Emma in London & now in Melbourne: Morocco Express

Monday, May 26, 2008

Morocco Express

Nine days in Morocco seemed like a lot when we had some long travelling days on a mini bus with our group but reflecting back on it already, it was a really great holiday. Exploring my first African - and first Islamic country - was a great experience and a welcome change to the holidays I’ve taken in the last two years. Don’t get me wrong though, I still love beach and gelati hols!

Our group of 7 – Louise & Andrew, Jaimee & Damian, Laura, Mattias & I – opted for a group tour with Intrepid for ease of logistics. We started in Marrakesh, and it took us to a village in the high atlas mountains, a camp in the sahara desert, the world heritage listed kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, and via Taroudannt on our way to the beach town of Essaouira before going back to Marrakesh.

Our little posse was an absolute delight to travel with and it will be a very memorable adventure!

Here are my highlights:

1. Stepping into the instantly calming courtyard of a traditional riad (I need to do this again at some point in time)

2. Shopping in the souqs of Marrakesh…and Taroudannt & Essaouira

(I bought 2 throws for my new place here!)

(yes, this flea market does have everything including the kitchen sink!)

3. Mint tea with the gang overlooking the Marrakesh medina at night

4.Two of the sites in Marrakesh that we visited – Ali ben Youssef Medersa (theological college) and the Jardin Majorelle (garden owned by Yves Saint Laurent)

(Damian, Jaimee, Louise & Laura)

5. Camel ride through the Sahara Desert (this sounds cheesy I know, but it was so serene up there!)

6. Waking up at sunrise surrounded by sand dunes after camping out overnight

7. Being scrubbed down by an old woman in a traditional Moroccan hammam – doing what the local women do alongside them

(the door to secret women's business)

8.Walking the lively but relaxed streets of Essaouira (on our guided walking tour and by ourselves)

(the blue paint on windows & doors was originally thought to keep away insects which is why its everywhere!)

Here are some other random pics and tid bits...

Bumping along over sandy desert roads in the front seat of a Landrover on our way to the desert

Having completed our 3 hour trek to a village up beyond our lodgings in the mountains, and through what seemed to me a very rugged, bleak & dry landscape, our guide lead us back down along a surprisingly different path that was lush with wildflowers and we jumped across and waded through 3 waterfalls!