  | Final day - Marrakech, Morocco 11:20 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "Final day" to his destination "Marrakech, Morocco". | I am pleased to report that I succeeded in buying things in Marrakech without having to go through the tedious process of haggling. The tedious processs that inevitably works in favour of the blaggers as they are content to spend all day holding out to agree an inflated price.
There is a government-baked artisan centre that sells everything at a fixed price. I am sure I paid a slight premium over the minimum a desperate blagger might sell at, especially as I bought numerous ... |
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  | Essaouira - Essaouira, Morocco 11:17 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "Essaouira" to his destination "Essaouira, Morocco". | This morning's trip to Essaouira began with a 3 hour wait for my bus. I wasn't too put out as I'm reading Richard Dawkins' 'God Delusion' which is doing a good job of distracting me from this wretched city. More slating later in this entry.
Two and a half hours later I arrived at the seaside town of Essaouira on the West coast of Morocco. As I so often do in new towns, I put my map into my back pocket and went for a random wander; on this occasion I got m... |
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| Back to Marrakech - Marrakech, Morocco 11:12 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "Back to Marrakech" to his destination "Marrakech, Morocco". | I had big things planned today: immersing myself into the Moroccan way by wandering around the Medina and exploring the back alleys of Marrakech. Huh huh, more back alley references...
Following a mammoth 12 hour sleep I visited the Marjorelle Gardens which is a very distinctive private garden, turned monument to Yves Saint Laurent. Much of the buildings are painted in a vibrant cobalt blue (I believe it is called Marjorelle Blue). There are numerous clay flower pots all... |
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| Desert Trip 3 - Merzouga, Morocco 11:11 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "Desert Trip 3" to his destination "Merzouga, Morocco". | Whoever said it is hot in the desert is talking shit; it is freezing. And because we are basically outside and mostly not moving it feels almost dangerously cold. Imagine falling asleep and waking up shivering - and that is whilst wearing thermals, coat and gloves.
I'm the only person here without a partner so I had to make do with the 2 blankets. No one else to, errr, rub up against.
Today will involve driving back to Marrakech. It will take approx 10 hours. |
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| Desert Trip 2 - Merzouga, Morocco 11:09 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "Desert Trip 2" to his destination "Merzouga, Morocco". | Early start at 7:30am. Breakfast consisted of cake (with bread, natch). We drove through desert, serene and peaceful it may be whilst being done, it doesn't make for good blogging.
Lunch was Omelette a la Berbere (vegetable omelette in a tagine). Bits of the dish were uncooked, so doubtlessly a bout of Salmonella is on its way - what was I thinking? Although I should give credit where it is due: the food has been great, and I am still on solids. If you kn... |
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| Desert Trip 1 - Merzouga, Morocco 11:05 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "Desert Trip 1" to his destination "Merzouga, Morocco". | It will take 2 days to reach the Sahara desert. Rather than just making a mad, uncomfortable dash for le plage, we will visit a few sights along the way.
To keep the trip economically viable, I am joining an existing party made up of 4 couples. Apart from the last 2 who were more mature, they were all 25ish:
2x Bratwursts (pretended to be a Sommelier and a Pianist when coming through customs - further evidence that Germans do have a sense of humour)
2... |
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| False Start - Fareham, United Kingdom 10:49 26th February 2009 Tom added the Blog "False Start" to his destination "Fareham, United Kingdom". | A side effect of traveling on a shoe-string, is that sometimes one's travel or accommodation arrangements don't go to plan. This won't be of surprise to anyone who has done the weirdy-beardy-tie-dye-traveling thing. And with my trip to Marrakech my first tentative venture into Africa, I could expect there to be problems somewhere on the way.
However, one might hope the problems would begin once I land on the bloody continent, not when I step out o... |
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