Day 7 of my Moroccan adventure began with breakfast at the hotel. Those scrumptious Moroccan pancakes were happily my meal choice to start the day! They were accompanied by the delectable local dates and some crusty French bread! My beverage selection was grapefruit juice.

Our first stop of the day was at the film studio in Ouazazarte. This “Hollywood” of Morocco is responsible for many box office hit films, including Lawrence Of Arabia!

We were off to our day long scenic journey to Marrakech!

Our tour bus passed through picturesque villages surrounded by precipitous mountains.

When the noon hour had arrived, we made a stop at Palais De Tichka at the Tichka Pass. For me, lunch was a sandwich made with black and green olives, tomatoes, and onions in a Moroccan round bread. It was a tasty, light lunch.

After our meal, we drove to the 7,414 foot high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the core of the High Atlas Mountains. The view was stunning!

With each twist and turn of the road, different landscapes beckoned us. The terrain eventually transformed into a gorgeous red ochre shade, among the greenery!

We finally arrived at our Marrakech destination in late afternoon! This red ochre-colored imperial city is known as the most captivating of all Moroccan cities!

After a brief time to rest, our tour group made way to our evening reservation at the “Arabian Nights” dinner and entertainment show.

We watched an incredibly diverse and talented group of performers. Dances from the various regions of the country were performed. One of the most interesting were the Sahara Desert singers and dancers.

Dinner was now served. My appetizer was a mouth-watering vegetable bastilla. This light pastry filled with veggies was all vegan!

The main course was a vegetable tagine. The veggies were cooked to perfection and it was a satisfying evening meal indeed.

For dessert, I was given an orange sorbet with sliced oranges. It was luscious.

Now more performers graced the stage. I looked upon jugglers and acrobats with awe at their amazing skills!

As we headed back to our hotel, I was eager with anticipation for our next adventure in this fascinating city!

On day#8 of my Moroccan holiday, I started off with a breakfast of mini breads, jams, salad, and oranges. Of course, my beverage of choice was the amazing local orange juice!

The morning’s tour brought us to the ancient quarters of the city where we walked through for a while. The first stop was the city mosque.

We strolled at a leisurely pace within the Bahia Palace, while admiring its architecture, design, and impressive rooms. It was built in the 19th century for the sultan and his concubines. The palace was designed to be of the utmost grandeur with it’s vast courtyard, basin, and gardens.

The next stop was at the Saadian Tombs of the Saadi Dynasty. They date back to the 16th century and are a popular tourist attraction due to their ornate decorations.

Heading into the commercial district of Marrakech, we had an appointment at a local chemist or pharmacy. The staff there explained to us how certain herbs and oils are very medicinal for various woes such as insomnia, allergies, and so forth. The popular argan oil (“Moroccan oil”) is sold here. It is known to provide hydration and healing to dry hair, skin, or nails. This is a ‘must have’ souvenir purchase.

Next on the agenda was the ever-popular Jemaa-el-Fna Square. This market area was comprised of restaurants, food stalls, entertainment spots, and many souks.

Wooden pushcarts in the square sold the flavorful local oranges.

Many of the regions dried fruits such as dates and figs could be purchased here.

Souks sold everything from ceramic tagines to figurines to jewelry.

I was aware of a vegan-friendly restaurant within the square. I found the correct alleyway and made my way there in no time! It is not too far from the center of the square.

Earth Cafe (Earth Cafe) has an eclectic menu for vegetarians and vegans alike.

For my lunch, I selected the rice and lentil dish with string beans, squash, raisins, and zucchini. It was quite savory! My beverage was the refreshing beet root and ginger juice.

One of the popular ice cream shops in the region had a small stand within the square. I stopped at this Ice Legend for a mango sorbet in a cone. It was delish!

As is popular throughout Morocco, I stumbled upon a waterseller with his shiny gold bells and wide-brimmed colorful hat.

Musicians lined the streets.

Our tour guide had mentionned earlier in the week that we must try a Moroccan donut known as Sfenj. I found a vendor deep within the alleyways of the square. My sfenj was absolutely yummy!

After spending some time within the souks, it was time for dinner. I had read online that there was one food stall within the Fna Square which was safe for vegans, as they do not use animal-based broth or stock. It is food stall #1 “Restaurant Aisha”(Restaurant Aisha).

The waiter first brought some of those wonderful, small round breads with spicy harissa sauce. This was a great start to my evening meal!

My entree was the vegetable tagine. Although this is a food stall, the quality and taste of the tagine was superb!

Evening had arrived and the El Fna Square was getting more and more lively! Food stalls were opening up one after another. Performers were setting up and entertaining the crowds with music and athletic skills.

After an exciting day in Marrakech, it was time to call it a night! The following day’s journey would bring us to Casablanca.