The Good Life in Morocco

arpet After our last Reiki and Yoga Retreat, two retreaters asked if I would take them carpet shopping. They bought this stunning subtle vintage Beni Ouarain Carpet. Doesn't it look superb with their gorgeous London flat?? If you would like one too, click on the Zamzam Boutique link in the right hand column of this blog otherwise email me at boutiquezamzam@gmail.com for more stunning hand made pieces. ..

I have these beautiful vintage wedding blankets just in! Not only are they stunning pieces they are immaculate condition. This one is to die for, very pretty indeed. Click on the Zamzam Boutique link to see sizes and photos also my stock of Beni Ouarain and Azilal carpets. Email me at zamzamriad@gmail.com for prices.

There are some fabulous weddings happening in Marrakech and I am pleased to let you know that with Sonia's help we will be able to organise a fabulous wedding for you at Zamzam . Being an events producer in a past life I will also be helping Sonia on the ground in Marrakech by showing clients round and helping negotiate their budgets for the big day. Sonia Day owns an online company called Marrakech Weddings http://www.marrakechweddings.co.uk/ +44 (0)7974 249 356 she is very successful and has organised a great deal of fabulous weddings in Marrakech for all styles and budgets. She visited Marrakech a few years ago, promptly fell in love with the place and came back a few months later to buy a riad in the medina to renovate with her now husband. She worked as an updater for the Hedonists Guide to Marrakech , so was shown all of the lovely riads and got to know many of the owners. She also returns to Marrakech regularly to look after the riad and to catch up with o

Superb Reiki Master - Rebecca Hutley joined us for the Journey of Awakening at Zamzam.  Not only did she give superb Reiki treatments but part of the Retreat was to learn, practice and achieve our Reiki 1 practitioners, which was very exciting.  The last time I got a certificate was for swimming 20 lengths with David Wilkie! The Reiki practice on our gorgeous Beni Ouarain carpets woven by Berber shamans was a spiritual experience in it'self. The loved up group at the end. Our certificates on the last day.  I was practicing with Nova from Taiwan after she had given me Reiki I said, I had a strange picture of a vortex in my mind, she said oh thats what I was visualising!

On the 3rd day we set off early to avoid the Marrakech Marathon. We were in the heart of the Atlas Mountains by 9.15am. The mountains were stunning with their snowy peaks but the air was surprisingly warm. We started off with a morning meditation together which was wonderful as the room had underfloor heating which helped the meditation nicely. We all felt the energy of being in these ancient mountains. We set off on a two hour walk around Berber Villages and waterfalls. It was exhilarating and otherworldly . Once back to the Kasbah we were offered Rose water to wash our hands and fresh dates. We walked up the stairs to the wonderful terrace with a spectacular view of the Atlas, where we had a delicious lunch of salads with fig and lamb tagine . The lunch was served with fresh spring water from the Atlas! During the walk which was huge fun, two crazy retreaters stripped off and jumped in the ice cold water! Journey of Awakening it definitely was.

After an hours yoga in the morning we were rearing to go.  It was a glorious day and we all felt fantastic.  We drove to the Marrakech Desert 45 mins from Marrakech, jumped on horse and shot off over the hills.  The other horses and foals came with us and jumped in and out of us as we galloped down the dry river bed inbetween the arid hills.  The views were stunning! We had a delicious lunch at La Pause, the eco-retreat as we were all starving after our busy morning.

Well we did it, our first Journey of Awakening Retreat in Marrakech! We had a blast it was a massive success and better than I had ever imagined. I had not envisaged how close we would all become practicing together for 4 days. No one wanted to go and it was sad to say good bye to retreaters who had become not only pioneers of the first retreat at Zamzam but great friends. In the evenings we did yoga on the roof terrace which was really energising. Towards the third day everyone had really limbered up and were becoming fantastic yogis with the help of Aisha a fantastic Ashtanga teacher! Aisha is an expert in Ashtanga and skillfully moved us all through the practice and breathing finishing with Meditation. pretty impressive don't you think considering how we struggled to get going on the first day.