We left Casablanca on an early morning train. We went in search of the desert and never quite reached it. As we rode in from the coast the landscape changed dramatically, but not completely. I was in search of desert, but I didn't find it on this trip.

We arrived at the train station at 11 AM and after a leisurely lunch walked to our hotel. Our hotel was also a spa with a swimming pool in the back and masseuse at the ready.

The owner, Alex, was a wonderful woman who spoke many languages and provided us with great tips and suggestions for enjoying the afternoon in Marrakech.

The first thing she told us is always Barter!!!!! Which we promptly forgot.

We went out and took a cab to the market and ended up walking through the Jewish quarter first. We explored the two palaces that in Marrakech.

The Bahia Palace is located in the medina of Marrakech along the northern edge of the district Mellah or Jewish quarter. Although the exact dates of the construction of the palace are unknown, the building was in use between 1859 and 1873 and was completed by 1900. (From http://www.palais-bahia.com/en/) The Bahia Palace has doors, tile floors, ornate ceilings, stain glass windows and many fireplaces still remaining. It has a large garden and it is wonderful to wander through.

The second Palace is the Badia Palace which was completed in 1594. And built for a great Sultan. The walls are crumbling, there is no roof, but you can see the remains of 10 swimming pools, some of which have Orange groves in them now.