I knew it would eventually happen. I would come across a bad experience along the way. Little did I think it would be Morocco though. I guess that made it even worse. You know how they say first impressions last. Well it certainly did that for me in great fashion. It also doesn’t help that I wasn’t in exactly in the best of states when I arrived.

Also quick tip, If you have any remaining local currency before you leave a country, two things. First make sure you get rid of all coins and have only notes if you can. Secondly. Change it at the airport for USD. Saves issues later on.

Anyway I arrived unfortunately with no money except Jordanian cash which they wouldn’t exchange and my bank card locked. No data and no way to contact anyone, more importantly I was seriously hungry after flying for about 10 hours on little food. You see where this was headed?

As I said before. I was not in the best of states. So when I get outside and there are heaps of people from companies picking up their transfers and mines nowhere to be seen in start to look around. Not a good start…
Over the next two hours in mid 30’s heat, walking between two terminals. To be fair some of the other locals were quite nice and tried to help me find the driver and contact someone. But I still ended up asking every driver if they are here for me. Mine finally shows up. Didn’t apologize or talk to me and drives me to the hotel in a dangerous manner. Now for me to even say that is saying something. I was somewhat beyond ticked off.

This set a stage which I thought oh well, bad day, least I’m in Casablanca and in Morocco. I have a day to chill before I meet the group as they started in Marrakech.

Now everyone is entitled to their opinion and I will admit mine would have been clouded a little but I like to think I’ve got A straight up view of things and after chatting with the rest of my group later it was a consensus. Don’t go to Casablanca. Plain and simple. It’s not worth going there outside of the mosque and I’ll get to that as it is an amazing building.

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and it shows. It’s very filthy and when you walk the streets unless you walk by the ocean all you smell is warm garbage. The people there are very aggressive  (was almost in a couple fights) and it’s just not a safe place to be. It’s a shame as I had really high expectations going into it. Even trying to find a restaurant of nice place to eat was a pain. Anyone that’s seen the movie has this idea of what it is and unfortunately it is far from it. Rick’s cafe wasn’t much worth seeing and hadn’t been maintained that well.

I know I’m painting a pretty black picture. Not what I’d like to do. but I’m writing this blog to remember what I’ve experienced.

The one ray of light from Casablanca was the Mosque. This building stands out as the only contrast to an entire city.  This building was recently built in the 1980s and they took extreme pride in building it. This building holds over 20,000 people for Prayer everyday and to be able to go inside and see it was truly something to experience. They placed it on the edge of the ocean as to one of the pillars of the Koran that the seat of god is at the ocean. It is something you can truly appreciate in the work and a place of pray and worship.

After that, it was time to get out, and I can say I did not miss leaving. We headed next to Rabat which is the capital on our way to Meknes. It was a bit nicer and was interesting to see some of the old ruins and learn about the capital and how it was moved the Rabat by the French as the preferred the climate there.

We stayed the night in Meknes and in the afternoon got a chance to wonder through one of the markets. It was a nice place and fully packed with people and allot of shoe stalls like ridiculous amounts of shoes. I’m sure the ladies would have a field day if we weren’t on a time limit. I did however manage to find myself with a snake wrapped around my neck. Give something a try right? That is until you realize you have a poisonous snake wrapped around your neck by a total stranger trying to hustle you for cash. Thankfully I came out of it without being bitten by the snake or my wallet. I even got a parting gift from the snake!

Outside of that there wasn’t anything to talk to about Meknes.
Next was a place I’d been hoping to see Chefchaouen. The blue city. Well not that blue when you look at it from the outside. But still a very pretty city once your inside. The hotel posed a few problems such as child size beds, no running hot water and a few people moved around due to smell of sewage in their rooms. Yeah…

By this stage a few of us were in need of a drink! We were a week still from the start Ramadan. But, when it came to dinner and no booze was in sight we were a bit pissed in the wrong way. It seems they actually stop selling and close up the bars and pubs earlier in preparation. If you like to drink while traveling and are going to a Muslim country it is worth of note BYOD.

However we managed to find a restaurant with an amazing view overlooking the city. It was something to behold. The next day got us a tour through the Medina. For those that don’t know what that is. That’s the (old city) market area with lots and I mean lots of alleyways and if you don’t know your way you will get lost. I recommend only ever going through one with a guide

The colours and the smells and items they had were amazing. Even walked to the local share washing area and followed it up to the natural spring that feeds the city.

