Ma Salama

Our last morning , we woke to clear blue skies, although a chill in the air. Of course there was still some last minute shopping to be done, comments to be added to the Riads’s guestbook and the usual fuss of departure.

One last stroll through the Souk, with which we have now become familiar and confident. Some more haggling over the price of Nigella seeds, nougat and other very necessary bits to be bought!

We had planned to visit the Royal Mansour Hotel, reputed to be the most splendid and expensive in Africa, but alas it will have to wait til the next time.

We hope to return, inshallah, to this beautiful Red City that captured our hearts. The culture, the colours, the smell of the spices, the sounds of the Souk, the creativity within Nature and the beauty of ancient and modern Architecture enveloped us in an exoticism that heightened our senses.

The kindness and hospitality we enjoyed in Riad Joya was fantastic. Nourredine ensured we were safe, that we enjoyed the best restaurants and his recommendations were superb. The Riad Joya was elegant and serene and an oasis of calm in which to relax, after busy days and enabled us to recharge the batteries, usually with a glass of wine, before venturing out again for the evening!

So, we see the majestic snow-covered Atlas Mountains on the horizon, as we take off, it is au revoir to Marrakesh, to Riad Joya and to Nourredeine .

Ma Salama! We shall return!