Bab el-Khemis Gate, Meknes in Morocco

Bab el-Khemis Gate in Meknes, Morocco

One of the features of our visit to Meknes in Morocco was to see this magnificent structure, the Bab el-Khemis Gate. The ancient wall stretched from it in both directions and the nearby gardens were immaculate. We were able to stop and alight from our tour bus to take photos of the wall, the gate and the gardens along the thoroughfare running through the gate.

Bab el-Khemis Gate in Meknes, Morocco

Bab el-Khemis Gate in Meknes, Morocco

Bab el-Khemis Gate in Meknes, Morocco

Bab el-Khemis Gate in Meknes, Morocco

Scenes of Meknes in Morocco

Overlooking Meknes, northern Morocco

Overlooking Meknes, northern Morocco

Overlooking Meknes, northern Morocco

Overlooking Meknes, northern Morocco

Overlooking Meknes, northern Morocco

 

Contrasts in modern Morocco

Traditional transport in modern Morocco

In many ways Morocco is a modern country quite at ease with high rise buildings, busy CBDs in the cities, modern communications – note the mobile phone towers in today’s photo – and many local concessions to and adaptations of the modern, western world.

Some traditional things still abound – like the people with their horse and cart (see above) taking their produce to market. The market was probably in a nearby Medina. I’ll show photos of the medinas in another post.

This photo was taken in Meknes.

On second thoughts: the “horse” may well have been a donkey. Donkeys far outweigh horses as beasts of burden in northern Africa.

Then of course, there are some locals who cannot afford a horse or a donkey.

Street scene in Meknes, Morocco

Meknes, Morocco

Reception area of our hotel in Meknes, Morocco

After a long day exploring Rabat we travelled on towards Meknes, arriving well after dark. We settled into our accommodation for the night (shown above) and then walked a short distance down town to a lovely restaurant for the evening meal. This hotel was typical of those we stayed in during our tour. All were very comfortable and well kept with excellent service from the staff.

Next morning I took the photo below of a shop front. It was called “Miss Rose” but we left before we could see what kind of shop it was, or what it was selling. I only took the photo because our daughter’s name is Rose, and we had the delight of having her accompany us on this holiday.

Shop front in Meknes, Morocco

Modern building in Meknes, Morocco