Last 24 Hours in Morocco

After leaving Chefchaouen, we bussed north to Tangier and had soup in café Hafa, which apparently is where the Beatles used to go. You sit on terraces overlooking the Gibraltar Strait, and can see the lights of Spain across the water. It was too dark for a photo, but a very cool experience.

Then, the overnight train back to Marrakech.

Arriving in Marrakech after 10 hours on board

We had been looking forward to using our (hopefully) expert haggling skills to get all sorts of bargains upon return to Marrakech. Unfortunately, we discovered that the town was a lot more geared towards tourists than our memories of it from a week earlier. Amazing how much a week of travel can open your eyes! The shopkeepers weren't prepared to haggle properly, rejecting fair offers in favour trying their luck on the next unwitting tourist who didn't know better.

In the main souk

We were meant to be staying in the same riad as last week, but through a mix-up of theirs they had to move us to somewhere else nearby. To make up for it, they gave us a free three course dinner with wine, plus airport transfers the next morning! Now that's what I call good complaint resolution.

The next morning we felt ready to go home as we headed towards the airport. Morocco was a wonderful part of the world to experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone, but we sure were looking forward to a hot bath by the time we got on the plane!

Day Two in Marrakech

Day two in Marrakech begins with breakfast on the roof of our riad.

Afterwards, we make our way through the rush of the souk to the museum of Marrakech. There wasn't a lot inside, but the architecture was reason enough to visit: the building used to be a royal palace.

After lunch, we visited the old Medersa (Muslim University) The courtyard was awe-inspiring and we sat there for a good half hour before continuing.

The tiny student's quarters each had a little window... naturally we took advantage of the photo op!

 

After a quick rest at the riad, we ventured into the main square to find some dinner. It wasn't as delicious or as cheap as we had hoped, but definitely a worthwhile experience nonetheless!

Marrakech

Our eight day trip around Morocco starts off in Marrakech.

We're staying at Riad Hala, a tiny family run place just a few tight alleyways away from the main town square.

Frankie and Paul in front of the door to our riad

Morocco is culturally the farthest I've ever been from home. I've learned that photos can't prepare you for a sensory overload.

One of the first things we see when we get out of our taxi from the airport is a hooded cobra, mesmerised by an old snake charmer. As we listen to his haunting Arabian tune, the call to prayer rings out from all the mosques. They're the only taller buildings in the bustling medina district and serve as some of the only landmarks as we navigate the labyrinthine terracotta streets surrounding them.

More than a little unnerving!

My concentration is broken by an old man calling to me in French to get out of the way of his donkey as it pulls who-knows-what behind it in a dilapidated cart.

An old porter from our riad has met the taxi at the edge of the medina to show us the way. He's missing his front teeth and doesn't speak any English, but I can recall enough French to understand what he means when he mutters something and gestures his leathery hand towards a busy alley just past the main square.

He's telling us where to find the main markets. I can see a few of the stalls near the entrance selling brightly colored traditional clothing. There's an fascinating aroma I later discover to be a mix of mint tea, Moroccan spices and cakes of musky perfume.

After leaving our bags at the riad and changing into something cooler, we head in to explore the markets up close.

One apothecary spends about 15 minutes showing us traditional Moroccan deodorant (a quartzlike crystal), toothpicks (a pinecone with spines that you break off) lipstick (a clay lid with paste from a crushed red flower on one side) and even viagra (a ginseng root that you boil with water and sugar).

Naturally, he charges us triple what we should have paid for our bag of spices and cake of musk perfume, but we decide not to care: his show was worth it.

It's only our first day, after all.

Spot the kitten

Sunset over the medina from the roof of our riad