Chaos, a word that often appears to be negative. However, in Morocco that can be totally different- and in fact, our ITM students have just returned from their annual trip to Morocco!
In the coming blogs, let’s explore different cities in Morocco!
Things to aware
喺摩洛哥，3月開始就進入適合旅遊嘅天氣，一直至6月，每個城市嘅氣溫會喺25至35度徘徊
值得注意嘅係，由3月中開始為期30日，會係當地嘅齋戒月時分。唔少店舖同景點既開放又或者係營業時間都會有所影響，可能係遲開或者係早收（雖然遊客設施基本上無特別大影響，但都要注意返）
撒哈拉沙漠嘅話當然再熱啲，但因為沙漠溫差大嘅特性，夜晚都會凍翻唔少，跌到落20度以下。有風嘅時候體感溫度會再低啲，可以好好利用洋蔥式穿搭
6月打後嘅時間就會開始進入真。夏天，溫度可以直升40度以上，喺沙漠甚至有機會升至55度，營地嘅冷氣基本上都係形同虛設。真係好怕熱嘅話，記得避開呢啲時間，又或者係帶把芭蕉扇同幾包冰感濕紙巾
貨幣方面，迪拉姆 Dirham (DH/MAD) 係摩洛哥嘅官方貨幣。但由於係非流通貨幣，所以只有到埗嘅時候先可以喺當地換。
換完嘅時候記住留翻張單，喺走嘅時候就可以用同一匯率換翻原先嘅貨幣 👍🏿 值得一提嘅係，海外提款卡喺摩洛哥每日限額為2000DH（外加20-35DH手續費不等），但喺機場就可以攞最多3000DH （唔清楚係唔係4000都得，留翻比大家確認）
去摩洛哥旅行，大多數人都會喺Casablanca或者Marrakech出發，兩地相隔一個鐘車程。根據大家嘅時間同preference可以揀順時針或逆時針行進，以下係地圖作參考
Now, buckle up and prepare to delve into the beauty of Marrakech!
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Marrakech
Nestled in the heart of Morocco, Marrakech is a city that captivates the senses and leaves an indelible mark on all who visits. From its bustling souks (outdoor market) to its colorful and vibrant streets and palaces.
The Jewel of the Medina
Right at the heart of Marrakech lies its historic Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of energy and liveliness (well, some might call it chaos or noise).
As you step in the souk, you will see countless shops selling Moroccan rugs, fragrant spices or souvenirs like mosaic plate, magnets and for sure, postcards
Similar to Venice, there are lots of alleyways, where you will highly like lose your sense of direction.
However, prepare to encounter beggars around the corners, aggressive vendors and random guide walking up offering guiding service and asking for tips as you wander around the streets.
(P: but there’s nothing a kind smile and a solid no couldn’t conquer!
There are actually more, but let’s save them for favoring up the next blog!
Culinary Delight
There are plenty of traditional food in every city, but I’ll save it for one t blog post so let’s do only restaurant recommendations for now!
Best Tanjia-
Tanjia, like tajine, is the name for both the dish your meal will be prepared in and the name of the food itself. It is only meat; the chicken or lamb is prepared in an individual pot with spices in the morning and then slow-cooked in a public hammam firepit for about six hours, then poured onto your plate. This dish, unlike the tajine, is a specialty only found in Marrakech.
For the brave at heart! This is our only street food listing, and it is a truly authentic dining experience. Best Tanjia is a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant for locals about four minutes away from the riad and their menu only includes tanjia and beans (‘lubia’ in Arabic). Nobody speaks English and there are no written prices, but you can expect to pay 50dh for a lamb or chicken tanjia with a side of beans and a cup of tea. Open from 11:30am-3pm.
Nomad-
Another one of our favorites; this three-story restaurant is located in the heart of the Spice Square, about 10 minutes walking from the riad. It boasts gorgeous minimalistic Moroccan design and is home to a fabulous fruit and lamb tajine. The best part about this restaurant is terrace view; snag a table on the rooftop and order your favorite Moroccan dish while watching the chaos of the Spice Square unfold from above, or move yourself further on the second floor, looking at the busy street through their window and provides an air-conditioned birds-eye view. Mid-range prices, no reservation necessary (ok unless busier than usual)
Bacha coffee-
My personal favorite! The Dar El Bacha Museum, or Musée des Confluences as it is called by our French counterparts, is a palace-turned-museum located about seven minutes walking from the riad and two minutes walking from Apartment Chebakia. It boasts the fanciest café that we have ever seen called Bacha Coffee, which offers over 200 types of single-origin coffee beans, expertly roasted, prepared, and served up in ornate golden pots alongside towers of delicacies to choose from. But be warned! They do not accept reservations, and the line for the café can last for two hours. Here is the best way to experience the café and the museum:
Go early-ish (the café opens at 10; get there at 9:30), and when you get to the ticket booth for the museum buy two tickets per person: the museum ticket (70dh) and the café ticket (10dh).
Go immediately to the café with your tickets and put your name on the wait list; they will give you a buzzer, and you can keep this with you while perusing the gardens, networks of palace rooms, and historical artifacts and presentations of the museum. With some luck, your buzzer will go off just as you are finished with your perusal, and you can treat yourself to the best coffee you will have in Morocco. Otherwise, join the hordes of disgruntled tourists sitting on the steps in the palace gardens (there is limited seating), smell the orange blossoms, and wait your turn.
喺摩洛哥，一定要體驗下佢哋嘅Riad先叫做真正地感受過當地嘅文化！
Riad係摩洛哥由古老房屋改建嘅一種傳統建築形式，內含大量傳統文化元素。
基本上大家上酒店網或者airbnb都會見到一大堆，今次我就上咗bnb揀！有別於大多其他嘅地方，喺摩洛哥即使係airbnb大多都會包早餐，每日都食到當地傳統嘅omelette同pastries，再配翻杯咖啡同薄荷茶😋
大家只要根據對地點價錢同配備上嘅要求，選擇翻啱自己心水嘅就可以
Things to do
Wandering is not enough fun, let’s look for more fun. Go on a hot air balloon and create yourself some long-lasting memories! From Marrakech, don’t forget to also join a hot air balloon tour, go quad biking, camel riding or join a cooking class! Simply ask your hotel, or you may find plenty of resources for that from your airbnb host, on Klook, Get your Guide and sort
同時，街上面都有大量嘅agency，但唔保證質素都係好，所以記得睇清楚問清楚先好報名比錢呀
Trip to Sahara Desert
As one of the gateways to Sahara, you can take a bus or find yourself an agency to plan a tour to Sahara!
The price for those tours vary greatly, depending on the length, route and accommodation they provide. Some of them can be quite friendly but will be staying in a shared tent where there is no shower even. Some can be quite expensive but then you may live in a luxury tent, having hot shower music performance and quality dinner!
But for now, let’s not overwhelm ourselves and save some for the next!
