Been

The sky over the sea is pale blue, cumulus clouds hang over the hills that line our route. The greenery is lush from a distance, up close hardier. Our shuttle pulls over and up ahead I can see the sign that says Diaos Cove. We’ve arrived

I’ve looked forward to this trip for ages, hopes and dreams about breaking the bank and coming home with a million dollars. Since you’re only allowed to take $10,000 out of the country, I’m not sure how that can be done, but since five of us travelled, I figured spreading it around the group would help ease any customs worries. Still, the infamous Las Vegas strip beckoned, a 5 day 4 night stay in one of the city’s most prominent and brightest hotel the Venetian. ...

Do you know what a six-second pour is? If you don’t then perhaps you should go on a cheap Gran Canaria holiday and watch the bar staff. They pour large measures there, but that not the only reason to visit the beautiful islands off the north coast of Africa. There is some quite drastic scenery, and the people there welcome you with smiles and laughter when you visit. Gran Canaria weather is hot and dry. ...

Once again the early morning was bracing and dark. Leaving home at 5am is not pleasant, least of all because I never usually sleep the night before flying, for fear of oversleeping and missing my flight. I made the exception this time and caught two hours kip before loading up my Jeep and setting off to pick up my two comrades. The prime reason for this trip was to celebrate the 40th birthday of my friend who lives in the USA and who have not had the opportunity to visit many European cities before. ...

Where did day three go? Our fourth day in Morocco saw us venture to the coastal town of Essaouira. From Marrakech it had been a three and half hour drive along relatively quiet roads through the desert, passing through 3-4 large cities on the way. This did include stops at an Argan Community Co-op, and strangely by a man who had positioned his goats in a tree and who then flagged down passing tour groups so that we could photograph the ‘spectacle’. ...

This was a funny day for complete banal reasons. Our second day in Morocco began after breakfast with a saunter out to Mohammed V Avenue in search of the Marrakesh‎ Tour bus, but was approached by a taxi driver who offered to tour us for 200 dirhams (again is this the standard rate?). Given the 10 minute trip Marrakesh‎, I really didn’t. Where you someone who watch the series Quantum Leap? ...

Bleary-eyed, my Nokia alarm woke me at around 4am so that I could roll off my suitcases and finish zipping the last of what I need to take with me into the case. I couldn’t really think, my hair was a mess, I didn’t get a chance to wash it, so I tied it under a bandana shoved my hat on it and thanked the Lord above that I had decided to bathe before going to sleep. ...