#i went to the supermarket tonight to buy food when i proper woke up and boy

[zsazsa93-blog]

 Day 1: The chaotic Marrakesh

Yesterday we arrived in Marrakesh around 9.30. The airport was a stunning architectural building. We were pretty surprised how new and clean it was.

Marrakesh Airport 2018

After a never-ending queue at the border, we couldn’t find our driver to the Rijad, but there was a very helpful girl who called him and he finally came to pick us up.

The Moroccan driving style is quite the same as the south Italian one with a difference that there are camels and donkeys crossing the streets. The way from the airport till the Riad was very unexpectable. Clean and beautiful road with palm trees, luxurious mansions and the view of the snowy Atlas Mountains. After that, we headed to the Medina and our driver left us with a very old man who carried our backpack with a trolley till our accommodation. We felt bad because he seemed very weak. La Medina was crowded with people, shops, crazy drivers. All in all, it was a proper Moroccan chaos, but also very authentic. Our Riad was in a tiny and dark street, it was kinda creepy, but when we entered it was like a small palace of Aladdin. 

  Riad Dar Soukaina

The guy from the reception was very kind and he invited us for a Moroccan tea and also explained to us where to buy a SIM or where to change money. Then he also gave us a name. I was Aisha,and my friends Fatima and Laila :D. The Rijad is called Dar Soukina and we paid 50€/night/3 pax. The brekky was included and the transfer from the airport was 15€.

After the tea, we headed to the city. We bought an orange SIM card with 3GB data for 60DHM~ 5.5€. The guy helped us to activate it. You can buy it in every small shop. I really recommend it because of navigation and security reasons.

Things to see in Marrakesh:

Djemaa El Fna Plaza: The market square where you can buy fresh and delicious fruit juices for 4-10DHM. You can find there basically everything you need, from the cobra and monkey hypnotizer to the street-food and ATM-s.

Djema el Fna and their fresh smooth stands

  El Badi Palace: A nice ruin of an ancient Palace with Atlas Mountain views.

  Koutoubia Mosque: A beautiful mosque in the middle of the Medina.

  Zocos – Marrakesh Market (Souk) and Medina: a chaotic district with narrow streets, full of local shops, handicrafts, street-food and crazy scooter drivers.

  Kasbah Mosque: another stunning mosque.

  Saadian tombs: entrance costs 10 DHM, it is basically an ancient cemetery which looks like a hidden palace.

Our plan was visit everything in 1 day, but the problem was that all places are closing at 5 pm. Therefore we couldn’t make it to enter these places:

-Menara Gardens

-Majorelle Gardens

-Bahia Palace

-Medersa Ben-Yussef

-Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Day 2: Ouzoud Falls.

Our day started in a little rush because our receptionist told us that the driver is coming at 8.30 am. He came at 8.00 am … So we couldn’t have a proper brekky, but we had a nice smoothie at the big square for 10 DHM. We booked this tour with our Rijad (Dar Soukina) because it was easier for us that the driver comes directly to pick you up, instead of looking for the van in the middle of the Medina.

We were waiting for the group and we headed to the Ouzoud Falls through the Atlas Mountains. It was a 2.30 h drive from Marrakesh. We were so surprised because everything was so green with the snowy Atlas in the back, and the temperature was almost 35 C°. We didn’t expect that. It was beautiful. You could see some hidden Riad-s in the middle of nowhere, people using donkeys like public transportation or working hard on the plantations.

The tour costs 27€ and then there are some optional fees for the tour guide (30 DHM), lunch menu (100 DHM) or a boat ride below the waterfalls (20 DHM).

Our tour guide was a Moroccan Berber and he spoke in 5 different languages. They told us that they grew up in the desert learning from the Koran and their grandfathers showed them how to write. They didn’t go to college, but they know more things about life than us, they speak in more languages and they didn’t have the opportunity to study at an expensive University, not even High School. When we were talking to Aladdin from our Riad, he told us the same. It was very touching. You know, when you listen to this kind of interesting people, you start to appreciate what you have. The main message of this day was that we are studying and working hard to be competitive, but they are doing all of those things just to survive and to have clear water at their home. We are worried about our phone battery or other senseless things. Sometimes It would be a better lecture for everyone traveling to third world countries and learn from the local people, than sitting on the school chairs listening some useless subjects, that you are not even gonna use in the future.

The tour to the waterfall was amazing, I would really recommend it to everyone. Especially if you have more time in Morocco.

After the tour, we went to Hotel Mamounia, a stunning luxury hotel, and then we decided to have a nice dinner in Nomad.

