Tales of our Travels: Day 10 - Driving to Marrakesh

Our guide Khalid was ready with car at 8:30am so off we went on the long road trip to Marrakesh. Our first stop was the town of Ifrane which could be described as the "Collingwood" of Morocco. Situated high up in the Atlas Mountains, it's a popular skiing spot for those who love winter sports.

More Swiss than Moroccan!

Morocco is a country of geographical contrasts. Many people have a mental picture of Morocco as all sand and oases with palm trees but in fact it's quite different. . One moment you're in dry arid countryside and then an hour later you can find yourself in deeply forested mountains - see photo below.

The first half of the route to Marrakesh is all windy roads and Carl soon fell victim to car sickness. Thanks to a quick stop at a pharmacy in a small town, we have gravol and he's now feeling better.

We're passing through lots of small villages and towns - some certainly more prosperous than others. Lots of sheep and goat herds everywhere. Have spotted the occasional camel.

Arrived in Marrakesh - hot and tired - a 10 hour trip! Got stopped for speeding even though Khalid was being very careful. He didn't notice the reduction to 80k and was nailed. Numerous speed traps the entire way. In Morocco you don't bother to try and talk your way out of a ticket - the police are quite authoritarian so useless to argue.

As we approached the city, almost every form of transportation began to fill the roads - trucks, cars, mules/donkeys pulling carts, people riding mules, 3 wheeled bike trucks, motor bikes, bicycles - but all manage somehow to share the road. Very chaotic but Khalid, who is from Marrakesh, got us to our hotel. We're staying for 3 nights at La Maison Arabe - beautiful hotel with a lovely view from our room- see below - note proximity to minaret tower - we'll be rising with the call to prayers at 7am!