Day 8 - Trip to Morocco

The next day we set off for Morocco. Michael was not too keen on going, he thought we may end up in a 3rd world country not knowing how to get around, getting stuck, or getting in some sort of trouble. But I am always up for an adventure so was quite excited to do it. When Penny arranged a tour guide to meet us the following day and take us around in a minivan, Michael was a lot happier, especially since the tour guide had come recommended. We set out for the one and a half hour drive to the ferry, and then the 45 minute trip in the ferry across the Meditteranean, there was customs to go through and passport control too, which made everything quite an ordeal, but straightforward nonetheless. We arrived in Morocco and clocks where 1 hour earlier than Spain, which scored us a bit of time. We met our tour operator, but he told us he had already been booked by a group of Americans a few weeks earlier so he had planned another tour guide for us. We hopped in the minivan, and off we went, we picked up our tour operator on the way.
On the ferry, I didn't dare go up to the top for fear of sea sickness.
The first place we drove to was this light house. It is at the point where the Med and Atlantic ocean meet, but what was surprising for us was the trip there. We had expected to see abject poverty all around, but our first part of the drive was past the Beverly Hills of Morocco, past the King of Morocco's palace, which was nothing short of magnificent, and huge, the walls just went on and on. We then went passed the houses of many oil sheiks, it is difficult to imagine that these people have sooo much wealth. What I wouldn't have given just for a peek inside their palaces.
This is a picture of Abdul. He was a really sweet guy, and spent a lot of attention on the children.
The children had been excited for days about the prospect of a camel ride. I had thought it would be an overated experience, but as soon as we sat on the camels, it was quite a thrill, we were all in fits of laughter.


Ciara got hoisted up too.
We all by this time desperately needed the toilet, and Abdul took us to a spectacular hotel to use their toilets. He walked in as if he owned the place, but I'm not sure we were even allowed to be there. The views over the Atlantic are spectacualar, a perfect honeymoon spot.

Once we were back in the van and on our way, we were again amazed at the houses, such huge and beautiful houses, each one with its own style of architecture, we were surprised to see so much wealth, but not far from the houses were the typical delapidated houses of third world Africa.
Next stop was a Moroccan restaurant for lunch. This was the entrance to the restaurant, which did not prepare us for what we were about to see.
The decor inside was simply splendid, so much detail throughout the room.
The ceilings were made of engraved cedar wood.
Niamh checking out the waiter.
Wait a minute, here is a menu I cannot read, what is this language!!!
Shortly after we had sat down, the musicians entered to play especially for us. They wasted no time in inviting the children up to play with them, but only Niamh had the nerve to go up and join them.
She really got into playing the drums, we have this on video, so will try and upload it soon.
The tables in the restaurant, it felt more like lounging than sitting.
Eden observing another waiter, he was bringing the starter of soup, which the children so enjoyed.
Round 2, and the whole family except for mom are up on the stage playing, the music was really catchy. For lunch I had a plate of couscous with Moroccon style vegetables and raisins on top, so tasty. Mike and the children had a traditional chicken style pancake pie with cinammon and icing sugar on the outside, kind of sweet and savoury, all served with loads of Moroccan bread. Abdul then ordered us their well known after dinner drink, mint tea. It was more like mint syrup served in glasses, and was surely the sweetest thing I think I have ever tasted, far too sweet for my liking.
Next trip was to the market, we had to walk through the streets to get there.
The first market stall was the spice stand, I would love to have bought some from here, but we had spent most of the money we had brought with on the lovely lunch.
The market(medina) was extremely colourful and lively, and of course I would have loved to have spent hours here, but we had half an hour to get back to the ferry, so it was quite a rush from here on.
Michael ended up saying to Abdul that he would like to buy a rug. Abdul very quickly led us to the right shop, and they pulled out many of the ones that Michael liked. Eventually one caught Mikes eye, I do wish I had the photo of Mike haggling with this man. For a huge pure wool rug, he started out at 380 Euros(which I gasped out in shock to - which I think may have helped in the bargaining :), but eventuallty Mike got him down to 250 Euros, a fine price for a pure woolen handwoven detailed rug. And after that we returned to the ferry and were back in Spain after a whirlwind tour of Morocco.