Hi Team!
We are just back from a mental week in Morocco - and what an AWESOME country!! I have to say I have never experienced anything quite like it! It is still very much a vibrant third world country .... where else will you see donkeys instead of cars, camels, horse + carriages as a main mode of transport and mud shanty towns lining the roads. It was unreal and I can hardly wait to go back and explore some more!
We flew into Agadir - the package tourist Miami of Morocco - not real Morocco at all!! But was a good cheap base. In saying that we had our first experience of the souk (market) - and what an experience that was "Hello my friend, come in for a free look..." , and whats more the 5 year olds that attach to your legs to show you around and ask for money speak every language under the sun! We also experienced a crazy moroccan being chased by police through our restaurant- tables, chairs and waiters flying!
Then it was time to hire a car and head up the West coast to Essaouira -the windy city. The drive was cool, the surf and kite spots were unreal - loads of dubbie vans packed full of Poms and Aussies checking out the rolling breaks. It was crazy - men just sit on the side of the road everywhere, even in the middle of nowhere - it is truly a mans world - I think the women do all the hard work - while the men laze about in the sun, chat and drink fantastic coffee. We spent a night in Essaouira (where they shot Othello incidently) - watched the kite surfers, haggled in the souk, got lost in junkie territory and strolled the fishing port.
Then it was off inland to Marrakech - the drive was cool - every person waved and smiled - smiles lighting up their whole face! Very friendly people.. Marrakech was WICKED. We satyed in a beautiful little riad called Riad Boussa. It was run by Brigitte and Bruno (neat French couple) the decor is amazing, I want a house just like that - all riads are open air with roof terraces, beautiful rugs and lets not forget the Moroccan doors!! We cannot thank gorgeous Samirah from the riad for her amazing cooking, advice and giggles in french!! We were sad to leave, and I will take you up on the offer to come back and learn to cook in your kitchen!
Gosh where to start with Marrakech. Never before have I seen and heard such a melange of colours, noise, people and smells. We were staying right in the maze of the medina, near the entrance to the winding souks. We had a ball in the Souks - all those babouces (shoes), spices piled perfectly, donkeys and scooters trying to kill you at every turn - and lets not forget the scarfs, rugs, jewellery and just about anything you could ever want!! The shop keepers are MORE than happy to find it for you!!! We only once had a problem with being hassled by a young kid near the leather tanneries - other than that none of the bothers I read about. Although I must say I wore long linen pants and shirts every day - not sure how the offensive tourists in boob tubes and micro shorts did!!
We also took in Jemma el fna square - monkeys and snake charmers by day, fabulous open air food stalls by night!! I was transfixed by them , though I gave the whole sheeps heads a miss! We watched soccer in an all mens cafe - good one ! Hit the Palace, and drank beer in Kosybar watching the sunset over the cities prominent Kotubia. Thhe medersa next the mosque was also beautiful - mosaics and peaceful detail.
We were sad to leave Marrakech - then we set off on a mission drive over the High Atlas mountains (30 degrees at the bottom, snow on top!) and home. Loads of cool mud villages tucked in the mountains, and I will try not to remember the precarious windy roads only big enough for us and the passing donkey!
We spent the last day chilling on the beach and learning to surf up the coast from Agadir. Our coach was this cool 9x Moroccan surf champ dude - we both stood up, got nailed on the rocks and had a ball!!! Whats better than paddling about and seeing camels on the beach.
And then it was time to say au revoir and head back to Cork - tans fading instantly! We are full of Tajines, couscous and all the sights and sounds. What a fantastic trip, can't wait for the next adventure!!!!
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