The Good Life in Morocco

Black Handira Magic - Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Wow said Fatiya it is just like the night sky. Well that is exactly what must have inspired this weaver.
Large vintage black handira, very rare- 3.1 x 1.8m, it is absolutely stunning, covered in sequins and woven will natural yarn.

A total show stopper a huge amount of work has gone into this handira. It's like a very expensive haut couture piece.

Handira Gems - Zamzam Boutique

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Since a year ago when I posted the gorgeous orange handira on my website which flew out the Boutique, I have many of you emailing me if I have any more or if I can find such pieces like that. The answer so far has been no, until this morning when I got a call. "I have 3 pieces, really good ones, shall I come to your riad?" Yes please do come now I said getting all excited. 30 minutes later the door bell rang and in entered The 3 Wise Handira, Red, Green and Black, all vintage, all gorgeous. I thought I had forgotten to take my asthma puffer but remembered I had. I must calm down I thought, chill out! but the literally took my breath away. I'll take them all I said, thank you so much and off he went. Immediately one of the writers staying with us for the AiM festival came out. "what are they he said, can I have one?" he was nearly as flustered as me, he had no idea what they were but he was intoxicated. Red or green, red or green, ok i'm having the green. Although I'm happy he bought it and was so thrilled with his treasure I would have liked to play with it a little longer!
Anyhow, this is the red one!!
I was wearing it, I told Fatiya if the king ever invites me to tea this is what I will wear, she knows I'm mad.
Thousands of sequins it looks like a fish the way it shimmers. Drop me an email. Zamzam Boutique - there are lots of gorgeous classic ones in my collection too go and have a look.

The creation of The Witches hat

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:35:00 +0000

I know it is a loooooooooong time ago but I'm now catching up with my posting and thought it would be a shame not to post these! I came home from an exhausting day at the riad and my daughter said - I need a special witches hat by the morning to wear to Halloween. Marcus said that's impossible ............. men!
A serious of designs, calculations, a Kellogg's box and the dog biscuit bag, and Marcus's very special supply of super glue from the UK (he wasn't too happy about that!)
And voila an everyday Harry Potter hat with the right amount of flexibility! They always told me at school I should have been a theatre wardrobe mistress - Maybe they were right!

Zamzam Boutique - New Collection of Beni Ouarain Carpets

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Dear readers, I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while i've been so busy organising the Zamzam Retreat - Journey of Awakening in January. I've got lots of news and photos to share with you starting with the most recent and working back. I have at last had time to replenish my stock of Beni Ouarain Carpets for the Zamzam Boutique. I have got some lovely vintage pieces in this recent collection please click on the link to have a look at the photos and sizes. Email me the references of any pieces you would like information on.
Simple but stunning!
This one I adore it is my favourite piece, but I love the chocolate brown and the loose weave.

Journey of Awakening Retreat - Zamzam Riad Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:29:00 +0000

We have been really busy organising the first "Journey of Awakening Retreat" at Zamzam. On the 28 January we will be holding an exciting four day Ashtanga Yoga and Reiki Retreat in Marrakech at Zamzam.

The four days will be all inclusive, including Yoga with Aisha, Reiki with Reiki Master Rebecca Hutley from Spain, delicious and nutritional food to feed body and soul by Emma and her Zamzam chefs, a journey into the Atlas Mountains with lunch at the stunning Kasbah Toubkal and a visit to the Agafay Desert outside Marrakech to La Pause, an eco retreat where we will have a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars! For more information on the programme and events, email Emma - zamzamriad@gmail.com

Yoga Guru, Aisha Barzaghi will be leading two yoga sessions a day to work holistically with your awakening on this retreat. Aisha now living in Marrakech and building a dedicated yoga retreat has lived and trained for 7 years in New York City and 7 years in San Franciso, and has combined a variety of styles, from Ashtanga Yoga to Power Vinyasa Yoga and pranayama (breathing technique) and meditation, to a more slower inward Yin Yoga focusing on alignment and refinement of asanas. Her teaching style focuses on prana building, building heat in the body to cleanse, release, remove and heal various aspects of the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual bodies.

Her training and experience as a bodyworker brings an acute sense of the anatomical layout of the body to the application of asana practice.

