Zak[driver] spoke excellent English he was Professional, extremely knowledgeable personality and sense of humor par excellence. Both informative and curious about cultural, religion, natural landscape, and social nuance vis a vis language use, history of relationships between , for example Moroccans and the French. From him and things he pointed out, I gleaned significant information about Amazigh and Nomadic peoples and their culture.
He knew and /or had an excellent rapport with guides, and restaurant staff, etc. and would relate and translate to include me in conversations in Arabic….one of the reasons I came to love the people there. His care and concern for everything, from my well-being, (beyond the physical), and willingness to attend to every need, from urgent to sometimes even much exaggerated urgency on my part! Fortunately we were eventually able to laugh about these latter “ needs”. Protective without being a nuisance ! Could intuit with precision necessary timing for “rest” stops as we travelled and even gave me a few dirhams for the wc attendants when I had no coins which was more often than not, kind, generous, sensitive.
We are still in contact through WhatsApp , sharing photos, questions and answers as well as fun and funny moments! Of course, I could go on….
The highlights of my tour to Morocco are connections with Moroccan people. Education from day to day experiences to daylong tours by scholarly guides, who addressed and educated me or areas of personal interest and highlighted topics of history and regional significance.
Also: The desert trek, (especially time spent with camel guide at sunset) and wandering the sands at sunrise. shopping at women’s’ co-ops, learning about and purchasing authentic goods directly from artisans, from silver jewelry artists, (Essaouira) centers of leather, pottery, weavers and fabric artisans (Fès) rather than in souks and private shops. Of course hammam, both private and traditional . Loved lodging, hosts, and incredible cuisine at Dar d’Or in Fès. Main highlight? Travelling with Zak, my personal driver!
Dar d’Or in Fès by far. (Beautiful , kind, attentive and “ loving” hosts, and extrodinary cuisine, dinners made to order. Organic ingredients purchased daily, and everything from breakfasts to dinners made from scratch.
I found Dar Rocmarra in Marrakech to be lovely, and it’s host and staff very accommodating. Beautiful accommodations. No complaints at all, but for some reason, I’d opt to stay elsewhere on my next visit.
Loved room, terrace, staff in Essaouira , all right on the edge of the planet with calming an gorgeous views in every direction.
Sélectes Art Palace on my own in Casablanca and would indeed recommend it.
My favorite accommodations: Resort in Skoura was almost overwhelming. The room, facilities and dining clearly deluxe. Spent early morning hours walking the gardens…barefoot, until a young man expressed concern, disappeared then returned with his own flip flops for me to wear! Every employee I encountered expressed loving working there, and it was reflected in service, attentiveness, kindness, etc.
This 5* accommodation, while a veritable paradise, but except for the location in proximity to the desert , I wonder if I might have been just as happy in a more traditional accommodation? Maybe I only wonder this because I’m not a habituée of such elaborate and costly accommodations when travelling. Yet for the time and locale, perfect. Beyond perfect!
Will return, Inshallah , and with without a doubt travel, solo again, with EIT.
Lynn.
(May of 2022)