Step aboard to be abroad

A late night flight from Morocco landed me in cold, rainy Germany. But i didnt' mind at all. I was in Berlin, the city I had heard SO much about and all of it was good. I also had the next two weeks to hang out with one of the funnest cats, Lenny B.

After walking in the rain to find our apartment, owned by the most lovely of ladies, we did a little grocery shop and headed off to bed to ready ourselves for the adventures ahead.

Not going to lie, I was in heaven when I had my favourite breakfast of muesli yogurt and fruit after 6 weeks or so of living without it!

 Walking, walking, walking. The Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and wandering about and eating. We did most of the tourist things in the first day and luckily as the change in weather had made me very ill :(

Berlin is a magical city, and I am definitely not finished with it. A shame I didn't get to experience and explore more but I will be back.

Next stop PRAGUE:

The STUNNING stunning Prague. So Beautiful. Like really.  Really. Woah.

The Castle, The Bridge. The John Lennon Wall. Various Lock Bridges. Just incredible.

Then there is Prague Zoo. Way too good. Hippos win!

The best weather and fun times, hippity hop to Paris!

Arc De Triomphe, The Lourve and that little tower..

For our last day together and last day in Paris, we spent it the best way possible.

 DISNEYLAND PARIS.

The best day. It rained but that didn't even matter. So good. SO so good.

Being left all alone by my fellow Moroccaners ( a day later than expected muhahaha) it was solo time. And I did it very well. Too well.

I had money problems (money being lost in cyber space but being taken from my account) so was semi stuck but also waiting for some wonderful gals I had been at Pamplona with to make their way to Marrakech to play!

I caught up on a lot of TV shows, played a lot of Candy Crush, slept a fair bit and continued to sweat continuously. Yes, I was THAT person in the hostel.

I ventured out very little because although I never felt unsafe, it was very irritating getting harassed every time you walked out the door. Being blonde is not a helpful factor.

I got well acquainted with the Hostel/Riad owners, in particular Mustapha as well as the long term stayer John. Both had plenty of stories to tell and are incredibly interesting people. John and I shared a few meals and swore off couscous together, forever.

After a week or so Georgie, Britta and their friend and my new new friend Bella arrived and with a belly full of excitement I woke them at our new hostel not knowing they'd had a terrible nights travel on a train from up North.

Nevertheless the laughs started and didn't stop. The days that followed were much the same as before the only difference was having company!

Pool side chilling, market shopping, Meeting Carolin, drinking orange juice, meals in the square and Britta and myself obsessing over the NuNu's (cats).

It was around a week or so I spent with the girls and we shared all of our travel and adventure stories from when we had last seen each other. Together, we made a pretty epic story to tell.

Whilst I was still staying at the Riad with Mustapha he had mentioned and invited me to a Moroccan wedding. I would be silly to say no, so I didn't, I said yes yes yes BUT my friends will be here. The invitation was extended to them and excitement started building.

On the day we headed to the Riad where Mustapha was waiting with beers and his wifes formal dresses.As we were getting dressed admiring the beauty of the dresses but also laughing because we had never worn anything like this, we realised it was super rude to just 'turn up' to someones wedding. Turns out Mustapha was the wedding singer as well as the cousin of the bride 'all is good girls!'

We dressed, had obligatory photos taken and along with John we piled too many people into one car.

On our way, we discovered we were actually headed to the 'bucks night'. Needless to say as we were driving out of Marrakech into the middle of nowhere, headed for a bucks night, we grew a little uncomfortable. I knew Mustapha was a good guy and it would be fine but there are always those thoughts in the back of your head.

We arrive, work our way out of the car and men. Everywhere. Yikes.

EYE (I, but wanted to emphasize) got pushed to go in first, the blonde. To my/our relief there were women and children everywhere and we were stared at something fierce but also welcomed in a big way.

We were ushered to a room and sat around a small table, where we were fed some of the most delicious food I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. All of which we ate with our fingers. Pulling apart a chicken with 7 or so other people, dipping bread in the juices. A delicious experience.

Next was celebration time! Dance dance dance and dance.

It felt like the songs when for 15 minutes each and the kids LOVED us and would not let go of our hands, Even some little fights over who would stand next to us. Such an incredible night and this was a highligh. Not being about to verbally communicate with the kids and everyone else at the party but feeling so welcome and just having the best time was such a great feeling. Smiling and laughing is an international language ;)

After what felt like days of dancing and laughing it was time to jump back into the small car and head home. Singalongs included.

The next few days were spent soaking up the sun and eating lots before it was time to depart once again from my amazing trio of gal pals and Marrakech.

Saying goodbye to London and everything that was my life for the last two years was very difficult, but with an exciting adventure in the shape of Morocco ahead made it that little bit easier.

A reunion with my JK and LK and meeting their buds from a trip to  Austria earlier in the year, we jumped on the plane and  upon arrival,  all i can say is - hot. Not just 'oh its a lot warmer here', no, HOT.  Coming from Edinburgh and London didnt help us. Nor did our adorable NON AIR CONDITIONED lovely hostel.

