts away from worldly activities, towards The Divine.

The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. It is common to have one meal (known as the Suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the Iftar), directly after sunset. This meal will commonly consist of dates, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him.

Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal.

"The Salaat - the holy prayer"

For those interested in the more religious ritual... Before the Salaat

1. Body, clothes and place of prayer must be clean.
2. Performing of wudu (ritual ablution) if needed.
3. Women are required to cover their hair.
4. Facing the Qibla, the direction of Mecca.
5. Standing erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.
6. Recite Iqama (private call to prayer)

And here is what we heard daily ----- at 3am, 4am, 5am, and many times through our trek as a wake up call --- (thank God for earplugs, no offense!) ---- even in the remotest areas, the prayer echoed from the mountains and valleys:
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llaahu Akbar (4x)
Ashhadu Allah ilaaha illa-Lah (2x)
Ash Hadu anna Muhamadar rasuulullah (2x)
Hayya' alas Salaah (2x)
Hayya' ala Falaah (2x)
A-Salaatu Khayrun Mina-Naum (2x)
Qad qaamitis Salaah (2x) [Iqama only - not recited in Athan]
Allaahu Akbar (2x)
Laa ilaaha illa-Lah

which translates to ...
God is great. (x4)
I bear witness that there none worthy of worship except God. (x2)
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. (x2)
Come to prayer. (x2)
Come to felicity. (x2)
Prayer is better than sleep. (x2) --- (NO, not at 4am in the morning it ain't, sorry!!)
Our prayers are now ready. Our prayers are now ready. (x2)
God is great. (x2)
There is none worthy of worship except God.
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All our muleteers, and our guide, cook and helpers had to fast during the day - regardless how extreme the trek was. They are only allowed to eat before and after sunset during Ramadan, which lasts a month.
HOW they coped without water and food whilst heaving us up those steep mountains and passes, is beyond me....

... but they have my deepest respect.

"TIPS"

1) BE respectful of the tradition, even if it might strike you as strange or unnecessary

2) Do NOT take pictures unless you ask a person permission (and let me tell you the answer during Ramadan in 99% a no
If you fail to do so, you can experience a very aggressive response which can be quite threatening and scary

3) Girls - if you don't want to be spat at or hassled - DO wear sensible clothes, meaning - shorts or mini-skirts, skimpy t-shirts are a no-no, not only during Ramadan.

4) During Ramadan people are much more on 'tender hooks' - no surprise.... so try to be friendly and calm in the markets.

5) It helps a lot to know some basic french

6) Try to be discreet if you have to eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan -- I saw two women tourists ahead of me smoking and they were spat at by another woman and pursued by 2 more shouting at them (might have had to do with the boob-tubes too)

you do not want to get involved in a brawl... trust me - we saw many heated debates where in 2.5 seconds a crowd of supporters surrounded the 2 arguers...