Knowing that each individual is unique in their own right, as their bodies are, to the journey and practice of yoga, being aware in each class, each lesson, the unique individuals needs to that journey and nurturing that through humour, patience and loving kindness.
Aisha currently holds classes at Kasbah Tamadot (Richard Branson's Kasbah), she is excited to be joining this holistic retreat at Zamzam.
The second major component to the "Journey of Awakening Retreat" is Rebecca Hutley who will be coming from Spain to mentor and unveil reiki on the retreat and use her healing hands. Rebecca has been a Reiki Master of Usui and Tibetan Reiki for over 10 years. Her life in that time has taken her around the world teaching, training and practicing. She has worked with MTV, taking a team of Reiki practitioners on European tour and has taken Reiki into the corporate arena. She says, ‘Reiki is a gift to the modern world reminding us that we can heal ourselves. It is a form which takes us beyond our current perceptions of the body and how it works and explains the indivisible links between the mind, emotions, body and Soul. Reiki is a practice which enables people to relax and explore aspects of themselves often hidden by their busy lives. It becomes a way of being by re-connecting us to our true self’.

All of this and more will create a powerful and exciting four days journey in and around Marrakech. The all inclusive activities will be optional and we have created free time and guides for you to discover the magic of the Medina itself. Zamzam will host The Journey of Awakening Retreat so you will get the best of both worlds - full concierge service, luxurious beds to jump into at night, heated pool and spa facilities.

If you are interested in finding out more about The Journey of Awakening Retreat - Zamzam Riad - Marrakech, please email Emma - zamzamriad@gmail.com

Come and discover what it's all about!

Zamzam patisserie continued - Moroccan cakes

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:02:00 +0000

Here you can see the filling being made, the yellow mixture is butter, being added to the ground almonds. Layering it out like a biscuit bottom to a cheesecake.Having put on the final layer of pastry, it is cut diagonally both ways to make little diamond cakes, a toasted almond is carefully placed onto each one.The delicious sticky end result. You'd better come to Zamzam and try them!

Moroccan patisserie - Zamzam Cooking

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:48:00 +0000

These are more of Joanna's photos of the girls making the Moroccan sweet patries. At the riad we serve these on the side with home made ice cream as a desert, they are delicious and very sticky. Hopefully these photos will be featured in a Food Magazine shortly.

Making the pastry. Two neat balls one for the top and one for the bottom of the little cakes.I will post the next set of photos so you can see the complete picture. The pastry melts in your mouth as you sink your teeth into a thick nutty centre, followed by lip licking honey!

AiM International Biennale - Arts in Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:19:00 +0000

AiM International Biennale 3rd Edition: Opening Thursday 19th - Monday 23rd November 2009. Arts in Marrakech. This festival was set up by Vanessa Branson and is organised through her team with Riad El Fenn in Marrakech.

This year Zamzam Riad has been added to the accomodation list and will be hosting two of the festival artists. People come from all over the world to visit this exciting festival in Marrakech. Below I have listed some information on the festival and a preliminary line up of who will be involved in the festival. These two yearly festivals are growing momentum and are great for the arts in Marrakech and as a promotion for Arts in Morocco and Moroccan artisits in the world.

This year's edition promises to be full of innovation, inspiration and intrigue. The program is more ambitious than 2007 with 5 days of discussions, readings, screenings and performances. AiM opens on the evening of November 19th at the Museum of Marrakech with the exhibition Articulating The Work and The Place curated by Abdellah Karroum, including newly commissioned works by Francis Alÿs, Loredana Longo, Seamus Farrell, Franck Bragigand, Faouzi Bensaidi & Yto Barrada. This exhibition will close on January 19th 2010. During the biennale opening celebrations, the acclaimed artist and filmmaker, Julian Schnabel, will discuss his life and work with Alan Yentob. The AiM biennale opening celebrations end on the evening of Monday 23rd November with a screening of Man On Wire and a discussion with the director James Marsh. There will also be an array of other talented writers, artists, performers and filmmakers showing and discussing the ideas behind their work. Click here for more information.

Third Edition, 2009

For the 3rd Edition of the AiM International Biennale the principal exhibition will be curated by Abdellah Karroum (L’appartement 22, Rabat) at the Museum of Marrakech. The literary programme will be organized by Simon Prosser (Publishing Director, Hamish Hamilton & Penguin), Abdellah Taia (Author of Salvation Army, An Arab Melancholy & My Morocco) & Alexandra Pringle (Editor in Chief of Bloomsbury Publishing); and the cinema programme will be put together in partnership with ESAV, Ecole Superieure des Arts Visuels (the only School of Cinema & Visual Arts in North Africa) under the direction of Vincent Melilli, Alan Yentob (BBC Creative Director) and Stuart Comer (Curator of Film at the Tate Modern).

