Off topic Morocco

[Bare bum]

Off to Marakech for 9 days after Crewe.
Any Shrimps Voicers got any good Atlas mountains, desert or any tips to pass on?

[pacman]

no never been but have just come back from mexico on honeymoon ,whilst there put in shr on internet and the only thing that came up was shrimpsvoices ,is there a big shrimps following at this hotel or has some other shrimps fan been to the blue bay

[Plain Peter]

Marrakesh is a magical place.
If you're going with your missus, then remember you are in an Arab country, and she should dress accordingly.
The approach and landing kicks it off. The plane spirals down like into a whirlpool.
The market place and big square is full of all sorts of weird activities, especially at night when all the food stalls get going.
Most of the fun isn't just for the tourists either, so stomach beware.
You can and probably will spend hours in the markets (souqs).
Quality souvenirs, but you need to bargain hard, and don't start if you don't plan to seal the deal.
It's like going back to the Middle Ages, the smells, the sights, the whole lot.
The narrow lanes go everywhere, and once you're sucked in you might have to pay a bob-or-two for a young local to get you out.
Go to the Tanneries, but you'll need a guide.
Get a locals bus out into the hills. Costs next to nowt.
Watch out for the horse and carts, they've got right of way, ie they don't stop!
Meals are cheap(ish). Try a tagine. Don't get ripped-off though.
Mint tea, luvverly, but tell the waiter you want to put the sugar in yourself
Booze isn't freely available, but you'll find it if you're determined.
When we went we started off with 3 days in Marrakesh, then did the following by train. Casablanca, sounds romantic, but it's a big port, and basically a sprawling shit-hole with a few good fish restaurants Then Fez, which is similar to Marrakesh and equally magical. Then the capital, Rabat on the Atlantic coast. Very colonial French and very relaxed. Then back to Marrakesh.
Parlez Francais? Morocco's a good place to practice

Before you go, get the Lonely Planet guide or similar from the library.

This time tomorrow me and Doris'll be on the way to Istanbul, another magical destination.

Enjoy.

[Plain Peter]

Couple of tips for Marrakesh airport.
You'll have to join a queue for your visa.
So the quicker you can get off the plane and into the terminal the quicker you'll get through.
There is a money changer afer you've got through immigration.
The rates are as good as in town.
A taxi into town isn't cheap, and you won't find a bus.

[burple]

no never been but have just come back from mexico on honeymoon ,whilst there put in shr on internet and the only thing that came up was shrimpsvoices ,is there a big shrimps following at this hotel or has some other shrimps fan been to the blue bay

yes I have been to the bluebay hotel in mexico last year

[Bare bum]

just before this gets out of hand, it's Morocco we're focusing on here chaps (chaplets and chappesses).

I think the Blue Bay Hotel thread is on Accyweb.

[durianmuncher]

I travelled around Morocco about 6 years ago and enjoyed it very much. The advice about your mrs covering up is good though as mine got non-stop hassle and was totally bemused by it all, and being Asian, she's darker than the Moroccans.

The highlight though, aside from the sights and markets, was drinking mint tea at the tea stalls everywhere. I've tried making mint tea lots of times since, but have never been able to get the same taste as the way it was made in Morocco.

[burple]

no never been but have just come back from mexico on honeymoon ,whilst there put in shr on internet and the only thing that came up was shrimpsvoices ,is there a big shrimps following at this hotel or has some other shrimps fan been to the blue bay

yes I have been to the bluebay hotel in mexico last year

did you say bluebay... I've been there

Really nice hotel, it has 2 swimming pools. these little golf buggy things to get you about on as it's that big. There is a Mexican, French, Chinese, couple of pool snack bars and a big buffet. Very very nice food.

Lots to see in the local area too Chichen itza was amazing and cenotes are worth visiting too

anything else you need just shout. I'm always happy to help

[marky No.1]

once you're sucked in you might have to pay a bob-or-two for a young local to get you out.

Did'nt know you had it in you Peter ..

Bare Bum ~ After Peter's explicit description you don't need to go on holiday now

[Plain Peter]

once you're sucked in you might have to pay a bob-or-two for a young local to get you out.

Did'nt know you had it in you Peter ..

