Guest Article – Morroco, Marrakesh and Essaouira

By Janet Unwin

Andalucian Adventures – Morocco

Introduction

Having sampled a weekend in the Cotswolds on a digital photography course with Andalucian Adventures I felt inspired to go further afield; to a place where the sun shone and the culture quite different from ours, but also to go with the security of a company who had so inspired me one cold weekend in April.

To see Paul’s friendly face in Marrakesh’s huge bustling airport was most reassuring! A great start to a great week. We were a convivial group, some single, some with their partners, but all of us with the common interest in photography.

Our first night was spent in a carefully chosen luxury, but authentic hotel where we were fully briefed on the delights of the week ahead of us.

Early the next morning Paul’s tireless enthusiasm lead us to the heart of Marrakesh, to Djama El Fine, the famour square, where early in the morning traders stands stood gorged with piles of apricots, figs, dates and citrus fruit and stalls selling glasses of peppermint tea. This provided a wonderful opening act to the scenes that followed in the souk.

Our guide led us through mile upon mile of carefully coordinated stalls, vivid colours, textiles, sights and smells and shafts of sunlight beaming through holes in the corrugated iron roofs creating a stage like effect, all of which we were happily capturing on our cameras. Advice was always on hand to help us take the best possible shots.

The following morning was spent at Bou Saf-Saf Garden, designed by the French Islamic artist Louis Majorelle and latterly owned by the late Yves Saint Laurant. Verhandahs, ponds, fountains and pots were painted in a vivid Morrocan Blue. Fabulous plants spilling over walls and tubs, and water flowing through channels and pools. This was a wonderful opportunity for pictures with symmetry and reflection. Only a day into our course and I was now starting to feel confident and happy with my camera!

From Marrakesh we were driven to the coastal fishing town of Essaouira. Putting photography aside this gave a fascinating view of country life. We drove through huge olive groves, beautifully tended countryside with farmers astride their donkeys. Fertile land and then rough land as we neared the coast, with an abundance of yellow flowering Wattle lining the roadside.

In the old Portuguese sea port of Essaouira we stayed in an Arab house built into the sea wall on the edge of the Medina. Exquisite mosaic tiles adorned the walls along with archways and fountains. This was our base for the remainder of the week.

We had an early morning rise to capture the sun rising over the harbour and also to photograph the activity as fishermen prepared their boats for a day at sea. I found this particular morning very special. Paul and Linda inspired us to look further at a subject and capture the colour and reflection it created.

Summary

The venue for this photographic holiday had been well researched by Andalucian Adventures with the most stunning opportunities for creative and candid shots. I would thorough recommend it for both the amateur and experienced photographer.

Janet Unwin is an amateur photographer. She works on a large estate in the West Country helping to run a small tourist attraction which consists of ancient woodland, waterfalls and lakes. Much of her spare time is spent capturing the seasons on her camera. She also enjoys photographing the wildlife and flowers seen in springtime.