Journey across Morocco [Part 2] 〜Marrakesh〜
この記事は日本語の記事を英語に翻訳したものです。
原作はhttp://tufs-wonderfulwander.info/archives/21482からチェックできます。ぜひご覧ください。
In Part 1, I shared my trip planning and arrival in Marrakech. If you haven't read it yet, please click here.
This is Part 2 - Marrakech. I will introduce you to the highlights of Marrakech and the places you can visit on a day trip from Marrakech.
highlights of Marrakech
・Souk（Market）
In the medina (old town), there are markets called souk. These markets sell everything from spices, sweets, and street food to traditional costumes, scarves, lamps, leather goods, and more. Many shops line the streets.
The street is filled with the aroma of spices and leather goods, the sizzle of food being cooked and metal being processed, and bright lamps, and vivid carpets, just walking down the street makes it a delightful experience for all five senses.
Touts in Marrakesh are more energetic than in any other part of Morocco. You might be approached even if you didn't see a product and simply walked past a shop.
"Where are you from?"
"I have a lot of Japanese friends!"
"It's free just to look!"
"Would you like to take a photo of our shop?"
In the first few days, I was lured in by all the enticing offers and ended up spending a lot of time just walking a short distance down the street. However, as the days passed, I eventually learned how to walk. haha
It wasn't just business; sometimes it was simply enjoying a chat.
Sometimes they even offered me a cup, no, many cups of tea.
I also met many pro-Japanese Moroccans, some of whom spoke of their love for Japan as best they could when they realized I was from Japan.
When shopping in the souks, items do not have price tags, so the initial price you are given is often not the final price. Some people have suggested that the market price is typically around 60% of the initial price you are quoted.
Before going to the market, it's a good idea to look up the market price of items online, if you already know what you want.
While bargaining can be tiring, try to have fun with it and treat it like a game.
I once purchased an item that was initially priced at 150 DH for only 35 DH in the end. The price negotiation was so dramatic that I was left wondering what the actual price should have been! It was a bit confusing, but also quite amusing.
Can you guess what color the brown dye in the foreground will turn?
Brazilian and Dutch ladies I met at the hostel and museum.
・Funa Square
Funa Square is lovely during the day, but at night it comes alive with many stalls lining the streets. You can often hear the chefs and guests singing together from the street restaurants, and some people even imitate Japanese comedians. I wonder who taught them?
In open areas without stalls, we can watch performances of traditional instruments, songs, and dances. It was impressive to see not only tourists but also locals enjoying those performances together. The square was full of Moroccan music and dancing, which was very exotic.
Also, women sometimes appear in the square to draw henna tattoos. Be careful, as they will grab you by the arm and start drawing without asking you, and eventually ask for money. I was taken for a ride haha
・Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace was constructed in the 19th century as the private residence of Ali Bahmet.
The exquisite tiles on the floor, the intricate patterns on the doors, and the elaborate carvings on the walls…. You will never get tired of seeing the beauty everywhere you look.
Despite the scarcity of greenery in the old town of Marrakech, the garden's lush plants resemble an oasis in the desert.
During my visit after lunchtime, the palace was bustling with visitors, but there was an abundance of sights and experiences to savor.
・Medersa Ben Youssef
A madrasa is an Islamic seminary, meaning "place of learning" in Arabic. Medersa Ben Youssef is known as the largest medersa in North Africa.
The colors, patterns, and carvings on the wall tiles were very beautiful. The rooms inside the building were simple compared to the gorgeous courtyard.
・One gallery in town
While I was taking a walk, a man sweeping the front gate of a mansion asked me if I would like to visit the gallery. And I decided to have a look around.
The galleries were spread out in the basement, which I wouldn't imagine from the outside of the building.
The caretaker told me that
"The beauty of Marrakech is always hidden"
I believe everyone who visits this gallery will agree with him.
I tried to find it on Google map from the location of the photo, but I couldn't find it, and actually I don't know the name of this gallery...
If you come across it, I strongly recommend that you visit.
・Free tours
Free tours are offered daily in Marrakech and can be booked online. The topic came up during breakfast and I decided to join in with a French woman who was staying in the same room.
I gained a lot of valuable information that I wouldn't have known if I had just walked around the city alone.
I learned about history, culture, religion, and the effects of the earthquake, and even got restaurant recommendations.
I was satisfied with the tour because I was able to explore the souks and visit places that are usually difficult for a woman to enter alone, like a leather processing plant.
Although the tour is called free, you are expected to tip at the end. However, I believe it is worth paying for. I highly recommend it.
the places you can visit from Marrakech
It is more cost-effective to join a tour than to take taxis and transfers due to the limited convenience of transportation in and around Marrakech.
Many hostels and hotels offer day-trip activities, and you can also find numerous tours on Get Your Guide. I will share my impressions of some of the tours I have personally experienced.
・Atlas Mountains Day Trip with Camel Ride
I joined a tour that included hiking in the Atlas Mountains and a camel ride. The tour bus picked me up near the hostel in the morning. The view from the bus was spectacular, and I was excited just to sit back and enjoy the ride to our destination.
The hiking experience in the beautiful natural surroundings was very pleasant and refreshing.
During the camel ride, I wore a traditional costume and a scarf. The pace was so slow and leisurely that I actually felt,
"Wouldn't it be faster to walk on my own?"
However, it turned out to be incredibly relaxing and I was able to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
For lunch, I had tajine and couscous, traditional Moroccan dishes, at a restaurant run by the guide's parents.
There were lots of cats around, constantly trying to snatch food that fell off the table. Even my chicken was nibbled on a bit, but it was all very cute.
I joined the tour with a Brazilian woman whom I had befriended at the hostel, but we didn't have any common language. As a result, we had to use a translation app throughout the tour to communicate with each other. It was a funny and precious experience.
・Ouzoud Waterfalls Guided Hike and Boat Trip
Ouzoud Falls is the highest waterfall in North Africa. The scenery is reminiscent of Splash Mountain at Disneyland, as shown in this photo.
Visitors have the option to take a boat ride to get up close to the falls.
Additionally, during the hike, you can feed the monkeys that live around the falls.
Despite being a popular tourist spot with boat tours and a restaurant, the stunning view and the mist from the falls made the experience very enjoyable.
Conclusion
I've encountered people who say,
"I am a traveler, not a tourist, so I don't go on tours,"
which seems like a waste to me.
If I have the opportunity to visit a place, I want to go whether I am a tourist or a traveler.
Maybe I'm still a 'tourist' and not a 'traveler.'
I have only introduced a small part of what Marrakech has to offer.
There is still much more to see, so please go and see for yourself.
Next time, I will tell you about our trip to the port town of Essaouira.
It's a must-see for cat lovers 🐈
Hope to see you next time!
この記事が気に入ったらサポートをしてみませんか？