RU  UK  EN
Статьи  >  Write  >  We were there: Morocco - a wonderful country

We were there: Morocco - a wonderful country

Автор: 07.02.2022 | we were there, Morocco
Local open-air markets start working in the evenings. No house can avoid insects. Inhabitants almost learned how to be friends with snakes. On top of it, imagine, they do not dream of the sea! The Ukrainian SMM expert Anna Funt, who spent an unforgettable vacation there, shared with us her impressions about all the subtleties of the Kingdom of Morocco.

It is an unusual experience to find an accommodation in Morocco. It is difficult to book rooms in the local hotels, as there is no internet or even telephone. However, you can easily manage it without reservation, since there is no inrush of tourists. Yet, it is better to stay in Moroccan hotels in the city centre. It is called medina - the old city. This is a winding maze of narrow streets and low two-storey houses. Inside medina, there are always some small, so-called home-based hotels, which cost peanuts. That is, you arrive, find medina, identify a hotel there and just check in - and you will be always successful. I was in Fez, Marrakesh and in several smaller towns, and there were no problems with finding an accommodation.

In Morocco, different cities have a different way of life. For instance, Fez is a kind of transit point for travellers, since it has an airport. Accordingly, the tourist life is active there; the city is small, very compact and old. There are many ancient houses, traditional souqs...

At the same time, for example, Rabat (the capital) means huge hotels, luxury restaurants, and business centres. Rabat is more a business hub for those who deal with business affairs; this is a political and cultural destination. That is, big cities are closer to civilization. Still, in many countries, whatever they are, the more developed the city, the more city people are culturally influenced by other countries.IMG_3591.jpgPhoto heartmybackpack.com

Small towns offer scanty entertainments. In Fez, we walked at night, and there was no movement around. While the souq was working, life was in full swing. Then trading closed, and all the activities immediately disappeared from the streets. Of course, you can get to know the locals. We communicated with them, came to visit, and looked how they live there, how they design their homes. What was striking, huge cockroaches run around inside residential houses, these insects can reach size of two matchboxes. Coming to Moroccans’ house, visitors have to take off their shoes. There was an accident when a cockroach ran into my slipper. This is a very unpleasant experience. Nevertheless, you have to be understanding: due to local climate, there are many insects, everything grows big.

The beaches are not well maintained and clean. Mostly wild beaches. Moroccans do not really need them, and they are not eager to attract tourists. There are very few places, mostly territories of hotels, where tourists or the local elite relax. I wouldn’t say that they have a culture of visiting beach, swimming or something else like that. Let’s take Sri Lanka, where all the locals love to go to the beaches. Africans are much more reluctant about it, although there is both a port and a beach zone.

In Morocco, English is poorly spoken. They have their own language, plus French as an echo of the colonial past. Young people can speak English a bit. For them, this is the prospect of going to Europe. So, I advise you to learn a few basic phrases in French before you travel to Morocco.WTMI-morocco-walking-hiking-tour-8.jpgPhoto backroads.com

In Morocco, there is an interesting approach to taxi service. There are green cars driving around the city, and this is not even a real taxi, but I would say, some public taxi. That is, you go out, you flag a taxi, and join a couple of passengers, and everyone is taken in turn to their destinations.

Places of attraction

First, Morocco is a kingdom. Accordingly, they have palaces open to visitors. Always in such countries, kings have very beautiful, luxurious residences, and the part exhibited for sightseeing tours is especially interesting. Everything expresses the local way of life, the cultural characteristics of the country: arches, mosaics, fountains of extraordinary beauty. In addition, these complexes in Morocco are designed to create an oasis in the middle of the heat. So you can go there even when it is boiling hot.

The second attraction is the mosques. Of course, women are not allow to enter all of them, there are also spaces open to the public, especially old mosques that have become a kind of cultural centres. Here people come to communicate, hold some events, etc.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important sights of Morocco is the Sahara. You can safely come to the desert as part of organized tours, and even go on your own. This is impressive. Just keep in mind: to visit the mighty desert you need to take more time - half a day, or even a whole day.Rabat000.jpgPhoto blueswandaily.com

There are also museums in Morocco. Mostly local history. Although they are not an exciting place to visit.

