Just come back from Morocco, thanks for all the info` on here.

[Dwaine Dibbley]

Hi,

Just wanted to say thanks for all the info` on here, i have just come back from my first trip to Morocco, and all the tips and information, especially the link to the 3 part forms to fill in before you go.

I went on my own, on my 1150, no problems at all, just used common sense.

I spent one of the nights in a hotel within the medina in Fes, and saw all the different coloured pots at the tannery, that sticks in my mind because i used to have a book full of aerial photos taken throughout the world of interesting sights, and all the different coloured pots of dye was one of them.

The weather down through Spain, and back wasn`t particularly great, but for the last two days i headed for the Picos mountains area, absolutely stunning, very impressed.

If you are thinking of going, just do it!

Anyhow, thanks for the tips.

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

come on lets av em

 

[Steptoe]

Glad you enjoyed it. And as you now know it's pretty much the same as europe. Hotels on every corner, restaurants on every street, supermarkets in every town and petrol stations all over.

I can't understand all the fretting and worrying that you often read.

 

[Selous]

mm made me jealous I am going end of sept, so i miss ramajam

 

[motoreiter]

And as you now know it's pretty much the same as europe...I can't understand all the fretting and worrying that you often read.

I just got back as well, also had no problems and enjoyed it very much. As for being like Europe, well perhaps an alternate Europe without wine or beer...

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

I just got back as well, also had no problems and enjoyed it very much. As for being like Europe, well perhaps an alternate Europe without wine or beer...

Ok I have only just started planning for my tour in 2011, and the research hasn't extended to food and drink yet, but please oh please don't tell me you can't get beer in Morocco!!!!

 

[Hexme]

Ok I have only just started planning for my tour in 2011, and the research hasn't extended to food and drink yet, but please oh please don't tell me you can't get beer in Morocco!!!!

Mmmmm beer..... or Gin

 

[motoreiter]

...but please oh please don't tell me you can't get beer in Morocco!!!!

OK, I'm exaggerating slightly. Many, but not all, hotels that cater to foreigners will have beer/wine. But restauraunts/cafes, nope, although I found a couple that would provide beer if you were willing to sit in a corner inside, in the back.

Also not easy to find stores that sell the stuff to pack with you. There is a seperate thread in this forum on that topic.

I know it's a muslim country and all, but i was surprised how hard it was to find alchohol. Luckily, I brought some wine and cigars with me from Spain.

 

[stolzy]

I'm in Marrakech right now staying here (a softer option, I'd say). With a mild hangover after a bit of a sesh on the hotel bar last night.

They definitely serve alcohol here

 

[Hexme]

I'm in Marrakech right now staying here (a softer option, I'd say). With a mild hangover after a bit of a sesh on the hotel bar last night.

They definitely serve alcohol here

Wow that is nice

 

[Steptoe]

I'm in Marrakech right now staying here (a softer option, I'd say). With a mild hangover after a bit of a sesh on the hotel bar last night.

They definitely serve alcohol here

There's actually a pub in marrakesh. It even does cheese toasties

 

[Fanum]

There's actually a pub in marrakesh. It even does cheese toasties

There are 4 pubs that I know of, and as of last year, a British themed pub, called 'The Pub', half way down Av Moh VI

We went in there in March for a swift one on the way to eat, and stood there feeling embarrassed to be English

As for alcohol elsewhere, there are very few towns that you cant get beer or wine...supermarkets have alcohol sections exactly like any European supermarket (and they sell bacon, ham and all manner of pork product) and in smaller towns, there's nearly always a 'hole in te gate' type place where you can buy beer or wine...it's just a matter of knowing what to look out for to find them.

 

[stolzy]

Wow that is nice

It is, but fortunatly i'm not paying prices are scary

 

[simondippenhall]

It is, but fortunatly i'm not paying prices are scary

Master Cullis and I rode our GSs up to the front door of La Mamounia about 4 or 5 years ago, before the big refurb it has had. Even then, we (or at least, I) felt a bit out of place!

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

It is, but fortunatly i'm not paying prices are scary

Bait & hook you have got me now. How much is a night there ??

 

[Baz]

Bait & hook you have got me now. How much is a night there ??

Click on the link, prices are on there. Was thinking of treating SWMBO in a week or so but not at those prices I'll find a riyad near the square instead.

 

[Barley-Mow]

First impressions

I came back at the beginning of May having also completed my first visit, solo and on an ageing (like its owner) 1100RT. I visited Asilah and Moulay Idriss, having decided to steer clear of the tourist hot-spots and try to get under the skin of the real, everyday place. It's only like Europe up to a point, and that, probably is largely due to its French/Spanish colonial history. I made a conscious decision not to take alcohol while there out of respect for the Country, and I think that speaking passable French and a bit of Spanish helped a lot, though I really wish I could speak and read Arabic.

Though it's an Islamic country I didn't find it officiously so, and even in the shrine town of Moulay Idriss things were very relaxed. The lifestyle is very different - they are not blessed with shop-fronts, high streets and other European delights ('elf & safety for example), there is a very strong sense that they get on with the basics of life in any way they can using common sense and living largely by their wits. Life is quite hard, but I didn't find real poverty, and markets, for example, were full of fresh produce. They don't throw much away though, and most things can be used, re-used, fixed and fixed again many many times.

Everyone was polite, and if you said "bonjour" or "hola" to anyone young or old you would always get an answer and perhaps strike up a conversation. Everywhere appears run down and dirty at first but when you get used to it, it's really just that they're not obsessed with Cillit-Bang culture and have other things to do. The Grands Taxi drivers of course couldn't comprehend this mad Englishman who actually wanted to walk down to Volubilis in the hot sun !

I met some interesting people and really came away, particularly from Moulay Idriss, feeling that I was at home there and could go back any time and be welcome. I think this was partly because I didn't just rush through, but spent a few days there and just took things easy, and was able to talk to people a bit. But for example, one day I went into a small cafe for a mint tea. While I awaited its arrival, two local couples in their Sunday best (yes it was a Sunday) at another table who were having a lunch of bread and bananas insisted first that I must share their mint tea, then that I must share their lunch. I didn't know them from Adam.

I seemed to gel with the Father of the family who run Dar Zerhoune, where I stayed, and with him I had the pleasure of several evening wanders while he told me a bit about the town and the area, usually ending up at his favourite cafe for a mint tea and some sweet date pancakes and watching the evening paseo.

Even the Policeman on the 1150RT who I saw in my mirror rapidly approaching on the motorway, as he passed, contrived to stand on his pegs, turn to face behind and give me a cheery smile and a wave as he sped past - and all without falling off !

So I haven't covered much ground, but, ordinary though they are, I like the places I've been a lot and the people I've met. They have something we've lost. I hope tourism doesn't destroy it.