Over five days, the AiM Biennale will premiere works from Francis Alÿs, Yto Barrada and Loredana Longo. Attendees will also include acclaimed artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, Oscar winning film director John Boorman, Booker prize nominee Ahdaf Soueif, Turner-nominee Isaac Julien, Al Jazeera English presenter Rageh Omaar, BBC TV arts executive Alan Yentob and award-winning Moroccan film director Faouzi Bensaidi, among others.

Full programme coming soon.
A Short Selection of Events Planned for 2009:
JULIEN SCHNABEL IN CONVERSATION WITH ALAN YENTOB
EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF MARRAKECH, curated by Abdellah Karroum, from the 19th November 2009 to 19 January 2010, A PROPOSAL FOR ARTICULATING WORKS & PLACES: http://www.works-and-places.appartement22.com/

SYMPOSIUM AT Ecole Superieure des Arts Visuels (School of film & visual art), “Documentary film – a view of reality or how filmmakers impose their realities?”

DISCUSSION with Director James Marsh followed by a SCREENING of the Oscar-winning film 'Man On Wire'

PROJECTION AT THE ROYAL THEATRE, Isaac Julien will show his film 'Western Union: Small Boats' in the unfinished opera house.

LITERARY DISCUSSIONS featuring Ahdaf Soueif, Andrew O'Hagan, Abdellah Taia, Sanaa El Aji & Barbara Trapido.

STORIES OF ORDER & DISORDER created & directed by Julien Fisera & Laurent Berger http://www.storiesoforderanddisorder.com/

TAVERNA ESPECIAL, at Kssour Agafay produced by the SKETCH GALLERY FOUNDATION
TEA PARTY at Riad Magi, with music, poetry & a photographic exhibition organized by Maggie Perry

Tree Sculptures - Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:57:00 +0000

What a whirlwind week. We have been busy at Zamzam, cooking classes and spa-ing not to mention sampling the local tipple. The hammam has been on full pelt and people have been in and out of the pool inbetween.
I wanted to post some photos of these fantastic tree sculptures that have appeared in the New Town of Marrakech. These wonderful old Eucalyptus have been turned into works of art and I think they are cool as.........

Just like a street of totems, think I need to commission one for the garden.

Joanna MacLennan at Zamzam Riad

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:14:00 +0000

These are the first edits of Joanna's photoshoot at Zamzam. To see more of the Zamzam shoot visit her website at http://www.joannamaclennan.com/ The carpet in this first shot is available online at Zamzam Boutique together with a larger stock of Beni Ouarain and Azilal, Berber carpets. Click on the link to check them out.
In the next two weeks she will be uploading the final edits of the cooking course photos and Yahya's lights from Yahya Creation.

Our Master Suite - The Palm Suite.

Zamzam Riad - Boutique

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:07:00 +0000

Well its been a busy week at Zamzam we opened to a full house, but half our staff dissapeared to another riad which wasnt great timing. They were poached by a big riad in Mouassine, gutting when you have spent so long training them. However we now have some fantastic new members of the team already riad trained too with top riad experience so maybe it was meant to be. Zamzam is now one and she has definately grown up this year.

Although the week was busy we had a great time with fabulous guests. We did lots of cooking courses and had a magician staying who is a member of the magic circle so we convinced him to give us a magic display which was great but left the staff a little stunned!

The photojournalist from Provence has just started posting final edits of the photo shoot she did in the riad a couple of weeks ago. I've posted some photos from the initial photos on her site for you to see. I think the photos for the Boutique below are fantastic, i'm so pleased with them. You can also see above my fantastic new collection of Juju hats from South Africa - how exciting are they??

