My last night in Marrakech was fantastic. Went out for some food, settling on a mystery plate of meat and some skewers (didn't take me long to venture back into street food, but no snails for me). Spent the rest of the night talking with a bunch of others who were staying at the same hostel while smoking the hookah, made for a fantastic night. Every now and then you get a great mix of people in a particular hostel and this was one of the best groups I've ever encountered in a particular hostel, quite sad to leave them, but so it goes.
Woke up early the next morning for a 630 bus ride out of Marrakech. First on to Casablanca, which wasn't much from what I could see. Mainly a big business city from the looks of it, and reviews from fellow travelers were pretty awful (dead bodies in the road and other very strange things). Moved on from there after a few hours waiting in the bus station to Chefchaouen. Was a tremendoulsy scenic bus ride there, although long and the AC had broken on the bus. Even the locals said the heat was near unbearable. Made friends with a fellow traveler along the way, Daisuke, from Japan, and after arriving in Marrakech set out to find a hostel I had looked up.
Arrived at the hostel and for 30 dirham (3 euro, 4 dollars) a night settled onto a mattress on the roof. Simple, yet beautiful at the same time. Daisuke and I went off to support the local farming economy and settled in to a quiet night on the roof of the hostel, with spectacular views of Chefchaouen and the surrounding countryside.
Next day woke up and decided on a hike. Scrambled up the hill eventually finding a trail along the way. Managed to pass quite a few locals on the way up, all of which were very friendly and offered water and advice for the hike. Chanced upon a road leading up the mountain and took it, a valley leading up into the mountains far beyond Chefchaouen. Absolutely beautiful up that way. A creek ran through the valley with bright pink flowered bushes on the banks. Various fountains were stationed all over so we could refill water bottles and dip our heads underneath the water. We started the hike at 11 and by 1230 or so the temperature was already well over 100 degrees, probably 110 at the height of the hike. Along the road going up were many goat herders, marijuana plantations, and small homes. One guy invited us into his home for a break in the shade and we gladfully accepted, it was really hot. At this point, had ditched the tshirt but this resulted in an aboslutely ridiculous tan from my backpack that I'm still trying to beat. 4 hours up the mountain we reached the top where the trail went back down the other side. Explored around the top for a bit and then 2 hours back down. Much easier on the way down but still hot and came back to the hostel to relax for a while.
Went out that night for some internet access (incredibly slow) and a haircut, which for 3 dollars was the most attentive haircut I've ever gotten. Got the buzz again, in the Moroccan heat and while traveling it just makes sense. Ate a nice chicken tanjin dinner that night and went to bed relatively early.
Next day woke up and walked around Chefchaouen for the morning. A quick word on the town. Easily in the top 3 of most charming places ever. The walls of the city and doors are all painted various shades of blue. Small little alleys are filled with shops and homes. Just a great place to be. I'm working on photos so will try and have those up soon.
At 2 in the afternoon, met up with a group of other kids at the the hostel and took taxis about 40 minutes outside Chefchaouen to this waterfall which was a 20 minute hike or so up a valley. The walk was incredibly scenic, with monkeys hanging onto sheer rock cliffs and streams running all through the area. The waterfall itself was fantastic. Not the best ever, but a wonderful place to go too. Of course I had to jump off it into the pool below, which took some nerve considering it was a 12m (40 feet) drop into a 2m pool of water . Took a video of the jump using my waterproof camera. Will post that soon. Finished off the night with the waterfall group with dinner and some shopping. Got a hand woven blanket for 20 dollars or so, quite a good one, and should be of good use with camping in Pamplona and Bennicassim coming up.
More to come later, it's late, and if I can somehow get over the heat should like to sleep now. It's about 90 degrees I'd say. In Malaga in Spain by the way. Tangier and Malaga to come tomorrow...
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