Left the Marriott after pleasant breakfast and rode the transfer bus to Gatwick North terminal. Bit of a walk from the bus stop to the terminal, but needed something to work off the full English. After dropping off our bags, a visit to the duty free shopping area was in order, and then on to the Club lounge for coffee and nibbles with a view overlooking the airport apron in glorious autumn sunshine. Plenty of children in the lounge, some accompanied by au pairs (from east of Sheerness again) I would imagine heading off to the sun somewhere. Noticed that Orlando flights were delayed, probably as a result of Sandy the storm.
Made our way to the gate around 25 minutes prior to departure and as soon as we got to the barrier staff there called for those in our row to board first. So without any hesitation we boarded an almost empty aircraft in a very relaxed manner. Sitting in our seats, the remaining passengers boarded, and we departed approximately 5 minutes delayed. Steady and comfortable flight, with a few gin and tonics, and a curry lunch (good job as will become evident later).
Arrived in Marrakech and on breaking through the cloud it was evident that there had been some rain during the day. After landing cleared passport control, baggage reclaim and customs within half an hour and were met by Abdul, pick up arranged with the hotel, who escorted us through the car part to his Mercedes van. He advised us not to worry about the rain, it only rains for a little while. Journey to the hotel was relatively trouble free, but a number of people did seem to be getting in the way of our driver, pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers. Noticed a rather large structure which looked like a palm tree, which Abdul informed us was a mast for the mobile phone services. A brilliant disguise. On the way to the hotel he pointed out a number of landmarks, including Jemaa el Fna which even in the rain was swarming with people. Abdul dropped us off as near to the hotel as possible informing us that the remainder of the journey would have to be made with the aid of a boy with a barrow (an old man as it turned out), and the cost would be 20 dirhams. It became clear during the course of the journey that one boy would not be sufficient for this task however as a hanger on, who I would guess to be about forty years his junior, would also be required to walk behind the working barrow boy and he would not be dismissed until he too had received payment, 15 dirhams in his case.
Arrived at Dar Charkia, greeted with mint tea, followed by a comprehensive briefing by our hostess advising us of places worth going to, eating at, how much to pay for taxis, snake charmers, henna ladies and local foods off the stalls. Still raining and the property;s courtyard, which would normally be open to the sky, was covered by a plastic tarpaulin with an integrated plastic pipe to funnel the run off to a drain on the floor. After a significant information overload we made our way up to our room to freshen up and change to go out for dinner.
Never happened. Due to the ferocity of the rain and the darkness we decided to stay at the dar, and had a beer and nuts.
