Marrakech Day 4

Golf today meant another relatively early start.  However, Ingrid was already awake and suffering an upset stomach so had had a fitful night.  Ciaran and Pete met for breakfast leaving Ingrid to decide whether she wanted to play. Having emptied herself she felt a bit better so came to play. 

She probably shouldn't have as she was not feeling great and was a bit dehydrated - not good when temperatures are rising to the upper 20s and you do not think you can keep water down!  She made it round but decided to retire to catch up on a bit of sleep and liquids rather than go into Marrakech with the other three of us.

Ciaran, Barbara and Pete covered a lot of ground in the old city, getting a full spectre of the markets, the local quarters around the town (not all on purpose) and a regulated craft co-operative.

We also saw the outside of the main mosque and went into the Mamounia Hotel, where Churchill stayed on his visits to Marrakech.

We are due to have a Moroccan meal tonight, which will be approached by at least one of us with some caution.

Golf tomorrow morning, then some time by the pool before a transfer to the Airport and a late arrival back into Gatwick.

Marrakech Day 3

Today we had an even earlier start with a 7 o'clock pick-up.  Not for golf this time, but for a tour out across the Atlas Mountains and into the 'pre-Sahara'.  It was cloudy when we left and as we climbed up the mountains we went into the clouds, which rather spoils the views.  However, when we got near to the top of the pass (at some 7,300 feet), we spotted some blue sky and the clouds parted as we drove on.

We were treated to some wonderful views of the mountains and valleys and of the Berber villages.

We stopped off to visit a Kasbah (castle) which looked shabby from the outside and, indeed, from the inner courtyard. When we climbed to a higher level, there were some wonderfully tiled rooms, with Moorish doors and views out over the village.

Then on to a village down the valley where we lunched in a local cafe with views of one of the first stopping points for caravans leaving the Sahara on their way to Marrakech and on to the coast.  After lunch we visited the old town, across the river. This was a walled town on a river which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It has been used as the backdrop in many films from Lawrence of Arabia in 1961 to Game of Thrones in 2012 (with lots in between).

Then on through more eye opening scenery given that the rocks have been lifted up by Earth movement and weathered by downpours and meltwater off the mountains.

Once back on the main road it was back to our hotel to arrive as darkness was falling for a shower and a welcome glass!

Marrakech Day 2

Another early start for the golfers.  We were able to bring our tee time forward again and, therefore, got off ahead of most of those playing, which meant that we were able to play at our own pace.  We were playing at Samanah - said to be the second best course in Morocco.  Unfortunately, it is a course where caddies or buggies are compulsory (which none of us like).  The cheaper option is caddies - but these need an upgrade in training!

The weather was good - the sun was not always out so it was warm but not too hot.  The prickly pear near us was laden with fruit.

Post lunch was another session of reading by the pool.  Evening will be some cards and a meal in the Italian restaurant.

Marrakech Day 1

 After an evening punctuated by thunderstorms and heavy rain, the golfers awoke to the staff mopping up. There were, though, clear skies by then and the temperature was rising. Our pick up was on time so we ended up getting off earlier than anticipated.  The weather was good - it got very sticky as the moisture rose.  There was enough rain for bunkers to be flooded and the staff were bailing out with buckets!  The palm lined course was good, but had enough water to catch the wayward shot - and enough in one bunker for Pete to lose a ball!

We were early enough off to get round at an acceptable pace and back to the hotel to meet up with Barbara after a refreshing shandy.

We had lunch and then spent the afternoon reading by the pool enjoying the warmth.

After a shower, we adjourned to the hotel lobby to fight with the Internet connection and, eventually, to check emails and the like.  Then a game of cards in the bar before supper - they do a buffet style with varied choice so even the fussiest should survive!

Off to Africa

Well here we are waiting for a flight again; this time to Marrakech. Smooth trip to the airport with the only minor glitch being Easyjet's new automated check-in machines! Now having to wait as the incoming flight was late arriving (ho hum).

