One of the outstanding features of my visits to the Middle East, Iberia, and Morocco is the beautiful tile work. These are wonderful artistic expressions, and many of the hand decorated tiles are unique. Even the stenciled ones make for fabulous mosaics that make the art and architecture stand out.
In Morocco (and in Iberia), I found not only the tiled walls, but even the pavements in places had intricate patterns and sidings.
Even the bathrooms featured tile patterns which made accented the copper sinks and presented an artistic atmosphere.
Moroccan tiled Bathroom
Doors and Screens (and Tiles)
Tiles and Hangings
The pictures above shows the beauty of how these features all come together to give a a scenery experience. This sense of space and place really enhances life, and it is because of this that the motifs have been borrowed to create atmosphere elsewhere (see below).
Much (but not all) of this wonderful art was found in and around my hotel, Riad Dalia which was a terrific place to stay. I stayed at the Dalia for two nights, and enjoyed the peace, beauty and atmosphere of the place. Mohammad and his staff are truly wonderful people, and were helpful from the booking onwards. They arranged transfers for me on arrival and departure. I was greeted at the taxi stand and shown the way to the riad through the twists and turns of the madina (all this with them carrying my bags). I was given a bottle of cold water on arrival, and shown to my room which was beautifully decorated.
The quality of sleep was wonderful. The double bed was one of the most comfortable I have slept in whilst on travels (there was also a second single bed in the “chamber” which was softer as well). Since the room overlooks the courtyard there was ambient noise through the shuttered windows, but this was quiet chat on the first night, and a member of staff softly practicing traditional music on the second (a marvelous sound to drift off to).
The breakfast was served in the courtyard. Moroccan bread with butter, cheese, and jam; a boiled egg and freshly squeezed orange juice served on arabesque plates. The meal was tasty, and the coffee good. In fact, I should note that I found the juice far better than the “must have” juice at the Jamaa el Fna. The riad also offers other meals if you let them know you want them. While I didn’t arrange either of my evening meals here, I was served some very nice bread, tomatoes and juice just before my departure.
The helpfulness and attention of the staff can again be mentioned, as I was once again guided out of the narrow streets till I got a handle on the route on my second day. Staff members also helped with my bags to the pick up point on the day I left.
The courtyard, rooms, and common areas are really atmospheric, and the decorations gorgeous. I spent some very pleasant time just chilling in the shade of the courtyard.
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 
These are beautiful.
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Gorgeous!
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