THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS IN MOROCCO

Driving from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate in the south of Morocco we had to cross the Atlas Mountains. No other route is leading there. It is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about 2,400 km (1,500 miles) through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Jbel Toubkal, with an elevation of 4,167 metres (13,671 ft) in southwestern Morocco.

The landscapes we saw were absolutely breathtaking. All photos you see here I shot through the bus window. Apparently they were clean. There is not a lot to say about the pictures, they are self explaining.



























Each time there was a little green spot, there also was a village













The road (in excellent shape) was leading over the mountains like a snake























Only since 5 years or a little more, people got electricity here in the mountains




with the result that they also can watch TV now, see the parabol antennas on the old mud houses ?

Not at all to compare with  beautiful Zermatt chalets !





This mixture of a view out of the bible and modern equipment was quite bizarre. Without the cables and antennas the villages looked proabably the same like 2000 years ago !

MAJORELLE GARDEN IN MARRAKESH

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When we were in Marrakech (Morocco), we also visited the he Majorelle Garden it is a botanical garden. It was designed by the expatriate French artist (painter) Jacques Majorelle in 1924, when Morocco was a protectorate of France. The garden he created is a creative masterpiece. The special shade of bold cobalt blue which he used extensively in the garden and its buildings is named after him, bleu Majorelle.

The garden has been open to the public since 1947. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. After Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008 his ashes were scattered in the Majorelle Garden.

The colors were really amazing but so strong that most of my pictures were not good, because I forgot to set the light.

It started already at the entrance of the garden with this simple but very colorful pots.

the museum was painted in this special blue

I thought how easy it would be to paint a simple flower pot and it gives such an amazing result.

For cactus fans it was the paradise here !

The memorial of Yves St. Laurent

strange cactus

This cactus is called Mother in Law cushion !

Even here people leave their marks carved in bamboo

In the brochure I received is written : " The Majorelle Garden is one the the 20th century's most mysterious gardens. It is a place of rare individual expression and mystical force. The garden is an overpowering abundance of vegetal shapes and forms representing five continents and reflects Jacques Majorelle's significance as one of the most important plant collectors of his time.

Since acquiring and restoring the property, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé have established a trust to ensure Majorelle Garden's future existence.

Yves St. Laurent took most of his inspirations for his creations here in this garden where he lived in Majorelle's house.

SUNSET IN THE SAHARA - MOROCCO

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One of the most beautiful excursions we did was driving in a Jeep to the Sahara, then riding on a camel into the dunes to watch the sunset.

We travelled with this Jeep on the same road like the Paris-Dakar ralley. Seeing all this beauty I found it rather a shame that cars are racing through this peaceful desert spoil it. But it brings money and that is as always important. Especially in poor countries.

Our driver

Here is my friend Ilona who had picked up a little goat which came to great us.

We stopped at a Berber's place, in the middle of the desert. They are nomades and live in tends or mud houses which they leave to move further and then the next family moves in.

one of the houses, the children came out but not the woman

In another tent we were invited for a mint tea. Very friendly people. The men are all dressed in blue.

the stable

A look over the Sahara

the camels are waiting for tourists

and we climbed on ! They kneel down but when they get up you have to grip yourself at the handle of the seat because otherwise you would fall down on the other side. It goes quite quick !

My camel and my guide. It felt like in a shaking boat !

Views over the Sahara

and finally the sunset. It was like in a dream. We all kept very still and you could hear the silence of the desert.