This is the very famous La Mamounia hotel, where such people as Winston Churchill and Richard Nixon have stayed. It was opened in 1923 on the site of a residence that belonged to the son of a sultan in the 18th century. All that remains is the magnificent 130,000 square meter (32 acre) garden planted with olive and orange trees and a pavilion that was built by a Saadian ruler in the 15th century.

This evening we attended an iftar (fast-breaking dinner in the month of Ramadan) hosted by the Saudis in my husband’s organization. It was wonderful to see Saudis and Americans enjoying themselves together, and a delicious meal and good time was had by all. They gave me a lovely Saudi dress as a souvenir, what a nice surprise!

One last view of the rose petal-filled fountain at Riad Kniza, posted earlier: