Ramadan in Morocco

Visiting a country - where 99% of the population is Muslim - during the holy month of Ramadan was always going to be interesting... I don't think I was prepared for the fact that not only does everyone over the age of 18 fast during daylight hours - this includes not allowing a sip of water past the lips - but the country effectively shuts down and only comes alive after 8.30pm, when everyone has broken fast.
Our guide Mohamed is naturally observing Ramadan too, so we are trying to be sensitive and not eat and drink in his presence. It was tough today, as we drove for 4 hrs through the mountains and I was sitting in the front of the minibus between him and our driver, so didn't eat or drink the whole time (bear in mind the mercury's at 40degs)!

The group is great - comprised of 13 travellers between the ages of 19 and 67, only 2 of whom are men - poor blokes, stuck with 11 excitable girls! Everyone is really friendly, and well-travelled which makes for lots of interesting dinner conversation. I've made especially good friends with 2 australian girls, Jade and Kimberley - perhaps because they're both teachers!

We began the tour in Marrakech, but didn't have much time to explore before driving north to the famous coastal city of Casablanca. The name sounds exotic - however, we were all disappointed as it is actually the commercial capital of the country, and a massiver industrial city home to more than 1.7 million people. We visited the huge Hassan 2 mosque whose prayer hall is large enough to hold St. Peters basilica, with space for 25,000 worshippers andD a further 80,000 in the courtyard. We have also visited the ancient imperial cities of Meknes and Rabat, which is the capital.

Yesterday we climbed high into the northern mountains to the Spanish town of Chefchauen. Wow. It is a stunning hilltop town painted in blue and white. There we explored the tiny alleyways and bustling medina - meaning old city - and enjoyed the most amazing meal of tagine, couscous, chicken bastilla and locally grown olives, all washed down with the obligatory sweet mint tea. I was a very happy traveller at that point, to say the least!

Today we travelled to Fes. Tomorrow we explore the city with a local guide, a tour which includes a visit to the famous tanneries and the first university in the world, dating from 789AD. WiFi is available in most hotels we're staying in so I'll update again when I have more news. Ele x