going green

Going green.

Soon I will be leaving for Marrakech, to start with the 9th colorful Cool Crochet 'crocholiday'.
Thereafter to interact with nature and the green side of the city with the 3rd Green Gardens workshop.
Also this new workshop season former 'cool crocheteers' are returning, but this time to discover the green treasures of the Red city.

All preparations are in full swing and I could not help myself, to blend a little green into a crochet project (by means of a palmtree pattern in typical Marrakshi colors) and vice versa I made a linen herbarium bag with crochet palm for all GG participants.

Naturally, hotel Chambres d’Amis is our 'base camp' during both workshops. The small hotel is located just a stone’s throw away from the beating heart of old Marrakesh, the Djemaa el-Fna square and the souks. Despite this, it’s as quiet as if you were in the countryside; greenery and birds all over the place. A marvelous green oasis to return to, after a day full of adventures. Right in the middle of the Medina and at the same time far away from it all...

Straw hat - from Place des Epices
Handmade linen palmtree herbarium bag - made by me
Green Tamegroute pottery - from the Medina in Marrakech
Butter knife - gift from Dietske (one of last years 'green gardenista')

palais bahia

On the last day of our family & friends trip to Marrakech, we visited Palais Bahia.

Bahia Palace is a palace with lush walled gardens and pavilions, located in the medina of Marrakesh.

It was built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time.
The name means "brilliance" and was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style.
Painted wooden doors and ceilings and beautiful tiles everywhere.
One of the best elements of the Bahia Palace is the large courtyard, tiled with white marble and zellige tiles.

The oldest part of the palace (Dar Si Moussa) is my favorite, with a courtyard and a central garden with several fountains and cypress, orange, jasmine and banana trees. You should smell the orange blossom...

a day in the desert

The second day we went on a roadtrip to the Agafay desert.

We had an amazing day; with a fabulous moroccan lunch in the berber tent, served with Gris and Casablanca, the guys climbed the highest hill, we had a swim in the freezing pool, enjoyed the wonderful views and at the end of the day we watched the sunset on top of the hill.

In the evening we drove back to the hectic city life of magical Marrakech, there is no bigger contrast...

in the medina

A photo report of our first day in the medina. No words needed...