You have to make a reservation, and it’s in the middle of the Souk, so it’s not really recommended to walk there and back during the night for three girls, but if you do it, just dress up properly and it’s gonna be fine, or you can take a door to door tuk-tuk for 30 DHM. The food was very delicious there, and the sunset was beautiful from the rooftop. Nomad is a high-quality restaurant in Marrakesh, so you have to expect also higher prices. We paid 160 DHM each and we had a main course, dessert and, fresh smoothies.

Day 3: On our way to the Sahara

Itinerary: Marrakech – Ait ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley.

We said goodbye to Aladdin and we headed to the Sahara. We were picked up close to the Rijad by Omar and Hassan, our Berber local tour guides for the next couple of days.

I would 100% recommend this tour for everyone. Here you can see the link to the agency:  Kasbah Luna del Sur

If you contact me directly I can give you the direct contact, Nuria, who can assist you with everything.

We drove through the High Atlas Mountains and stopped at Morocco‘s highest point Tizi en Tichka (2.260m) and we also visited some local Berber villages till we arrived in Kasbah de Ait Benhaddou (declared as Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987). Some famous movies were also filmed there such as:

Now the Kasbah is a touristic souvenir and handicraft village. No people living there anymore.

After we headed to the Dades Valley through Ouarzazate and the impressing Palmeral of Skoura. It was incredible how the landscape was changing from the snowy mountains, to the green fields and the orange desert. We didn’t expect that.

Entrance to the local Moroccan movie industry in Ouarzazate in Morocco with a blue sky and a perfect light

We stopped in a supermarket to buy some snacks and beers, which was pretty funny because we asked Hassan about Muslim religion vs. drinking and his answer was: You know Aisha(that was my Arabic name), there is Marlboro light, Coca-Cola light and, Muslim light. I‘m a Muslim light so I can drink.:D He was great, and exceptional.

Hassan is a nomad Berber guy who grew up in the Sahara, speaks 4-5 different languages, didn’t go to school and he knows much more about life than all of us. He never travelled anywhere of Morocco, and he doesn’t want to because as he told us: ” Everyone is coming here, I learn from tourists, I don’t need to travel when I can travel with them by just listening to their stories. I also have to add that for Moroccan people is pretty difficult to get a travel Visa because some of the special requirements make it impossible for them to cross their border. 

At the end of the day, we arrived in the Rijad in the valley, where we got an amazing dinner. The accommodation was super big and clean, the food was good and the views were amazing.

Day 4: Dades Valley- Todra-Merzouga

The next day, after a Moroccan breakfast (kinda bread with bread …😅), we continued our route through many Berber villages. We visited the Gorges of Todra with the possibility of eating there, and we also took advantage to see the impressive place with tranquility. We also had the opportunity to buy some handmade local stuff from a Berber nomad family. Omar helped us to bargain a little bit, he was very great.

Once the visit was finished, we went directly to the golden dunes of the Erg Chebbi, where we started our dromedary excursion, making a stop to watch the sunset, until reaching the heart of the desert.

Upon arrival to the desert camp, we had an excellent and refreshing tea with an exquisite Berber dinner, all enlivened by the music of the tam-tam (drums). We also tried sand-boarding, which was so much fun. I really recommend that for everyone. The crazy thing was that the tents were fully equipped with everything, we also had shower and toilet in our tents, which was incredible.

We enjoyed a unique and unforgettable night watching stars in the middle of the desert. We felt so small out there, it was breathtaking. One in a lifetime experience, for sure.

Day 5: Sunrise in Merzouga-Fez

Today, our Berber friend, Mustafa woke us up at 5.45 am because we had to get ready for the sunrise camel ride. After that, we arrived in the hostel when we left our stuff the day before, for breakfast and shower. After the brekky, we had to say goodbye. We were almost crying with the girls because they made our trip memorable. They are such an amazing people, that you won’t find everywhere. 

So the group headed back to Marrakesh, and we caught a taxi with another 3 people to Fez for 250 dirhams/person. It was a 7-8 hours drive with short stops. 

Finally, we arrived in Fez. We decided to book a night at the Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace, as I have the employee discount, we thought: “Why not? Tonight is our last night!”. We paid 35 euros/person/night with dinner and Hammam included. So, I think it was a pretty good deal. The rest of the day, we chilled at the Hotel and we planned our last day in Fez.

Day 6: Fez – Barcelona

In the morning when I did the check-out, I talked to the Front Office Manager. he was amazing, but they really wanted to sell us the tour guide for 250 dirhams (which is pretty expensive in Morocco), because they told us that is very dangerous for three girls to go to the middle of the Madina and get lost. First, I wanted to discuss it with the girls what they want to do in that case and finally, we decided to not taking the tour guide because it can’t be worst than in Marrakesh… and we were right at the end. 

