So. Morocco.

Fascinating, fascinating place and we were glad to share our few days in Morocco with friends Jamie and Tiffany and, not to gloat, but our riad was half the price and twice as good! = ) Riad Dar Ihssane if anyone's thinking of travel to Morocco any time soon.

Our first day in Morocco was spent being whisked to the tanneries (Morocco has a healthy leather trade). Interesting biz visiting a tannery and unbelievably smelly (well, believable I guess but I've certainly never experienced anything like it!). Ian bought himself a lovely leather satchel but cannot use it due to stinkiness. Tried to mask stench with Tiffany's peppermint oil but the result is kinda like toilet spray in a stinky loo......NOT nice. Then spent the afternoon exploring the medina and souks (shopping gone mad - and in a country that doesn't have a Christmas season. We didn't partake although we were certainly invited to - a thousand times). We also checked out the Museum de Marrakesh and a wonderfully restored old building previously used to teach Islam to young boys.

Bit of a lazy day the next day bar a visit to some lovely gardens outside of the medina and a visit to the bus station to buy tickets to.....

Essouira, which is a small city on the coast. The countryside between Marrakesh and the coast is mostly flat although in the distance we could see the picturesque snow-capped Atlas mountains. Essouira is a walled town with fortified ramparts that we spent some time walking along. We also enjoyed looking at the fabulous array of fishing vessels (while dodging seagull poo) before taking our lunch near the waterfront at some touristy cafe. Rest of the afternoon was spent having a quick look in the market and avoiding dodgy young fellows selling happy/magic/hash cakes.

Other highlight of our time in Morocco was the trip to the Atlas Mountains (although poor Ian caught Morocco Bot and couldn't join us). Most memorable bits included visiting a berber house, a herb and spice centre and a couple of pretty average waterfalls. Our driver, who enjoys his tobacco, often stopped the van so he could have a fag (and left us to be harangued by the good Moroccan folk who felt obliged to press us into buying their stuff - in the same manner of the good Moroccan folk in the medina). Very scenic though and the day was beautiful and clear. Wish Ian could have enjoyed it with us. Unfortunately Moroccan Bot is catchy but we're both on the road to recovery.