Thank you very much for the well organized tour; from our tour enquiry to the time we left Morocco — well organized administration. Thank you very much for such 5 star services. I will sum up the Morocco trip as “being there, done that and Experienced It! *****
The experience started on a flat note due to transit visa mishaps, on our part, and having to arrive a day later that scheduled. Nevertheless, upon arrival Youssef was sympathetic of our misfortune and got us right into the mood the experience the richness that Morocco has got to offer. And it started in the Hassan II mosque, which is humongous in everything. And I thought the architect is out of this world, especially the roof. I would not mind that piece of roof art in my own dwelling.
The experience of Fes was the highlight of the trip for me, especially the medina experience under the knowledgeable guidance of Ali. How his mental GPS navigated though the narrow streets, and his friendliness to us and the dwellers in the walled community was amazing. The hand craftiness of the of the medina community makes the entire community’s macro economy run like a clock work; from lock smith, to fabric dyers, the butchers to baker man, the leather men to carpenters and the Berber carpet makers; not forgetting the very tall tea man. The medina has a unique system that harmoniously works together for the multitude of people living in it and Ali was amazing in unpacking that system for us. Ali for Fes medina President!
A drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis took us back the memory lane, and it seems every stone or mosaic portrait was crafted for a reason. A drive up the Atlas Mountains and a descent towards the Sahara desert to Erfoud offer some spectacular view of the Moroccan landscapes, the many oasis packed with Dates trees.
The dream finally came true; that one day one will plant his foot in the Sahara Desert sand dunes. We were lucky that it was not that hot and not wind when we arrived. The camel ride up and down the dunes was one of the highlight in the top shelf of our experience. And the camel guide was very fascinated to have had to guide his fellow Africans from the south most tip of the Mother continent. Even though we were freezing in the morning in the dessert, the sun rise view was more than spectacular to warm us up. It was worth it to Experience both the sun set and the sun rise. The missing element of the Experience was a board that could be used to sand surf down the sand dunes, or should I say tumble down the dunes. Thanks to the staff and the tents for their warm hospitality, especially Fatima.
Enter the fast-pace city of Marrakech. It is all hassle hassle in that city. It was quite different to that laid back Fes and reminded us of Johannesburg; I guess that is what makes it unique. In anyhow the riad, Riad Alida, that we stayed in literally zoned out the hassle hassle effect of the city. It was spectacularly decorated and the Jacuzzi made it stand. We toured the palace of the Bahai (some kings are very very lucky – that is all I can say), and the medina and the Djemaael-Fna square to charm the cobras – some people are really putting their life at risk to earn a living.
Over all it was a very well laid out trip and an experience that well cherish for a very long time. the places that we stayed in were very nice, except for that Anfa hotel in Cassablanca- I think they should be downgraded to ¼ of a star. To Yousef , our driver, thank you very much for your hospitality, for your safe driving, for showing us the beauty of morocco and the hidden jewels that we could get all that good, very good food. You are a true gentleman.
Ntlaletseng Oct 2010