The next stop after that was Fes. Fes, I found to be the start of things changing for the better! It had a good vibe and people were nice. We got to have a amazing dinner and show which had music, magicians, belly dancers oh yeah and where I got married, to two Russian brides… Yeah that happened. Was fake of course but was a fun time and they were lovely ladies and nice brides.

We went on another Medina walk. Well the mecca of all Medinas to be fair with over 9000 alleys this Medina was bigger than most small towns or cities and no way in hell are you going to find your way out without a guide. It was an amazing place and they had everything you could think of. Including the place where they dye the leather and all natural and still done the same way.

Next was Midelt as for the place itself wasn’t much to remember I’m afraid but had a great time in the mountains and got to see some wild monkey’s! And had lunch at a beautiful spot.

The next was the best part of the trip for me. Riding out into the Sahara desert on a camel and stay the night in a Berber camp. The ride was amazing and the light on the dunes in the early evening was amazing. But nothing compared to that night. When the fire died down and you fall asleep under the biggest and most beautiful blanket of stars I’ve seen in my life. It’s something I’ll truly never forget.







It was an early morning start as we rode back on our camels at sunrise. This only heightened an already amazing experience. And I thank me camel I named Bob for the ride home.

After that we headed to the Todra gorge know as Morocco’s grand Canyon.  A nice walk with massive cliffs 300 meters high.  The hotel that night was something everyone loved and felt like a large villa right next to the river and gorge was a peaceful oasis.

Next was Ait Benhaddou. This place was an amazing small fortified village. It’s also a place where movies like gladiator were filled because of the natural landscape and light. We climbed the village and got to the top where the wind changed from nice and calm to full fury and made wellington look like a tiny breeze combined with the sand made for me an exciting moment where you’re on a top of a hill and could easily be blown off was exhilarating.

We headed for Essaouira. This place was a nice change to the desert landscape and was a nice beachfront city. We had a chance to walk around and had many locals ask if we wanted “happy cookies” as seems to be the sell here. To be fair you get asked all the time everywhere in Morocco of you want some hash. But just refuse you’ll have more trouble than you bargain for if you do.

We got to look at the wharf and also the Medina here and was nice because we had a day to ourselves and we’re able to walk around our own pace. Unlike Fes which was a game of “keep up with the guide or be lost for all time”. One thing that’s come to mind is I haven’t mentioned food in a couple posts and it’s not cause any of the food has been bad but guess it’s slipped since doing so many awesome things.
In any case the main meals I loved here except for breakfast as it was all bread… (sound familiar Egypt) but back to the main meals and my favourite. Tagine. I’m pretty sure all I had for dinners were tagine and couldn’t get enough to of them. The best one I had was in Essaouira. Lamb pear and saffron. It was bloody amazing and combined with a saffron crème Brule was the best meal I had in Morocco.

To wrap up we headed back to Marrakech. Another nice city, it also highlighted for me the contrasts with the people of Morocco. In the bigger cities like Casablanca and Marrakech the people were ruthless in how they approached you for selling things and also begging. More than any other country I’ve been to. However as soon as you get out of the cities into the country or desert an things are simple the people are far more open and friendly.
The other thing is the language. Usually when you go to a foreign country you try to learn their main language. You’d think Arabic right? And in some areas of Morocco that’s true. Some areas though, it is more French or up north of Morocco, Spanish. It became a tad hard when you’re not sure to say. Hola, Marhabaan or Bonjour.

Again the Medina here was very nice. The square were they have open food stalls lined up felt very much like Ligon street in Melbourne, where you have everyone competing to get your business.

I loved just sitting here and enjoying the local food and watching the people. It was also brilliant at night and enjoy the mosque and the atmosphere.



The last day was spent going again through the Medina and the last meal with the group was in a restaurant that overlooked the mosque and was amazing view of so many people gathered outside in pray and to hear it was quite amazing.

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It’s been a interesting tour. To be honest if I was asked if I’d come back I’d have to say no at first. There was more things that didn’t go well and the only reason I haven’t written them is this has been a long enough novel as it is and best forgotten. But I feel I’ve seen what I needed to see and can look at other countries before coming back.

But if i was to come back. I would look at at a private tour or just get a car and go on a drive.

My next stop Croatia and my last tour. After that all bets are off as to what I do next. I still haven’t made up my mind. A lot has changed in the last couple months and I will have to figure out what I will do with myself and where I will go.