Vintage Berber Wedding Blankets at Zamzam Boutique

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:27:00 +0000

I just thought I would share with you some of the new pieces I have bought for the Zamzam Boutique. I now have a gorgous collection of Handira (Berber Wedding Blankets) and some new editions of Berber Carpet, Beni Ouarains. If you click on this link it will take you to my online Zamzam Boutique where you will also see a recently updated collection of Beni Ouarain carpets.
These recently purchased Handira are beautifully clean vintage pieces.
This very shaggy wedding blanket is very unusual, I have never seen a Handira like this, it has tons of character.
What a treasure this is. A wedding blanket shawl it is absolutely stunning. I am told that Handira like these are very rarely made and they are for the Berber male wedding dress.

Zamzam photo shoot - Moroccan Cooking Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:57:00 +0000

We have have just had such a busy week with Joanna and Mike two photojournalists from Provence, but what a laugh we had too. They photographed two clients doing a Zamzam cooking course which also turned into great fun and the four of them ended up having dinner together and laughing most of the night.
Joanna wanted to photograph Karima making some delicate Moroccan pasteries and at the end the finished examples were painstakingly shot. I never realised how long and how much is involved in taking one still photo of an object. Hopefully we will get some great editorials on the riad interiors and food.
Joanna wanted to make the Zamzam logo out of doughnut batter. Really impressive don't you think. I thought it was going to look like bubble writing. I was so impressed with that idea. If you want to have a look at Joanna's fantastic work visit her website @ www.joannamaclennan.com

Zamzam Boutique - Marrakech Medina

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:23:00 +0000

WOW what a busy week it has been. My feet have not touched the ground since we got back from Europe. You see I had a very special Photo Journalist coming to Zamzam to photograph my carpets, wedding blankets and cooking courses for a number of Interiors and Food Magazines around the world, Joanna MacLennan.
The wardrobe we had been waiting for to display some items from the Zamzam Boutique turned up at last and I was very happy with it. The babouche and wedding blankets look stunning on the glass shelves lit from above.
A number of people popped in to the riad over the summer to see my collection of wedding blankets which I use to store in the souk with my carpets, but now at last they can be seen at the riad.
The Boutique makes a nice opposite view to the gorgeous Yahya fountain at the other end of the corridor. If you fancy a Beni Ouarain Carpet or one of these stunning wedding blankets - click on the link and look on line at the Zamzam Boutique to see the current stock.

The Cider Farm -

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:59:00 +0000

These were the fantastic barrels filled with dry cider, you turned the tap in the front and filled your glass, any misjudgement went in the buckets. I sat down to do my riad bookings with a fresh glass of cider in one hand what could be better.
We later had a wonderful home cooked dinner in the main cider room.
The Farm is called Txindurri Iturri, they do have their own website but you have to hunt around google a bit for it.
They are a big hit with the local community and every year they have a cider festival at the farm. All the cider is made by hand in the traditional method with the traditional apple press.

Our Way Home to Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:46:00 +0000

On the way home to Marrakech from Cognac our first stop for the night was on the Northern Spanish Coast. We booked into a Cider Farm. The Northern Spanish coast is stunning a bit like the west country but with lots of nice beaches. The Farm was great with lots of animals and friendly owners. Our country cottage had lovely old linen sheets on the bed with hand crocheted detail, a real home from home. The cider was free out of huge barrels and we had a superb dinner where shortly after we collapsed into bed and slept well in the lovely fresh air.
The Jersey cows on the farm with a donkey for company, he was much more sociable than the cows and quickly came to chat.

A picture of the cider farm in its gorgeous surrounds.

Photos from France

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:31:00 +0000

Sorry it has been quite a while since I have last written on my blog, unusual for me, but I have been ill for 6 weeks and am now left with chronic asthma! We had a real heatwave this summer in Marrakech it was 53 celsius when we left. We had decided this year to drive to France not fly and have a few nice stop offs en route to sample a few boutique hotels. Unfortunately 4 days before we were due to leave and head to the ferry at Tangier I came down with a terrible temperature and acute laryngitis that was so bad it made me cry when i swallow, I had had a weeks stomach bug before this. The trip was hard work as I spent each night in the lobby of a hotel, coughing and coughing, not ideal. I eventually ended up in a Spanish hospital for 5 hours with an oxygen mask and steroid shots, then several times with French doctors and then a hospital in London and then we drove home. Not all bad though, I thought I would show you some photos of the village lunch which is held each year in Lamberniere, where my parents live in France and where we go on holiday each August for a family get together.
My father has been extremely busy this summer making, mainly chutney but he made this wonderful elderflower wine which we took to the lunch with us.
The wood for the bbq from the local vines.
A clever portable bbq where everyone cooked their own meat. It was a very succesful lunch and the weather was glorious.