We arrived late in the evening so made to bed pretty quickly to explore the following day. 

A typical breakfast was provided by the hostel of english muffin/crumpet type things, pancakey things and honey or jam with bees. Lots of them.

Exploring Marrakech was a real shock and I instantly fell in love.

With many, 'hello?! Henna?!' "hey lady gaga, ohh shakira, yes come look at my shop", snake charmers, countless orange juice carts and what not. The giant souks (markets), trying to dodge cars and motor bikes and the biggest square in Africa. This was the crazy Marrakech.

The girls decided to get a hammam which is a traditional arabic bath and after lunch, our first taste of scrumptious Moroccan cuisinse, we headed on in fairly niave to what we about to do. Being prepared to be in our undies and bra, 'take bra off' Ahh ok. Splashed with buckets of warm water (now, remember it is already hot outside) and enter a steam room. I've never been into a sauna, but Yas had, she  advised me it was about  120% hotter in here than a regular sauna. You couldnt see, could hardly breathe and may as well been sitting under a shower with the amount of sweat dripping from our bodies. All whilst covering our boobies from one another (hehe).

One by one we were taken from the hot room of hell to a less hot but still very hot room where we were scrubbed and scrubbed gooooooddddd. The skin that came off was horrendous, I was like a scratch card but only winning in dehydration.

Next was the mud mask, slap slap slap, here, there, bit on the face. Backto the hot room of hell.  Once we couldnt take anymore, rinse, shower, a nice robe and a cup of Moroccan tea on the lounges. All in all a really interesting and great experience, and of course my skin felt incredible.

We headed back to our hotel to meet and debreif before the 10 day tour, Imperrial Cities. The group consisted of myself, JK, LK, Yasmina, Savina, Matty and Josh in our crew, Two New Yorkers, Dan and Dave,  later to join Canadian Byron and Kiwi Ross, lead by the cutest moroccan man to ever walk the planet, Mohamed.

Enjoying a lovely meal together and an early night after watching some ridiculous film (that still gets me cranky!) for an  early start to Casablanca to see the big lovely Hassan 2 Mosque.

For JK and I this was a very unique experience, for everyone else, just a look inside a stunning mosque. The things that happen to the tightasses

In short, a security (?) guard appraoches us, establishes we arent going inside and gives us a sneaky tour. Shows us the big womens wash area, where a lady who spoke no English orders us to stand by that wall and this wall and takes many photos of us. Then we go to the mens wash area, where we can see through the glass panels in the room through to the mosque. Good. Seen it. Now, photo time. Stand there, now here, do this. Be sexy. JK - BUT We're in a mosque?! Ok lets go now. Creeper.

After we pop to Rick's cafe as featured in the film Casablanca. Would have been super great  if I'd seen the movie.  A nice lunch by the beach and a few hours driving dance party to spend the night in Rabat.

Rabat is a big city, the capital and different from everywhere else in 

Morocco, not a huge favourite. I'll be honest and most of the trip mooshes into one big ball of amazing ruins and what not, so what I actually saw in each place is a blur.  Dinner and a non air con room, we were outty for Fes.

On our way to Fes, we have a stop off in Meknes and take a tour of ancient ruins with a very entertaining guide. It was incredible to hear all  the stories and see where all these things unfolded. The romans  did live the high life. The tour was unfortunately all outdoor and one of the hottest days we had in Morocco and I think I may have experienced, ever. (The day Savvvy 'died')

We continued on to Fes and had a great night of dinner and fun entertainment. A magician, numerous belly dancers - who I obviously had to have a boogie with  - and a band, all whilst  eating an  incredible traditional Moroccan meal.  Ending the night with a mock wedding, Matthew marrying four women! Easily one of the best nights in Morocco!

Our full day in Fes was another guided tour of the souks, the largest in Morocco. If it wasnt for the guide, all of us would still be in there now, no doubt about it. Huge and hectic! 

With Fes finished we headed to Midelt, a day of mostly driving. We stopped off to see some wildlife in the form of MONKEYS! Very funny and cute to watch, there was even a little bubba that hung onto mummasback. Sahhh Caauuutttteee.

Once we had arrived at the Casbah, we had a little swim and headed out on a little trek. This trek ended us at (another) stunning gorge. Photos and fun there, some dinner and an early night to prepare for our trip into the Sahara.

A morning of travel and a laze around the pool for a good portion of the day after a stunning lunch, as it was too hot to head into the Sahara until early evening. 

A decent off road ride in our van and we could see the dunes getting bigger before us. It looked so clean and smooth and perfect it could not have been real, a backdrop to a movie. It was incredible.

After getting aquainted with our camels, I named mine Bruce, and off we set. Initially I thought, being on a camel for over an hour the novelty will wear off and ill just be sitting and waiting. No, totally wrong. It still hasn't worn off and the dunes, oohh the dunes. As I said, incredible!