First, we took a small red city “Petit Taxi” to the Royal Palace. It was incredibly cheap. We paid 80 dirhams for a 4 km-s drive (not even 80 cents). The driver was so funny and he loved us. I have to add that we realized that everyone loved us. Not because we are blond, pretty or just different, but we also learned some Moroccan words and they appreciated it so much.

After we took another red taxi to the famous Bab Boujeloud (Blue Gate) where you can access Talaa Kebeera – a massive street which is going into the middle of the Medina. You will find lines of souks, shops, arts & crafts will feast your eyes while the experience itself is like stepping into a time machine, whisking you right back to old Fez with immense charm. 

We had an amazing brunch in Cafe Clock for 44 dirhams with an amazing staff and atmosphere. the place was spened by a former maître d’ in London, Briton Michael Richardson has created a great resting place for travelers in the heart of Fez’s medina. Café Clock offers Arabic classes, cooking classes, traditional Moroccan music concerts and film screenings. Best of all, it has Wi-Fi!

After the brunch, we started to spend our dirhams that we had left in the Medina. We bought some souvenirs and we started our visit.

Top things to see in Fez medina in 1 Day:

Kairaouine Mosque: Some consider this the oldest university in the world, while this is definitely one of Africa’s largest mosques with the ability to host 20,000 people during prayer sessions. A Tunisian refugee Fatima el-Fihria established Kairaouine mosque established in 859. It was later expanded by Almoravides during the 12th century. Today, the mosque has been recently restored but non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, so you can simply peek at its courtyard from the main door.

Al Attarin Medersa: Built by Marinid sultan Uthman II Abu Said in 1323-5, Attarin Mderesa is a beautiful house where you can see gorgeous tile-work, carvings of Arabic woodwork and calligraphy on walls.This is a peaceful and lovely experience if you’re a fan of architecture and Arabic craftsmanship. Unfortunately, it was under construction when we arrived there.

Chouara Tannery & Fes el Bali: It’ll be a stinky experience but a total must-do! Bring a scarf or find a local who will bring you one of the rooftops and give you some mint for the smell. Fez is famous for its leather goods and the sight of tanneries has become a renowned must-see in every guidebook. Chouara Tannery is located 20-30 minutes by foot from the Blue Gate.

During our visit we saw a lot of nice fountains, mosques, museum, rijads and, places that you can’t really find on the internet. Fez Medina has 200 small narrow streets, it is easy to get lost, but if you follow your route then it isn’t that difficult to find your way back. If we could make it, then you can make it too. Sometimes, we also asked some locals in the small shops, and they were very helpful. You can ask them, but just don’t ask the random people in street. they will probably ask tip from you. You also have to avoid the fake tour guides. You will find a couple of them close to the blue gate.

Overall, we felt that Fez is much more relaxed and safe than Marrakesh. We were also dressed up properly with a pashmina and probably we also got used to the confusing or even rude comments on the streets. I can affirm that we were more careful with everything, but we also felt that the people are nicer and more helpful than in Marrakesh. The Medina was also very chaotic and overcrowded with people, donkeys, cats and, horses, but at least there weren’t any scooters like in Marrakesh. That was crazy. 

Money: 1 euros= 11 dirham (more or less). It is better if you pay everything by dirhams, and you can also withdraw cash from the local ATM-s. You can’t really pay anything by credit card, si i would recommend you to have enough cash with you. 

Useful Moroccan and Berber phrases:

English Transcribed Moroccan Arabic Moroccan Darija in the Arabic Alphabet Yes Iyyeh / ah / wah إييه/ آه/واه No Lla لا Please (addressing a singular) 3afak عافاك Thanks Shokran شكرا I love you (addressing a singular) Kanbghik كنبغيك I miss you (addressing a singular) Twe77eshtek توحشتك A lot Bezzaf بزاف A little Shwiya شوية Okay Wakha واخا Now Daba دابا Not now Mashi daba ماشي دابا Or Awla أولا And W و It’s not a problem / It’s okay Mashi moshkil ماشي مشكل (It was) not me Mashi ana ماشي أنا I want… Bghit… بغيت… I don’t want… Ma bghitsh… …ما بغيتش I am done / I finished Salit ساليت I am not done / I did not finish Ma salitsh ما ساليتش Beautiful (masculine, singular) Zwin زوين Bad/ugly (masculine, singular) Khayb خايب Good (masculine, singular) Mezyan مزيان

… and of course, our favorite one was: “Yalla, yalla! ” means let’s go, come on or hurry up.

In a couple of days, I will also upload an after movie of our trip.

For further questions, please contact me!:)

Let the unicorn be with you!🦄

Yalla,yalla Morocco Desert Experience: Marracesh-Sahara-Fez  Day 1: The chaotic Marrakesh Yesterday we arrived in Marrakesh around 9.30. The airport was a stunning architectural building.

#blog #desert #fez #marrakesh #morocco #sahara #travel