Blogs from Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco, Africa - page 36

Sunny Marrakech You can tell I'm slowly becoming a Pom when the thought of a few days of blue skies and 20'c maximum temps is like heaven on earth! Absolutely loved the sun in Marrakech and spent as much time in the sun as I could and even got a little sun burnt (yes bad I know but oh so good!). Marrakech as a holiday destination is definitely on the up and up with a fancy new airport soon to open, heaps of development going on and more cheap flights from UK/Europe bringing hundreds of tourists to the city - give it a few years and I think it will be one of the more popular sunny weekend breaks. The flight over was pretty spectacular with views of Portugal, Spain, the Rock of Gibraltar etc. Once ... read more

Geo: 31.6334, -7.9996The next day our confidence level had grown and we were ready to take on the square cameras in hand. First, breakfast. Our riad was like a B&B and breakfast was included. They served pancakes... well, crepes. And bread with jams with coffee and juice. We went down to the square and took pictures. You should negotiate the price before you start snapping away and you will inevitably be hounded by others for more money even though you already paid another guy. We weren't keen to hold the snakes so we photographed from afar. The monkeys however Beth and I held. You must check out the videos on you tube. http://youtube.com/user/sgskinny We ventured back into the souks, this time to buy. We found our way to the spice area and Steve found the guy ... read more

Day 4 - it was Saturday, so a "day of rest" for us. But with the Souks so close by, we had a great time wandering around, knowing that we couldn't buy anything (see explanation on day3). We had bought tickets to the Marrakech Museum and the Medersa on Friday, so we spent the morning visiting these very interesting places. Definitely not to be missed. Back to Mrs. Peretz for lunch, and then another walk around the Jemma El Fna, this time during the day. There were a few snake-charmers around, but not so many - maybe because it was November, and there weren't many tourists? Saturday evening, we had booked tickets to Ali's Fantazia. Again, everyone was very accommodating - the owner of our Riad had very decently driven over on Friday to book a ... read more

Day 6 - today we were supposed to have a whole day in Marrakech, leaving the hotel at around 17:00, to catch our flight out at 19:10. But, as I told you on day 5 - Iberia screwed us again, and we had to leave our hotel at 12:00, so basically the whole day was shot. We wanted to make the best of it anyway, and enjoy the atmosphere and smells till the last second. So, we made an early start, to see the sights that we had not seen on Friday (remember? we went into the Souks and almost never left?) - so that meant the Saadian Tombs, El Bahia palace, and Palais Dar Si Said. We left the Riad, and looked for a taxi, but there were none to be had. Now, do you ... read more

At 4am Boxing Day, in the dark, cold, and quiet morning. I made my way to the airport, and flew out of London to Marrakesh (or Marrakech) in Morocco, with my housemate. It was only a 2 hour flight, but I had landed on another contenant. The ‘Red City’ at the base of the Atlas Mountains. The Muslim, Arabic speaking city had a huge French influence and almost everyone who tried to speak to me, presumed I was French too. The taxi driver who took me to the hotel was a little adventurous to say the least. He was keen on playing 'chicken' with oncoming traffic. All in all, the people were very welcoming, however, they insisted that they follow me along the street as I went sightseeing, just in case I needed directions which they ... read more