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MOROCCO
Morocco is located on the northwestern tip of Africa. It’s just nine miles from Europe -- a short boat ride away from Portugal and Spain. (It’s five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time). No wonder the late King Hassan II of Morocco once said, "Morocco has its roots in Africa, but branches in Europe." He was spot on. At times I kept having to remember where I was—even during the day. Looking out at the arid landscape, I felt like I was in Africa -- but then sipping
sweet minttea
outside Café les Negociants (Tel : 044-43-57-62) at the intersection of heavily trafficked Avenue Mohammed V and Boulevard Mohammed Zerktoun, I thought I was in Europe. Then, seeing all the Muslims (99% of the country) dressed in traditional garb, and trying to decipher their Arabic language, I thought for sure I was in the Middle East. It was amazing.
Morocco has a long history which I can't even go into (Here's an informative link) but you should at least know that the country recovered its political independence from France in 1956.
MOROCCAN MONEY
The two main languages
here are Arabic (official) and French. Few people speak English, but everyone is very friendly so communicating has seldom been a problem for me.
(In the real touristy areas and hotels, English is spoken often.) The first thing I did after clearing customs (and you should too) was get some
Moroccan dirhams (MAD) from the ATM. $1 USD equals
8.3 MAD. Our dollar goes a long way here. As you can see from this
"Frommers.com Where Does the Dollar Do Best?" page, a movie ticket costs just $3.46, bus fare is 40¢, a cup of regular coffee is 57¢ and a moderate, three-star hotel room for two can be found for $40.45.
MOROCCAN GUIDE
I am here because the Moroccan government invited me for a three-city tour. They supplied me with a tour guide named Andaloussi "Said" Ahmed
(andaloussiahmed@yahoo.com, tel.: +212.61.51.40.41) who was excellent. He’s been a nationally accredited tour guide (badge number 518) for 22 years, and speaks Arabic, English and Spanish. The official tour guide price is 350 MAD ($41) for a full day. How cheap is that? Said lives in Marrakech, so if you want him for a day tour of that city, no problem. But he and other guides are available to travel around the country too, so I had him as my guide for almost a full week. If Said’s not available, I’m sure he can recommend a colleague. Otherwise, your hotel or the Moroccan tourist office can arrange one. I recommend having a guide for at least the first day – just to show you the ropes. If not, be prepared to get thoroughly lost, or else deal with the same experience of walking out of a JFK terminal: All the gypsy cab drivers pester you to choose them.
CASABLANCA TO MARRAKECH
The drive from the airport to downtown Casablanca takes 30 minutes, but I wasn’t headed to that port city yet. My tour began in Marrakech. Getting there requires either a 22-minute flight on a Royal Air Maroc 737 (around $150), or a three-hour drive. I chose the latter, because I would have had to wait four hours for the next flight. I felt bad, because I had not slept much on the plane and could barely keep my eyes (and ears) open for Said. But I perked up after getting some goodies
at a popular rest stop halfway
to Marrakech.
NEXT WEEK Next week: Marrakech. Stay tuned! P.S. There will be a 3-minute Johnny Jet video.
*If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!
SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
I am a freelance travel writer and travel agent. I travel extensively and love to cruise (45 cruises so far and still counting). Mexico is another favorite beat. Love your style - you really got Cancun right - you are a writer's writer! Marvin Perton – Southeast, Florida
Good morning. Read your article in Frommers. I have several restaurant suggestions for vacationer's coming to this area, two are in Delray and two are in Boca. Delray: #1 Sonoma; very good, moderate to expensive. #2 32 east; food excellent, very noisy, menu limited, expensive. Boca: #1 Bova; food excellent, medium noise level, expensive (the ambiance is not to be believed). #2 Arturo's food excellent, expensive. I am 85 year old married male. We live year round in Delray. For us the above mentioned restaurants are special occasion restaurants. We are going to Bova for lunch in March for my birthday. The other times that I have been to bova have been for dinner. Arturo's also serves lunch during the season. Hope these suggestions are of value to you. Jerry B
If you are ever in the Olympic Peninsula, it has an "Inn at Port Hadlock", plus a lot of other neat places for "bikers" motorized or manual, hiking and nature stuff. But this Inn (kind of in the middle of no where, so it seems good for honeymoon, or relaxing) had an Art museum and restaurant, which really impressed me. Everything was "arty", even the rain gutters. Also, Salmon fishing and Orca whale watching close by. Try it out someday. The area is also very historical.—Cathy H –
I have a question for Carol. I absolutely loved a top she was wearing in one of the photos in Cancun - it was green with parrots on it. Would she mind telling me where I could find one like it?? Thanks! p.s. enjoyed the newsletter, as always! Robynne G - Charleston, WV REPLY: Hi Robynne, It's a Manuel Canovas from a few years ago. I bought it in Anguilla. I liked it so much that I purchased the sarong and matching bathing suit. My husband thought that I was absolutely crazy, but I knew that they would only make it for one season. You could try calling the NYC store at (212) 753-4488 to see if the fabric is in stock. Happy Trails, Carol.
I just wanted to send a note thanking you for Cancun info. My sister and I are going in a couple of weeks to a resort we went to last year. Your info is a good refresher before we leave! Kathy M – Norwalk, CT
Gosh its been nearly a year since your flight down to AKL and your NZ experience!! I just have to say that I had never heard of 'You Tube' until a friend of mine called me screaming down the phone! His friend had been cruising through You Tube and found your wee Air NZ experience. As Peter fly’s so much with us his friend told him to look at it and there was me!! I have since had a number of friends contacting me saying they saw the video clip and that I’m so famous now!!! Ha Ha!!! The cottages (Coastal-Cottages.co.nz) that I own are busy this month and its stunning weather down here. I’m still flying those skies, albeit not to as exotic destinations as you!! Travel well.. Fiona – New Zealand
If you have leftover foreign currency that is no longer in rotation b/c of the Euro (Italian lira, etc.) from a previous trip, can you exchange it for Euros today or are you SOL? I've heard you can still exchange old foreign currency from countries that now use the Euro. If so, where? Josh G - NYC REPLY: You can't exchange coins in most countries anymore so hopefully you don't have too many. As far as bank notes are concerned every country is different with deadlines (some don't have one). However, bank notes need to be exchanged at the respective country's National Bank. Here's a link for deadlines.
I will be traveling with my husband and another couple in the Canadian
Rockies in July. We are looking forward to playing golf and to seeing the
sights. We are looking for a driver to transport us between the airport and
the hotels where we will be staying and to take us on excursions during our
trip. Any information or suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks so much. Barbie B - Pacific Palisades, California
: Thanks for the email. The best we can offer since none of us have traveled there is to try Limos.com.
I just enjoyed reading your site… You not only have a great site, but you’re a hottie... Are you single? Rob S- Arverne, NY REPLY: Very kind of you! I am single but not gay.
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