A special type of Moroccan attractions is the maritime ones: atmospheric ports, fortresses. The nautical sights have been developed from time immemorial - colonialists, the shipment of goods, etc. Thus, the coastal zones of cities are well developed, which gives an interesting stratification of cultures that are very different from their main part.

I also incredibly enjoyed the trip to Monkey Park. It is so cool - huge and organized in interesting way! It is, in fact, a jungle, in which there are many various animals. Moreover, this is not a safari or a nature reserve, but a natural park with all kinds of wildlife. Nevertheless, its main inhabitants are monkeys. There are a great many of them, and they are accustomed to tourists, so you are guaranteed to have a memorable communication with monkeys.

A separate unique attraction in the cities of Morocco is medina, the old city. The legend has it, that it was built in a maze on purpose, so that only locals could navigate through the streets. In case of enemies attack the city, they were simply lost in these back streets and could not find a way out. It is clear that getting lost in these streets is easy.northern-morocco-tour0.jpgPhoto atlasberberetravel.com

Cover photo lonelyplanet.com

Вам это будет интересно:
Leather Tanneries in Fez: Rainbow palette of the East
Ancient Fez medina is firmly holding time in a criss-crossing maze of tiny alleyways and picturesque shops. The medieval town of craftsmen does not recognize modern technology, however, it is not difficult to trace a full production of cute handbag with embossed lettering. The leather for souvenir is produced there, in courtyards, and at a reasonable cost a tannery owner would reveal details of folk art with a millennial history.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Nairobi
Today we are going on vacation in Kenya style! Let’s watch out for thieves, bargain at local markets, taste fantastic tea and get wrapped up into colourful African textiles. We will find out which places are not available for a modest budget, and without any worries, will cheer up admiring fantastic sunset on the coast of the Indian Ocean.
Belgium with the eyes of Marina Orlova: How the belgians live
Marina Orlova is a project manager in a cultural and public organization. Working on one of her international projects, she met her love - Wim, a guy from Belgium. She succeeded to visit his country only when Ukraine obtained visa-free regime and Marina shared with OUTLOOK her observations about how the Belgians live, what they eat for breakfast and how they relax.
Peru. Places of power
Israel, India, Mecca - these geographic points are very important for the followers of various religions and not for them only: while on pilgrimage, one can experience the grace and feel the most powerful concentration of energy, even if being non-believer. In the territory of the South America, in Peru, there are also places of power about which writes our reader and author Iya Zaitseva.
Richard Gannon: The Faroe Islands - Sheep islands
Only three months a year air connection between the United Kingdom and Faroe Islands operates. I was excited about my future trip although I didn’t realize the whole nine yards of what was expecting me there, in the North. Sometimes I was picturing the Faroes as the land covered in ice. Next moment it seemed that strong wind persists in the islands which meant that I would be blown off some cliff into cold water.
We were there: Gudauri
In Gudauri it is easy to feel time, pinch it between your fingers and stretch it in space, tuning up your inner rhythm to a sensation mode. There are no deadlines, annoying neighbours and reckless guys driving out to oncoming traffic lane. All this hustle and bustle seem illusory and momentary. Here, in Gudauri values are different. The mountains do not tolerate fuss, inner dialogue and self-criticism. The greatest pleasure is just to contemplate at them.
We were there: New York, Washington and Miami
For certain reasons there are two capitals in America – official and actual. Context manager from Kyiv Bohdan Yanchev visited them both and told us about spirits of these cities, about their landmarks and about what they represent in reality. If you think that New York is imbued with expensive perfumes and there is nothing else to do in Washington but to lie on a lawn by the White House – you are wrong!
Country with “Almost Identical Flag"
Sweden probably isn’t one of the most popular touristic destinations among Ukrainians. Our fellow countrymen far more willingly go to warm states or to more popular European capitals with easier access. Our today’s company, vocalist of “MYACH” band from Kyiv, Yuriy Rozenko, on the contrary, makes sure he visits the kingdom several times a year.
