blooming pomegranate trees and hidden courtyard gardens

Meanwhile I'm already two weeks back home, but I would like to share our green adventures from Marrakech. The 3rd edition of the Green Garden workshop was even better and greener than we could have imagined. Everyone was impressed by so much nature in the middle of the medina.

All gardens and parks in the medina were so fresh, green and full of bloom! Blooming trees, for example the pomegranate tree, of which we can taste the fruits in October...

During our first morning "GG" tour, we visited some private gardens from the riad in the neighborhood. We went to a palace garden and a ruin and mega courtyard garden, with beautifully green citrus trees.

After noon we continued our walk to the local flower market and bought a colorful bunch of marigolds for home. Time to lunch, so we continued our media walk to La Famille, a super green oasis garden restaurant in the medina. After lunch and some cake and herbarium-drawings, on to the next green surprise of the city, a perfectly maintained public park.

After all these green impressions on the first day we ended on the roof of restaurant Nomad for drinks with a view and finally we returned to our base camp, the green oasis Chambres d'Amis.


PS: the first photo I took somewhere en route between Essaouira and Marrakech, a pretty striking announcement of the Green Gardens workshop.

1st domburg beach day 2018

Sunday at the beach in Domburg. The Dutch North Sea beaches are great, I sometimes just forget about it... Since we live in Dordrecht, we always choose one of the beaches in Zeeland.

We were about the first ones on the beach, except for a few fishermen on the shoreline. Incidentally it was nice and quiet on our beach, totally against my expectations.

The beach is always a lovely place "to play outside" during all seasons and especially during the summer months. When we used to live in The Hague, we went to the beach so often.
In spring and summer, we met after work on our favorite beach between Kijkduin and Scheveningen. At the end of the day, when almost everyone goes home again, it's wonderful on the beach. We used to bring our own picnic basket or ordered something on the beach and stayed until sunset.

Sunday we also stayed on the beach until sunset and we were about the last ones to leave the beach, to take full advantage of these summer days in May!

Ps: The bikini I made the day before, the bikini top is a variation on my crocheted bikini top pattern and the bottom is completely freestyle...

hello from mogador

Mogador, Medina at the ocean.

A photo report of our visit to Essaouira, where we arrived at the end of the afternoon. It was nice and quiet in the city, so I really could experience the authentic atmosphere. And no wind, which is very unusual.

We visited Galerie Elizir, a former restaurant, now transformed into a four floor vintage gallery. We strolled through the charming narrow streets in the medina and enjoyed the sunset overlooking the Atlantic at Salut Maroc.

A year ago we were allowed to take a look inside the heritage building, when the work was in full swing and I promised the craftsman not to share any pictures. Needless to say we were so curious about the result. Well, I can tell you this funky boutique hotel is a color explosion; united colors, patterns and texture! The interior is a fusion of Islamic patterns, vibrant colours and an eclectic mix of contemporary & antique. Inspiration overdose...

After a nice conversation with the chef, he insisted on having his portrait photographed by me. Ank and I shared the most delicious lemon pie that I have tasted in ages and when the sun has sunk into the ocean, we went to our favorite restaurant Mega Loft, to end this glorious day in style.

countryside by the ocean

Photoreport of the 'mini break' on the countryside by the ocean. Ank, Flip and I enjoyed our relaxing days in the guestroom of Riad Baoussala (which means compass) between the cool crochet workshop and the green gardens workshop.

Baoussala has the unique intimacy of a home, combined with the service of a small hotel. It's a place unlike others where the sweetness of Moroccan life can be savoured to the full. The garden is super green with lots of eucalyptus trees and the swimming pool and hammock on the Majorelle blue wall a place to completely unwind.

Morocco is famous for its sincere hospitality, and riad Baoussala is a living example of this same tradition. Owner Dominique and manager Léah, are running the place and treat their team as a family. Loubna, the cook, is always ready to tickle your taste buds, and to share a tajine recipe. Rachid, the waiter, is more than ready to cater to your every need. The beautiful sisters Khadija and Fatima make sure everything is spick & span. And gardener Simo has a smile for everyone and keeps the garden in perfect shape.

We rested on the beach between the cows and had a blissful afternoon with lunch on the beach at La Mouette et les Dromadaires, near Sidi Kaouki.

As a keepsake, I picked two 'friendship bunches' of sea lavender for Ank & me at the ocean. I used to call them statice flowers, but I prefer the name sea lavender, because they grow on the beach and have that typical purple lavender color. You can easily dry the flowers, so I brought one of the bunches home.

At the end of the day we drove with the typical turquoise blue taxi to the medina of Essaouri, more on that next time...