80. Next Desination: Marrakech

It's always hard to leave a place that you have enjoyed calling home for an extended time - and so it was that I boarded another Vueling Airline's flight - this time heading back to Barcelona for a change of aircraft, then onto Marrakech, Morocco. 

Flying high over the Mediterranean we cross the Strait of Gibraltar leaving Europe ( Spain ) to the North and entering African airspace ( Morocco ) 14kms to the South.

After clearing immigration and a bit of a problem with my suitcase deciding to take another flight ( recovered two days later thankfully !!! ), I was taxied to my "residence tourisque".   

... the gates into my oasis ...

My landlady Nadiya was there to greet me - and after instructions / directions / demonstrations and a lovely huge bowl of fruit, she left me in my apartment to ponder what the next four weeks in this exotic city would have in store for me .... 

This gated complex is quite huge, with four "avenues" of apartments ( some 3 storied, others like mine 2 storied ) opening off on either side ...

My home is directly in the centre of the image - with the bougainvillia growing between the windows ... Underneath on the ground floor are 3 cafes, 3 mini-markets, a tourist bureau and a pharmacy - so I am well serviced from morning coffee to evening dinner and beyond ...  

Opening off the avenues are arcades with several apartment entrances opening off on either side ... 

... then up a flight ...

... to a landing that I share with 2 other apartments and my front door ...

... inside the apartment the decor is very Moroccan ...

... with all the comforts of the 21st century ...

... I think I am going to enjoy calling this place 'home' ...

... from my 4 front windows I have a lovely sunny view of the manicured gardens and my very own Mosque - though not being a Muslim I am unfortunately not permitted inside the building ...

... early morning 'call to prayer' ensures that I am up and ready for the day's adventure by the time the sun reaches my bedroom window ...

I am not too sure when this residential complex was built - probably only 20 years ago - but it will prove to be, over the coming days, a wonderful quiet green haven for me after a day of exploring this mad chaotic dusty wonderful city ...

Next post I'll take you out through the front gates into the world that is Marrakech ...