Welcome to Morocco - Hello Marrakech!

Arriving in Marrakech was like stepping into another world. It was almost impossible to believe that we were only a short (made to feel a lot longer by screaming children right behind us) three hour flight away from London.

We were picked up at the airport by a driver from the ‘Riad’ that we were staying in, and driven right into the heart of the old town – or Medina. The first thing that struck us was how unbelievably out of place we felt. More than anywhere else that either of us have ever been, we felt very very white and very very Western. From those first few moments, we knew that this was not going to be anything like the average European holiday, which was both quite exciting, and a tad nerve racking.

We checked into our Riad – a house centred around an open courtyard and frequently converted into B&B style accommodation. We were served some mint tea, otherwise known as Moroccan whiskey, on the roof top terrace before making our way into the heart of the Medina.

Marrakech is basically an ancient maze-like labyrinth of winding laneways that all eventually lead to a huge centre square. The laneways are chocka-block full of small local traders selling Moroccan goods, while the square buzzes with street performers, more traders, and food stalls.

A few highlights from our three days in Marrakech…

> Spent heaps of time exploring the markets, or ‘Souks’ (more to come on that later!)

> Saw the Bahia Palace, built in the 19^th century for a former slave who became a hot shot royal advisor – it was everything that we imagined to be classic Moroccan architecture…and more. It was beautiful, and we would happily set up home in there!

> The ruined El Badi Palace – a huge space, and would have been most impressive back in its hey day.

> Ben Youssef Medursa – a Koranic school where up to 800 students lived and learnt the Koran by rote. It was built in the 14^th Century by the ‘Black Sultan’. No surface has been left undecorated…with a stunning array of zellij tile work, carved wood and stuccowork. Coolest dorm rooms we’ve ever seen!