Eventually leave at 4.30 and are, as a result, not into Marrakech on time.  However, get through immigration queues quite quickly and the luggage was delivered promptly so we were off to the hotel just after 8. It was 20 odd when we arrived so promises to be very pleasant tomorrowThe driver seemed to take a bit of a scenic route, but we got there and checked in with no problems.  The room is good (see picture) and we scurried off to get something to eat before the restaurant closed.

Golf first thing in the morning; will report further tomorrow.

Arrivederci Roma

Last day today.  First thing was spent packing and deciding what we might do on our last outing.  We were back to the Metro and bus routing - this time reasonably successful in finding the right bus and stop.  Our first destination was one of the sets of ancient catacombs which were outside the Roman city.  The one we visited was the biggest, named after St Callixtus, with 5 levels and over 500,000 burials there.  The tour took us through the narrow passageways where Christian burials took place in secret prior to the acceptance of Christianity in Rome.  We saw a chamber where 3rd century popes were buried, 'family' plots and cubicles where larger family groups could be laid to rest.

The whole system is carved out of the volcanic rock and goes well below the surface. We went to the second level which was some 52 steps below ground level.  The passageways are very narrow and, even with electric lights, quite claustrophobic - what it was like with only small oil lamps for light is difficult to imagine.

After this, it was bus and metro back into the city and a walk to a restaurant a little off the main tourist trail for lunch.  We went there as the write ups indicated that it was the sort of place that the Roman businessmen popped into for their pasta lunch.  The write up was correct - we were in a room with said businessmen and some ladies meeting up for lunch.  As it was our last meal in Rome, we opted for pasta followed by meat.  We overbid and both of us were struggling to deal with the meat course.  The pasta was great, as the plaudits written in the wall by previous customers attest.

No option then but to try to walk off some of the calories consumed.  We set out on a fairly circuitous route back to our hotel passing by the Victor Emmanuel exhibition centre, the four fountains crossroads and more churches that one could hope to record let alone visit.

Reunited with our luggage, a walk to the station and a train ride to the airport.

We have certainly given the shoe leather a battering over the last 4 days.  The weather was very kind - sunny and warm for the most and only clouding over and cooling a bit this afternoon.  All in all an excellent break.

A Few More Churches

.....and a lot more walking.  We were slightly late setting off this morning and decided to risk the queues so as to visit St Peters in the Vatican.  We went to the metro to get there, which was somewhat crowded and led to a close encounter with a pick-pocket, who got a little too close to Pete for comfort.

It was a bit of a wasted trip as the Pope was giving audiences this morning, so whilst the square was full and thousands were milling about, the basilica was not going to open until about 1 o'clock, which was no good to us at that point.  We aborted and decided to make our way up one of the seven hills.  The choice if transport was a bus, but finding the stop proved a challenge.  One drink stop later we did get a bus to the top of the hill, so we could see the Garibaldi monument and look out over the City from the viewpoint.

We bussed back down and then walked through the backstreets to visit a Gelateria recommended by Clare and Rachel.  A further sampling followed.

We then thought we would make our way to the church of St Clement.  Off we went, found a bus, found the church - it was closed for lunch/siesta!  So we aimed up another hill, called in to have a look at a monastery, and then went further up and visited the cathedral of St John, which was huge and highly decorated.

Thereafter it was back down the hill for a drink stop which filled the time before we could visit St Clement's, which is another of these sites where the structure has been built over time after time.  There was a 2nd century church on the site (some of which is still visible below ground level) which has been built on/over as it was extended or refurbished over time. The present interior has a beautiful ceiling and frescos.

From there we walked up to one of the peaks of the Episcopine Hill and saw some of the remains of the huge bath house complex that was there.

We then wove our way through the side streets coming across the basilica of Maria Maggiore.  We arrive at a time when there were four masses being conducted in different side chapels - varying languages and approach it seems.

From there, a walk back to the hotel and a chance to get the shoes off and feet up.