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Showing posts from May, 2009

Zamzam Nomads - Riad Marrakech

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I recently got a lovely email from a lovely guest who just stayed with us, saying what a nice time she had had at Zamzam and sending me a few photos of her trip. One of the photos was this, our very nice new Assistant Manager - Said. I think it is a fantastic picture but hilariously funny once you realise that his nomad head wrap is infact one of the hotel's hammam towels! The things we have to do at Zamzam to keep the guests happy!! When I showed Said the photo he roared with laughter. What were you doing I said. He said they asked me to dress for the photo. Once a Berber ..........................

L'Amandier Project - Ourgaine Villas

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A while ago, December actually I got a phone call from a couple of ladies, Jen and her sister Mikaela who wanted to talk to me about Villa Interiors. They came to the riad and we all had a long chat and got on very well, I showed them around the riad and they seemed to like it. It turned out that their wonderful project was 16 villas in the Atlas Mountains. The small villa development in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, just an hour’s drive from Marrakech, L’Amandier will be a luxury development of privately owned villas, a large swimming pool, a tennis court, plunge pools, and gardens peppered with Bougainvillea, almond and citrus trees. It sits on a plateau surrounded by the magnificent snow-capped Atlas Mountains, a short distance from Sir Richard Branson’s luxury retreat, Kasbah Tamadot, and other established spas, hotels and restaurants. This is somewhere one can’t help but relax, unwind and enjoy the clean air, unspoilt panoramic views, tranquillity and space. With 300 da

On the beach Moroccan style

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We just managed to get away for a 2 night break to Essaouira. It was absolutley fab, the weather was perfect, with a slight breeze and no wind. The beaches are clean and good sun beds provided. I've posted a couple of photos of Moroccan ladies on the beach, it's quite a contrast when you are there with your bikini. Lots of surf duds and kite surfing. We headed to Sidi Kaulki for the day about 23 k south of Essaouira, it is a true surf beach and totally unspoilt at the moment. There are a few quaint little cafes, which will bbq you fresh fish for lunch. Lo

Beni Ouarain and Azilal - Berber Carpets Morocco

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I've been so busy with the riad, it has been a while since I went on a carpet hunt. Today a lady came to the riad to pick up her carpet and asked if I would go into the souks with her and show her more carpets. The perfect excuse to have a look around too. I found this stunning Azila with beautiful kilim ends. I also found this Azilal which I am very proud of. Both carpets have wonderful soft wool. Click on the Zamzam Boutiques and have a look at the other carpets I got today. Some really stunning Beni Ouarain as well.

Palm regeneration - Eco Tourism Marrakech

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45 minutes outside Marrakech is the Agafay Desert. In this desert is a wonderful eco-hotel called La Pause . It consists of many tents, and villas, a natural water pool, camels, horses, golf and many other things for familys to do. We usually recommend this place as a day out for visitors staying at Zamzam. We often go on a Sunday to spend the day and have a wonderful lunch there in the tent. The food is very good. We were invited by a dear friend for her birthday and one of the activities was for everyone to plant a date palm. It was a fantastic idea and the children especially loved it. My little one planting her little one. Oh the joy of nature.

Zamzam Garden - Marrakech

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I walked through the garden cutting roses, coriander, pulling beetroot and had a moment. I thought, I've been waiting my whole life to provide like minded people with energetic, tasty natural food and flowers that smell and look like flowers. We have forgotten what real things look like. I felt absolute satisfaction in that moment and have even started to get the Moroccan team who work with us excited. Wow that's from the garden they say. The girls in the kitchen at Zamzam seem really proud using the garden grown vegetables and they taste amazing. Garden to plate, seasonal, no refrigeration units, no storage, no chemicals no long hall flight. We have planted the tomato plants with the roses (organic gardening) its meant to help pest control and I noticed loads of pretty lady birds today munching through the green fly. Maybe my Eco system is really starting to work. I have an awful lot of ants though and they are starting to eat my artichokes and roses. Any one any ideas??

Education for All - Morocco - Zamzam sponsored NGO

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After we had visited the boarding house in Asni we went to lunch at the nearby Kasbah Toubkal. Mike the owner who is heavily involved in the charity and the fundraising donated the lunch so that all money from the sale of the tickets went to the charity. His travel company in the UK also organise yearly sponsored bike rides in these gorgeous mountains, this happens every March. http://www.rediscover.co.uk/morocco.html The girls from the boarding house were invited to the lunch as was Linda Anderson, she had just donated 4 months of her time in the boarding house in the winter with the girls. Part of the lunch at Toubkal was a thank you to her for her hard work and say good bye. If you go to the Education for All webpage you can see Linda's blog and the story of the boarding house it is great reading http://www.efamorocco.org/ A photo taken by my 5 year old after a fantastic lunch. We are planning to do a fundraising dinner for Education For All at Zamzam soon. So I will post deta

Education for All - Morocco - Zamzam sponsored NGO

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We received the following invitation a few weeks ago to support one of the charities that we support at Zamzam . We were very excited to see the good work that was being done and to visit the boarding house for poor girls that had been built and was being run, it is called Dar Asni : Dar Asni Open Day Join us to celebrate the girls’ successes, and our first anniversary! “World change starts with educated children.” Sunday 26 th April, 2009 11.00hrs - Girls’ Boarding House, Asni 13.00hrs – Kasbah du Toubkal , Imlil Come for coffee, meet the girls and visit Dar Asni Afterwards an invitation to a charity Mechouie lunch at Kasbah du Toubkal All proceeds go to “Education for All Morocco”. www.justgiving.com/opendayspring09 (Or contact Mike McHugo , e-mail: mike@discover.ltd.uk ) Any one interested in getting involved or donating directly to this great cause should go to the link below, http://www.efamorocco.org/ The girls are chosen through a selection process of Education For All