We've had a lovely holiday, but it's time to go home. I'm ready to go... We've seen the main sights of Marrakesh, I've eaten my fill of tagine and couscous, I need some clean clothes, and I'm looking forward to seeing Millie. After breakfast, we went to get some cash to make sure we had... Continue Reading →
Christmas Day: Spa and bar
This was to be a very odd Christmas Day, with no family, no presents, no Christmas music or cheesy television programmes, and no Christmas dinner. However, it was still a lovely Christmas Day... Very relaxing. We had a lie in and a late breakfast, and sat on the riad roof terrace for a bit, then... Continue Reading →
24th December: Christmas Eve sun and sand in Essaouira
Today we had a 2 and a half hour journey to the Atlantic coast to visit the pretty seaside town of Essaouira, with its port, ramparts, beach and medina. After a lovely breakfast of pancakes, fresh coffee and orange juice, our driver picked us up at 9 and we set off through the chaotic roads... Continue Reading →
23rd December: Belly dancers, the night market and the souks
Yesterday evening, after some of the guys on the trip went to the barbers for a shave and hair cut, we sampled the delights of the night market. Having been ushered to a table, we chose what we wanted to eat from the stall... Freshly cooked and delicious, and very cheap! I went for pastille...... Continue Reading →
22nd December: Majorelle Gardens, Mamounia Hotel & Jemaa El Fna
It's a beautiful day again today, but it looks as though cloud may come in tomorrow so we decided to stay outside as much as possible today. It's lovely being able to sit outside in T shirts in December. After breakfast, we caught a taxi to the Majorelle gardens, quite an experience because the roads... Continue Reading →
21st December: Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs & Badii Palace
Today we decided to have a relaxed day to make sure I was fully recovered. After a late start and leisurely breakfast, we chose to leave the manic markets and souks for another day and visit some of the sights of Marrakech that are within an easy walk of the riad. First we wandered up... Continue Reading →
20th December: The descent to Marrakech
After another bad night's sleep, I got up at 5.30 to go to the loo and take some more painkillers for my headache. I then snuggled back into my sleeping bag to wait for the others to wake as they had an early start before climbing Toubkal. After a while, I became aware of John... Continue Reading →
19th December: Acute mountain sickness
I couldn't wait for the night to end. I kept waking every every hour or so and struggling to get back to sleep. Although the room was freezing, I was snug in my sleeping bag and my ear plugs reduced the sounds of the others snoring and high altitude farting... A recognised condition! However, as... Continue Reading →
18th December: A long day climbing 1500m in the Atlas Mountains
We got up early and had a large breakfast of cereal, yoghurt, bread and jam. Then we filled our flasks and checked our packs, donned coats, hats and gloves and set off to climb from Imlil to Riad Atlas Toubkal high in the Atlas Mountains. As the snow on the paths wasn't too bad, we... Continue Reading →
17th December: From London to the high Moroccan hills
We got up at 5 and caught the shuttle bus to the airport, bumping into Paul at the check in desk quite by chance. Thankfully our bags were under the allowance and nobody questioned the size of our rucksacks as hand luggage. After I'd set off the alarms at security and been frisked, we met... Continue Reading →