I haven't.
It's Doris. She's always saying "...come on love, let's just go round the next corner!"
Bit like when I was in the RN.
I led from the front. My lads always followed me, but apparantly only out of curiosity

Once embedded in the souqs there are something like 12 exits, but about 600 dead-ends. The deeper you get the more authentic it gets, but by then you'll have lost the comfort of the company of other tourists, and feel slightly unnerved, and lost!
So it's best to hire a guide.
On the subjects of guides, there are good ones and crap ones.
Try and work out what sort of things you want to see, and make sure the guide understands what you want and expect - you are paying for it.
Otherwise you could spend half of your 3 hour tour in his cousins carpet shop!
I've got an house full of wonderful momentos of getting lost in Saudi Arabia
My middle name should be Hindsight

[marky No.1]

Once embedded in the souqs there are something like 12 exits, but about 600 dead-ends. The deeper you get the more authentic it gets, but by then you'll have lost the comfort of the company of other tourists, and feel slightly unnerved, and lost!
So it's best to hire a guide.

We got lost in the Bizaar in Istanbul. Amazing City but as you say don't leave the main track ~ you certainly would'nt get me there in the dark

Anyway back to Morocco....

[Keith]

I've got an house full of wonderful momentos of getting lost in Saudi Arabia
My middle name should be Hindsight

When do you get to Burma/Myanmar? That will be interesting to hear reports from. Just don't go swimming across lakes

And where are you now?

[marky No.1]

When do you get to Burma/Myanmar? And where are you now?

Come on Keith you're the admin.. Keep up!

Off to Istanbul next month for a week of culture and kebabs.
Then to Myanmar (Burma) for the whole of February.

[Plain Peter]

When do you get to Burma/Myanmar? That will be interesting to hear reports from. Just don't go swimming across lakes

February. You will. Thanks, If I'm in doubt about owt I let Doris lead these days.

And where are you now?

At home. But this time tomorrow I could well be lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

[marky No.1]

But this time tomorrow I could well be lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

If you possibly see a Turkish man there can you tell him my quality watch has stopped working!! Buy 1 get 9 free I think it was

[Posh]

At home. But this time tomorrow I could well be lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

That's not the best one to go to though. If you go through the main entrance back on to the main road, go about 400 yards down and then there is a narrow alley next to the Hotel Ankara. Walk for about 200 yards until it opens into a beautiful enclosed market courtyard. There are loads of food stalls - for example, one just sells custard, one sells little sugary bits for decoration, one sells jelly, one sells sponge. It's a Trifle Bazaar.

[Keith]

...one just sells custard, one sells little sugary bits for decoration, one sells jelly, one sells sponge. It's a Trifle Bazaar.

noooooo... for goodness sake, someone get his coat!

[Plain Peter]

...is a narrow alley next to the Hotel Ankara.

Unbelievably, there doesn't appear to be an Hotel Ankara in Istanbul.
So I'll not go and get lost looking for it

[chipbuns]

watch out for the people who try to sell you stuff! they are found in the most random of places and they will not give up until you leav with something. also hotel staff like baggage clerks will expect tips and are known for hanging around for a while until they get one.

[Plain Peter]

Just crawled out of my pit.
Driving to Gatwick in an hour.
Bobby's not done that journey before.
So hope he knows where he's going.
Might go Whirling Dervishes tonight.
Definately see a bit belly-dancing................


























....even if it's only Doris' at bedtime

[Plain Peter]

Just got back.
Istanbul is an awesome place.
Lovely, genuinely friendly people.
Hardly scratched the surface in a week.
Inexpensive, so long as you avoided the tourist traps.
A bit weird having breakfast in Europe, lunch in Asia, and then back to Europe for tea.
And all that separates the continents is a road bridge over the Bosphorus.
Excellent flight with Easy Jet.

[George Dawes]

watch out for the people who try to sell you stuff! they are found in the most random of places and they will not give up until you leav with something. also hotel staff like baggage clerks will expect tips and are known for hanging around for a while until they get one.

Ive learnt with them sort when your browsing about just make out you dont understand/speak English and that your from Belgium, shrug your shoulders then walk off

[Bradford_Shrimp]

Have a good time Bare Bum. Accept no less than 20 camels for Ms BB!

My only useful tip...from a professional perspective...don't get too close to a camels front end...they can spit with unerring accuracy.