Zamzam Riad - Romantic accomodation Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:00 +0000

We are now on Room for Romance! Zamzam Riad is all about romance – it’s the perfect place for a honeymoon stay or just for indulging in some chillout time with your .partner.

So as you can imagine we were delighted to be selected for inclusion in the Room for Romance collection of romantic hotels.

Room for Romance is packed with details of romantic hotels, intimate inns and chic hideaways perfect for a romantic getaway, and they confirm that Marrakech is now one of the top destinations for a romantic escape. We’d second that!

Room for Romance describes us as “a sybaritic city retreat… one of the coolest new addresses in Marrakech.” For the full story, check out http://www.roomforromance.com/hotel/Zamzam-Riad

Luxury Villa Rental - Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:19:00 +0000

We have decided that we would like to rent out our Villa in Marrakech this August.

It has 3 bedrooms, all en-suite. A large salon, dining area and kitchen. The Villa has beautiful gardens and a nice pool which is enclosed for safety.

The Domaine has a Boutique hotel and spa with indoor pool a hop across the road for dinner or relaxing. The Domaine and Villa also have 24 hour security and the concierge at the hotel can organise trip and transport for you.

The Villa is situated 9km from Marrakech Centre and a taxi ride takes 15 minutes into town. It will come staffed with cleaners and a gardener to maintain and clean the pool for you.

The big garden is excellent for kids to run around in. The area also has horse riding, camel riding and quad biking 5 minutes walk down the road.
Nice outside patio with bbq for all summer dining.

If you know of any friends or family who may be interested in renting our Villa in August please ask them to drop me (Emma) an email at: zamzamriad@gmail.com

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:59:00 +0000

A Moroccan Birthday - Party Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:46:00 +0000

We waited for the guests with anticipation, will they come? they are a bit late? We are in Morocco I told myself and then to order 10 cars pulled up at the same time. The party began.

My daughter had a wonderful Birthday party this weekend. It was a perfect day, the weather not scorching hot so that all the little girls could enjoy the pool.
I managed to make her a Barbie Birthday cake, which I must confess, I am a little impressed with myself for pulling it off. Luckily the Barbie was a cheap imitation so we didn't have to cut off her legs, just pulled them off and put them in the cutlery draw for later. Making the fondant icing was a tall order but we pulled it off! you cannot buy it pre-made in Morocco.
The Marrakech Birthday was made complete with camels, belly dancing and desert nomad, plus of course chocolate fondue.
The perfect day was finished off with a lovely full moon full of Eastern Promise.

Moroccan Cooking - Zamzam Riad

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Returned from the market. Guests choose what they would like to cook. Todays menu was chicken tagine with olives and preserved lemons and a selection of Moroccan salads. Moroccan salads are usually cooked.
The array of spices for todays recipes.
Katie carefully taking notes!
The finale, a delicious lunch on the sun terrace washed down with a lovely Moroccan Rose!

Moroccan Cooking Classes - Zamzam Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:13:00 +0000

I thought you might like to see some photos of the local markets in the Medina. They might not look much but the fruit and veg is seasonal and prolific. It is so fresh. I decided to tag along with some clients and the wonderful Sadir who does our cooking classes at Zamzam. You can either go to the market and buy everything as these two did or just do the class in the riad.
Gorgeous baby gem lettuces on beds of celery, parsley, coriander and blow your head off radishes. These wonderful lemons with the belly buttons are fantastic for cooking they are less acidic than the normal ones and have a deeper flavour. I think it is facinating seeing all the produce and spices. For more info on these classes, contact us at Zamzam

Zamzam Nomads - Riad Marrakech

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:36:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Emma) — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:43:00 +0000

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 days a year sunshine and an aggressive national policy to boost tourism from 2 million to 10 million a year by 2010, Morocco has become one of the key hotspots for property investment.

For full details of this stunning development see:

www.lamandier-maroc.com

They also are writing a wonderful blog which keeps you up to the development of the villas and the sites as they are being built. The blog is well written and a good read - www.lamandier-maroc.com/blog/

We had a wonderful day visiting the site, the plot is absolutely breathtaking. Not far from Marrakech either but excellent as a retreat or to do some wonderful walking in the mountains.