The City of Gold

There's no doubt that Marrakesh puts on a good show, and although it feels a little doctored up at times for the sake of the many tourists, hidden away in the laneways and souqs were the now familiar wheelings and dealings of everyday Moroccan life. From appearances (and from it's nickname), it is richest city in Morocco but that definitely didn't stop the locals trying to devise ways to separate the foreigners from their money - in fact the sheer competition to do so could make the day an exhausting experience for us poor old travellers.

But there were some fantastic experiences too - high among them was eating some great local food in Djemaa el Fna (the main square) at restaurants that are packed up into trailers and towed off at the end of every night. One of the most memorable sights came each evening when a giant orange sun, sinking amongst palm trees and minarets, bathed the city in a stunning golden light... (sorry if I'm being too poetic)

Marrakesh had a clean and well-ordered feel compared to the other places we'd visited in Morocco

A slow day for potion sellers in the main square

Mel eating in one of the many makeshift restaurants in Djemaa el Fna - the 'kitchen' is just behind her

It was the City of Orange for us - dozens of juice sellers pumped out the freshly squeezed stuff for less than 30c a glass

The crowds swell as night falls over the square - there is intense spruiking to get patrons, but within a few hours the food will be out and the restaurant packed up and moved on.

We took a great break with a daytrip out towards the Atlas mountains

Some villagers carry the shopping home along a rocky river bank

This girl climbed the steep slope from the river to the road to sell us some berries

A boy waits after school for his Dad's motorbike to appear - it did, eventually!

It's actually a fair drop over the edge there - no wonder our guide kept telling us to step back a bit further

Our lingering memory of Marrakesh would have to be the amazing sunsets