T_24_0745 Here was our view of Mount Toubkal this morning from the deck of our hotel.

After breakfast, we set out on our walk down to Imlil, about one hour, to meet our bus.

It was not possible to drive this vehicle up to our lodgings below the mountain.

T_24_0748 Our destination, Imlil, which you see here, down in the valley.

T_24_0754 The walk was not difficult as it followed this road all the way.

T_24_0756 T_24_0760 This was a trail on the other side of the valley across from us.

T_24_0766 As we looked back, this shows where we had walked down from.

T_24_0769 The village of Imlil as we got closer.

T_24_0770

We arrived in Imlil after a leisurely descent. Here we got on our bus and set out for Marrakesh.

T_24_0775 A few hours later we were in the hustle and bustle of this large city. We were met by porters who took our luggage on two-wheeled carts through this medina and to our riad. Riads are former Medina homes built around an inner  courtyard and refurbished as boutique hotels.

That evening we walked to the main square of Marrakesh, Jemaa el-Fna.

We got a table at a roof-top terrace restaurant overlooking the square.

T_24_0781 As darkness approached, the square began to fill up with tourists and locals frequenting the food stalls and shops.

T_24_0785 T_24_0779 T_24_0783 Even amongst this spectacle, the faithful are called to prayer.

Thus ended our first day in Marrakesh.