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Magical, Mystical Marrakech
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Thursday, November 22, 2012
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Silversea's shore excursion department has a very good record of putting together excellent shore tours. Whenever visiting an exotic location like Casablanca, Morocco, it really helps to have people who know what they are doing when planning an excursion. We booked the MAGICAL, MYSTICAL MARRAKECH tour which begins with a 3 ½ hour coach ride from our port of Casablanca to the city of Marrakech.
There were only 21 Silver Spirit guests onboard the motor coach along with Clive, Silver Spirit's Shore Excursion Manager, and Majid (pronounced 'mah-jeed'), our local Moroccan tour guide. The coach was modern, spotlessly clean and comfortable. Silversea always sends along a representative from the ship on these coach tours and it does give everyone an added sense of security.
The traffic is Casablanca is crazy
Majid, our tour guide
This particular excursion was noteworthy as it was the first one where Silversea was testing the QuietVox communication system. Each guest is given a small receiver that hangs around the neck with an earpiece. The receivers are all synced to the transmitter which is used by the tour guide to communicate with the guests when on a tour. We have used these systems on river cruises and have found them to be an excellent alternative to having tour guides trying to yell so that a group of guests can hear. We hope Silversea makes these devices a permanent part of their tour programs.
QuietVox communication receiver
A 15-minute "comfort stop" on the highway to Marrakech
Once we arrived in Marrakech, the coach makes a quick (5 minute) photo stop so we can take pictures of the Mosque. We board the coach again for a short ride to "old town" Marrakech. The only way to describe "old town" is chaotic. Exotic sounds, bustling crowds, insane traffic and unusual smells (some not so good) surround us as we make our way to the old palace. After a few moments of dodging motor scooters weaving in and out of the crowds, we arrived at the old palace. Majid led our group on a 45-minute tour of the palace grounds, pointing out areas of interest.
A doorway leading to a patio in the old palace
Rickee stops for a photo at the old palace
After visiting the palace, it's time for lunch. We board the coach for a short ride to L Diaffa restaurant. We are all seated at round tables set for 7 guests for an authentic Moroccan meal. The only word to describe the meal is "amazing." Without question, this is the best meal we have ever had on a tour. Majid claimed it was the "best restaurant in Morocco." It sure could be. The meal started with a huge platter of salads and appetizers which were shared among everyone at the table. Next, the first main course. A huge platter of Tagine Lamb, easily enough for 10 people was presented. The perfectly braised lamb shanks were easily the best lamb I have ever eaten, a sentiment shared by everyone in the group. It is a shame Rickee does not eat lamb, she really missed out on a treat!
Everyone at our table was stuffed after the lamb course, and then to our shock and amazement, came another main course! An equally huge platter of roasted game hens! Again, the meat was perfectly cooked, well seasoned and delicious. Surely, the meal is over now? Nope, the largest bowl of fresh fruit you have ever seen replaced the platter of hens. Again, the fruit was all excellent! In the words of the late, great Billy Mays, "but wait, there's more!" Another platter of super-sweet desserts and pastries replaced the fruit platter! I have never seen so much food, and all of it excellent.
L Diaffa restaurant
Rose petals decorate the tables at L Diaffa
The appetizer and salad platter
After the substantial lunch, everyone was ready for nap. But no, there's more of Marrakech to see. Back onboard the coach, we make another short ride to the Souk (market). As we walk toward the Souk, the large plaza is littered with snake charmers and monkey handlers looking for tourists wanting to have their photos taken with their animals. Majid educated us on the way to deal with these folks by paying no more than $1 per person. So, if you want to take a photo of the snake, you pay $2 per couple, same for the monkey guy. Rickee was a little shocked when one of the snake charmers wrapped a snake around her neck! She freaked out. She HATES snakes and is scared to death of them. I think she just froze in disbelief.
Rickee gets charmed by a snake charmer
John shoots a photo of one of the money handlers
Once we arrived at the Souk, Majid led us through the maze of vendors and shops to a shop where he knew the owners. This was a pretty high-end shop with expensive antiques, rugs and jewelry. Rickee found a shawl that she fell in love with. She quickly fell out of love with it when the salesman quoted her a price of $1,500!
The Souk (marketplace) in Marrakech
Rickee tries on a $1,500 shawl
Majid gave everyone about an hour of "free" time to wander the Souk and shop. After we haggled with a merchant for $10 in refrigerator magnets, Clive showed up and led us to a shop with some really nice antiques and jewelry. Rickee fell in love with a silver Berber pendant and coral bracelet. Now my negotiating skills kicked into high gear. I was able to get the $120 pendant and $90 bracelet "bundled" for a total of $150. It took a fair amount of haggling, but that is part of the fun. Not a "great" deal, but a deal nonetheless.
After shopping, our final stop was at Jardin Majorelle, a local garden. The garden was covered in colorful Bougainvillea of red, pink, purple, orange and blue. The stop at the garden was a nice, peaceful way to end an otherwise hectic day. After the garden visit, we boarded the coach for the 3 ½ ride back to Casablanca.
I stop taking pictures and pose for one at the gardens
Rickee enjoys her time at the garden
We arrived back at Silver Spirit by 8:25pm, in time for the ship's deck BBQ. Silversea really hit it out of the park with this excursion. At $269 per person, the tour is actually quite a bargain. We would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone sailing with Silversea to Casablanca.
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| One Comment | | | WAYNE RICHARDSON | | | What an unusual place. Is that snake real? You don't look terrified to me. Just another adventure. Beautiful place | | | Monday, April 30, 2012 7:22 AM | |
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