Capital: Rabat        …             35,740,000 People          …         446,550 km²  

The Country

The North African country of Morocco is filled with rich cultural history and breathtaking scenery. From the busy streets of “The Red City” known as Marrakech to the stillness of the Erg Chebbi Dunes, Morocco (translated to “Land of God” in Berber) has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times and contains thousands of years of culture.

Fun Facts:

• Morocco receives more tourists per year than any other African nation, exceeding 10 million people.

• Green tea with mint (Maghrebi mint tea) is the most popular beverage in Morocco, and is known as “Berber Whiskey”.

• The liver is the symbol of love in Moroccan culture, not the heart.

My Experience

I flew to Morocco from Portugal in November of 2018, and upon my arrival immediately checked into a riad with my two friends. That night we explored Jemaa el-Fnaa, a square and market in the centre of Marrakech. There, one friend and I got minor food poisoning from chicken tajine, a dish we would end up eating almost every day of our trip.

The next day we began our trek west, often stopping throughout the province of Al Haouz. The landscape quickly became mountainous, with winding streets stretching up steep cliffs. After a few hours we arrived at the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, now outside of the High Atlas mountains. This UNESCO site was once an ancient trading post, and is where we purchased our headscarves before continuing to the Sahara. That night we stopped at a hotel in the Dades Valley to eat chicken tajine, and to practice tying our headscarves.

The next day we drove to Tighr, a lush green oasis surrounded by high cliffs. There we were invited into a home to see how traditional carpets are made. After a few cups of tea (and a course of chicken tajine) we continued on our way to the Erg Chebbi dunes and got acquainted with our camels. Our camels, Bruce, Barry, and Ben started the trek into the Sahara, eventually reaching a Berber desert camp just after the sun had set. The camels, although soft, were not the most comfortable and we all had to take a few moments to stretch. We sat down for a delicious dinner of chicken tajine, and began setting up for a long night ahead of us. We sang and danced around a fire within the campsite, and learned how to properly play drums. After this incredible experience, we left the campsite to go up on a sand dune and see the stars over the desert.

To our dismay, clouds started to roll in and blocked out the sky which otherwise would have been filled with stars. My friends clearly noticed my disappointment, until to everyones surprise, it started to rain. We were then told it was the first time in 7 years that this particular spot had experienced rainfall, and at this time we were all under blankets on a dune (in the pitch black of night). My friends and I were determined to wait out the rain for the hope we would see a starry night, and after a few hours of talking, the clouds finally began to subside.

With a large group of friends we created throughout the trip, we wandered away from camp and lit a bonfire to stay warm. After snapping a few photos of the stars over the Sahara, we found our way back to camp and decided to sleep under the stars. We were told we would be leaving at 6am, but we accidentally slept until… 6am. We quickly packed our things, jumped on our camels, and started the long journey back to Marrakech. Along the way, we stopped at a roadside restaurant. When given the option between another dish of chicken tajine, or a plate of spaghetti, I can sincerely say that spaghetti was a welcomed treat.

The next morning in Marrakech, the original friends I came to Morocco with had to fly back to go to school. Coincidently, the day they left was also a day a few of my other friends were in Marrakech. We visited the Ouzoud Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Morocco. At the base of the waterfall we stopped to have a plate of chicken tajine, and walked up to a platform filled with playful monkeys. We fed them oranges and peanuts until one monkey got a bit greedy and took my friends entire orange (instead of just a slice). After arriving back at Marrakech (with a pocket full of oranges) I did some last minute shopping at Jemaa el-Fnaa, and left to fly back to Denmark.

Morocco was the most culturally different country I have visited so far, and was filled with experiences I will truly remember for a lifetime. From seeing the stars over the Sahara, to learning to love chicken tajine again, Morocco is filled with amazing people and unique geographical landscapes.

Photos of Morocco