Google Earth (location of River Palm)

Google Earth streams the world [so you can] see places in photographic detail [...] based on real satellite images. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country. Download on the link below and use lat=31.6966141, lon=-7.98654267454 for the exact spot of the villa. (http://earth.google.com)

Two-star Michelin chef Richard Neat has opened a restaurant with riad in the medina. He gives his insider's guide to restaurants in the city.

See also www.riverpalm.co.uk

Keeping contact in Marrakech

(Just a joke, Y!) Mum & Dad will have mobiles with Moroccan SIM cards for this trip (and future visits), allowing them to be in cheap contact while there. Will insert Maroc Telecom SIM cards Monday and post their new telephone numbers on this blog same day. You can save costs by phoning 09061050020 from your landline and adding their mobile number after the prompt - costs 15p p/min. (I haven't tried this one yet, but if it doesn't work this one will - 09112284080 - 20p p/min.). Costs from mobiles will vary.

Re itinery, they arrive Monday a.m. and depart Friday a.m. (I'm with them until Wednesday p.m.). Will post photos from the trip on this blog on Thursday.

Moorish for less: You can enjoy Marrakech for peanuts but if you've had your fill of £1 tagines and haggling in markets, the finer things are also surprisingly affordable [Read the full article here, Guardian 21/04]

Click here for photos from Jnane Tamsna, a popular Riad among regular 'arty' visitors to Marrakech. Some good suggestions for interior design.

2 sides 2 every story...

Morocco's turning tide: A magnet for European tourists, with a new young king intent on reform, Morocco seemed set for a bright future. But modernisation, the rise of Islamism and a wave of al-Qaeda-linked bombings have left the country at a crossroads [...] (The Observer: full article here)

A happenin' place?

Interesting news for those who like star-gazing. Bonnie Tyler has bought a villa in River Palm, so you might find yourself having a total eclipse of the heart when you bump into her at the bakery. But then again, if she is still holding out for a hero she might ignore you.

Anyone know this other person? Don't recognise her, but Riverpalm seem keen to publicise her association; and my, doesn't she have a nice guitar? UPDATE: Ah... it's Kareen Antonn, French actress and singer who had a 2004 No. 1 hit in France with a duet version of 'total eclipse' with Bonnie.

Patricia Kaas too? (See the French version of the River Palm website). Which begs the question: Is there a singer/rocker thang happenin' at RP? And if so, opportunity for Chris...?

Other links click here

The next update will be early May after we return from Marrakech - new photos then too. (Clicking on the 'subscribe to posts' link below will allow you to be notified of that and other new posts.)