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    Morocco on a shoestring

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    • December 15, 2005
    Camel TrekkingMore Photos
    Camel trekking and sleeping under the stars in the Sahara, seeing the villages of the remote High Atlas from the top of a Berber sheep truck, fighting the crowds of Marrakesh for the best bargains in the souks, seeing the thundering falls of Cascades d'Ouzoud, and chilling out on the beaches of beautiful and relaxed Essaouira. We travelled throughout much of Morocco, hitting not only the traditional tourist spots, but visiting some of the remotest parts of the country as well. Morocco offers so many contrasts that by the time we'd finished our travels, we felt like we'd seen not just one but 10 different countries!${QuickSuggestions} Don't underestimate the size of Morocco, like we did! It's a vast country, and it's a rare occasion where you can hop on a bus and get from A to B quickly, so build plenty of time into your travels. The hospitality amongst the Moroccans is legendary, but unfortunately there are also plenty of people who will play on this and try to take advantage of trusting tourists--be wary of who you accept invitations from. Moroccan currency can't be taken outside the country, and I was advised that travelers cheques in euros or your native currency are the best thing to take with you. However, lots of banks won't change them, and it was 2 days before I found one that would. So, the moral of the story: take some cash with you as well!${BestWay} You can travel easiest and at your own pace in a hired car, but I don't think this is the best way to get around. If you really want to see the country and its people, use public transport. Morocco's trains are punctual and very good, although not widespread. The local buses are quite poor and rarely on time--if there are better options (like the national CTM or Supratours buses), go for these. Petit taxis are used for getting around towns and are very cheap and quick, definite musts for exploring a large city! Grand taxis travel long distances between cities, and they wait until they're completely full of passengers before they go anywhere. So, if you're going to an obscure place, you could be waiting for quite awhile. With five or six people squeezed into three back seats and three more in the front, they're not the most comfortable means of transport. Couple this with the terrifying driving of Moroccans and you'll be amazed to get out alive at the other end. But despite all this, you'll probably find them as invaluable as we did!
    From journal Morocco on a shoestring