We were there: Le Mans is the untouchable charm of old France
Anton Sak moved to France so as to get high education. He has been studying at Chemistry Faculty of Le Mans Université. Today he will tell us about Le Mans, the wonderful old French city with the special brightness. It is unknown for tourists; however, it is the interesting destination in the route of avid traveler.
We were there: Cappadocia
Each person has a moment or event that is unforgettable for lifetime. My trip to Cappadocia and a hot air balloon flight is one of the most breath-taking experiences I have ever had. That is why I would like to share my impressions with you.
On the Move. Street food from around the world
Experienced tourists believe that one of the best sure-fire ways to quickly tune into the beat of another culture is to try local food. In order not to be at a loss when choosing dishes and save precious time for spiritual food, OUTLOOK gives you selective advice on street gastronomy from seven spots of the globe.
Normandy through the eyes of Korney Gritciuk. Part 2
OUTLOOK continues to share impressions of the French Normandy. In our previous article Kornei Gritsyuk shared about his trip to Deauville. Now it is turn for Cherbourg or Cherbourg-Octeville. Double name of the city appeared in the early 2 000 when Cherbourg merged with Octeville...
Normandy through the eyes of Korney Gritciuk. Part 1
For many tourists France is mainly Paris with long queues to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as neighbouring sights with royal chic, or Mediterranean resorts. But OUTLOOK author while travelling through the country decided to go to the north, to Normandy! Our readers are welcome to read series of travel essays about a journey to the Atlantic Ocean by Kornei Gritsyuk...
We were there: Vienna
Vienna is a blood vessel of old Europe known for being aristocratic, sophisticated, filled with museums. Photographer Yulia Kochetova says what visiting this city it is mandatory to attend the Opera, pay homage to royal palaces and drink delicious coffee with cream.There are 80 city museums out of which one can and should choose, so let’s start falling in love with the Vienna Museum Quarter.
Chefchaouen: Moroccan City Made of Skies
Majority of people associate Morocco with either red or yellow – Africa, after all, heat, sand, spices and so on as the list goes. But it only happens in heads of tourists who have never visited an amazing city with such a pleasant and tender name as Chefchaouen. After that one the whole country seems to be a single cloud.
Summer at a Real Ranch!
Upon watching movies about Wild West in America, more than one generation of children dragged their parents towards horses nearby a circus to try on well-loved characters and feel that very atmosphere for a minute. However that minute has always seemed way to short for me. Therefore, when I grew up, I headed to Colorado State to work on a real-life horse guest ranch called Sundance.
Everone soon or late comes to Rome
He shall never again be wholly unhappy, for he has seen Italy and especially Rome, Goethe said. Our reader and photographer Roman Matkov fully agrees with this opinion. Today he is sharing his impressions of the eternal city with our readers.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Hurghada
We are proceeding to spend $10 in various destination... Today, in the sands of Hurghada, Egypt, we are looking for something worthy investing this money, to feel the city, touch and taste it. At the same time, we will see how not to fall into the trap of vendors who for the sake of your traveller’s wallet, will build a new pyramids and bring unknown species of scarabaeus.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Seoul
People with features of magpie who likes every glittery thing, will find it very difficult to stay in Seoul. If you are used to the fact that your eyes get lost in ordinary shops, then, believe me, in Seoul they will go multi kilometre marathons with your every step. What if you have only $10 in your pocket? Be patient and spend money on the most interesting things.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Stockholm
Stockholm is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Nevertheless, its residents are satisfied with this status of the capital, and it is no wonder since an average salary in the city reaches USD2800... So, at first glance, it is a difficult task to have a good fun in the Swedish capital if you have just USD10 in your pocket. But this task is not hopeless once you stir your imagination and wind up your brain.
Закрыть
Outlook facebook page