An hour and a half later we arrive at the tiny Berber village and go Sandboarding! (Sand snowboarding hehe) Very fun, getting back up the dune however, not so much.

The sun had soon set and we had a delicous candle lit meal followed by beers, shisha and msuic around the fire. The opening night of Sandstorm. Too much fun. Dancing, singing, dancing, dancing, until who knows what time! Once we had kicked up all the sand and danced ourselves sleepy, we pulled the mattresses from the tents and slept under the stars. Best decision we could have made, at least for me because still to this day I am amazed at the sight of the sky that night. It was ridiculously beautiful. We dont often stop and look at the stars, and in big cities it is hard to see them, but farrrrr outtttt.

Morning very soon came and we hoped back on (not :-( ) our camels watching the sun rise.

The next few days of the tour again, blur into one and with a lot of illness going around it was fairly quiet but still so much fun.

More gorges, rug making factory where they also showed us how to make Mint Tea, a village where Gladiator was filmed and back to Marrakech.

If i continue in even minor detail this is going to be 10,003 pages long, so I'll finish by saying the greatest friends are made on the travel path and this trip was no exception. So much fun, so many laughs and complaints about the heat.

The Group

And, The Best xoxox

Pamplona. Running of the Bulls. An incredible 10 days in Spain. Starting with a super reunion with my one and only London lady love JK.

A little scare thinking we may miss our flight with Rach by our side, we made it and arrived in Bearritz in one piece along with other PP travellers grey shirting it up for this once in a life time 10 day riduclousness. (big sentence)

A little bus ride out of France into Spain, we met our other crew members, some old (Skrillex!) some new and wasted no time getting into the tenting, today only for ourselves. It all started the next day.

All day, tents, Up up. This one has a rip. I dont have enough poles. Its hot. My poles are broken. Anyone got water. Its hot. I need some pegs. Its hot. Its hot. Its hot.

Two days of this with enthusiasm high in the morning and very obviously depleting thorughout the day, we were finally done. Time for the Erection Party!

Super drinking, of what, we dont really know. Sangria-punch made in a garbage container. And punch it most certainly had. Super beer pong, super friends, super nickname giving, super carnage.

This night involved an incredible dancefloor, lots of laughing and two injuries to my body. The first injuring came simply from me laughing, anyone who knows me will understand that I dont take the job of lauhging lightly, head thrown back, whoops trip over a rope. "i'm fine im fine' A little hurt but lets soldier on, wearing most of the contents of my cup on my T-shirt.

Second event Cam and I thought it would be a great idea to whilst he waspiggy backing me, try a third. Logical. Cam jumped on Reubens back, who might I add was sitting on a small but very steep slope. Face, this is ground. Ground, this is face. Chin graze hello!

So the day after carnage we had a free day to explore the city of Pamplona. We had a walking tour and saw where the run would be. Scary stuff, even without bulls and barriers in place. A massive Nanna night for a few of us turned out to be one of the best belly laugh sessions I think I have ever had. I wont go into detail, you wouldnt understand...

Passengers started to arrive and the campsite soon become a drunken Australian land, but all in good fun.

We then had San Fermin, the opening ceremony to the running of the bulls festivities. We all headed into the big town square for what is basically a big fat sangria fight to start the festival. So much sangria, everywhere. So sticky, everywhere. So. Much. Fun.

BEFORE AND AFTER.

San Fermin was over in a flash and we all headed back to camp and jumped in the creek nearby to rinse off and chilled out preparing for the first bull run the next day.

We served breakfast whilst hearing stories and very obviously seeing the adrenlin still running through the veins of those who had run. Intense!

The next morning was our turn to run/watch. Chickening out at the last minute we watched the run on the big screens and all the craziness in the arena.

People rushing into the arena like ants on an ant-hill, Every direction and frantic. Then came the bulls, one by one. Biggggg bulls. These onse hoever ran straight through and guided elsewhere. One by one a steer (young bull) was released into the arena and the persons goal aws to either hit it on the butt or to jump over. Many a hit and trample. Difficult to watch.

After all this had finish we had a quick breakfast in town and headed back to camp and did what we did most of the days - sit in the sun and swim in the creek.

Tents were starting to be pulled down as our time at the festival was drawing to a close and we would move onto the beach camp, near Bilbao. But before this we had one last night of crazy fun and the whole crew went into town to watch the fireworks that occur every night during San Fermin. I have seen a lot of fireworks in my time, and these were definietely some memborable ones. I think company had a big part to play in this too.

After the fireworks we headed out and played in town, dancing the night away. Standard.

Pack down time came and we said goodbye to a few of the crew, goodbye to Camping Ezcaba and piled into the Southern Cross heading for beach camp.

Beach camp was a nice change, very chilled and quiet. Swims in the most delicious water, temperature wise. A few of us headed to dinner  after watching the sunset on top of a hill. Dinner was many laughs and the sad realisation it was all over.