The arrival in Morocco was marred only by my exhaustion from lack of sleep and the pain in my feet….O, and possibly the exorbitant taxi fare to the Medina (better to get the ripped-off bit out of the way quickly 🙄). And we had to walk the last bit as our driver didn’t know where he was going….But once ensconced in our riad, all was well.
On my last visit to Marrakech, my room had been close to the big square so I’d been hoping this one was too….much better to be close to the action….but the quiet and serenity of Dar Salam Palm soon won me over, and our host, Faisal, was completely disposed to making our stay unblemished.
Being Jen’s birthday, we dumped our luggage and ventured off to find a nice restaurant for an appropriate lunch. It was sooo wonderful to again be able to order delicious vegetables, and fresh food that wasn’t beige!! Alcohol free, but a surprise addition from the gorgeous wait-staff of a wee gooey chocolate cake with ice cream, and a song, made it special.
Then it was off on a voyage of discovery…..discovering how often one can get lost in the Medina! Very often, being the answer to that 🤣
Eventually finding our way around, it was back to the riad for a ‘cup of tea and a lie-down’ to recharge. There wasn’t even a need for dinner….
The next morning a fabulous breakfast, of fresh fruit, pancakes and coffee was served on the terrace, then we were off to delight in the treasures of the souk.
I find it’s better not to engage with the shopkeepers unless you’re actually intending to buy something, because these men are masters of their game, namely, extracting as much money from you as they can. That’s not to say they don’t do it charmingly….which is often the problem…. However, if you are buying, then the whole experience can be extremely pleasant, and fun. This was one such shop, which we emerged from over an hour later….
A few more purchases over the course of the day, topped off by massages in the evening, then off to the big square, Jemaa el-Fna, for dinner, and the pure wonder, of this place at night….intoxicating!!
Off to Essaoiura on the morrow for a spot of sea-change. Farewell Marrakech, it’s been lovely to catch up 🧡
Travel Tales 