A walk on the beach, then on to Marrakech
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2009
1
34
41
Trip End
Mar 19, 2009
Marrakech,
Morocco
Friday, March 13, 2009
Went back and checked out, then the 3 of us and AJ headed off to hire bikes for a ride. Even though we had organised it the day before, the bikes weren't ready and we stood at the shop, then at the medina gate, then at the garage waiting for them to get some bikes ready for us. Finally gave up about 10:45 as the bikes they'd brought us were in really bad condition (flat tyres, no brakes etc).
Mike and I walked through the markets again and I found some cushion covers I liked, then we walked along the length of the beach - right up to the end where they do camel rides met AJ up there as well)
Seagulls and fog
. When we came back, we collected my diary and went and ate lunch (at our favourite cafe with Aussie Mike), then to the cafe that Abdul had told us about to try their hot chocolate which was so thick it was just like drinking (or eating) melted chocolate. Very decadent but very nice. We sat there for ages (I had a cappuccino and wrote in my journal). We were eventually joined by Abdul, English Mike and AJ, and headed back to the hotel about 2:30. Collected our bags (this time loaded them onto a cart so we didn't have to carry them) and walked to the bus station outside the medina. Our bus was already there and left right on time at 3:30. We stopped once at a cafe for snacks and toilet stops, and apart from the drivers continual overtaking (not always safely) it was a good trip and we arrived in Marrakech in about 3 hours. Loaded our backpacks etc and walked a couple of blocks to our hotel.
Very surprised to see that it was really nice - they saved the best accommodation for last! Checked in, had a quick shower, then we all walked about 40 mins to the Djemaa el-Fna, the main square of Marrakech. The noise and activity happening her was amazing - people everywhere, entertainers with crowds around them, and then we came to the food stalls. These are set up every night and the food is cooked and served to you right there. We had a selection of food brought out to us - bread, olives, dips, fish, kebabs, couscous. It was just an overwhelming experience to be sitting there. After eating, we headed over and bought fresh orange juice each (3dhs) then walked back to the hotel again. First night in ages that we had plenty of space to spread out, and were even able to watch TV.
