The High Atlas Mountains lay to the south and east of the Plain of Marrakech. After a period of rain we saw the mountains in the distance were carpeted in snow, dazzling in the sunshine. The chilled air from the mountains cooled the city and the day-time temperature plummeted to 16°. We chose these cooler days to take a taxi either to the supermarket or into Marrakech for lunch and a bit of sightseeing. On sunnier days the temperature rose to 22° and we preferred to relax in the beautiful gardens at Le Relais.
Set within the ancient medina was Le Jardin Secret, all that remained of a 16th century Sultan’s palace. The walled gardens had recently been restored and were kept cool by streams fed by a system of wells and pipes laid down 150 years previously. Afterwards we strolled through the medina eventually finding our way to the Jamaa El Fna Square, a large tourist area surrounded by cafés and restaurants. There were stalls selling freshly squeezed fruit juice, snake charmers, henna artists, musicians and sellers of tat. Birds, monkeys, even tortoises provided a photo opportunity for visitors. Each evening at dusk the square became alive with stalls selling food – grilled meats, sausages, soup, fried fish and spicy snails.
