Leaving for Morocco on Sunday!
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:44 AM
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Leaving for Morocco on Sunday!
We're leaving for our two week trip to Morocco this Sunday and are quite excited......and in the throes of packing. I've been watching the weather there on Weather Underground, and it's been quite cool most places. But because we're going sort of "all over", we're going to have to take a variety of clothes (and still try to pack light!). The most difficult decision for me has been shoes..........I've got my Keen's sandals, which I can wear with or without socks, and a pair of walking (not "hiking") shoes. Also thought I'd take a pair of comfortable flat MaryJane type shoes. I'm also in a quandary about what hat to take; I'm leaning toward the less "cool looking" but more protective one with the brim all the way around.
Any thoughts or advice?
KathyN
Any thoughts or advice?
KathyN
Mar 25th, 2010, 04:58 PM
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Hi Kathy, We're leaving for same on March 30th! I have been packing today, and, like you, shoes are the quandry. I just spent a lot of time on my own photo site to see what I wore to Tanzania. I've decided (at this moment) to bring my with- or-without-socks Chaco sandals, and either my beat up creme walking shoes or my beat up WHITE (!) athletic shoes
I decided on 3 skirts, one zip-off pants, and one capri and an assortment of "modest", mostly cool shirts. I included one cozy old cashmere sweater and a turtleneck dickie in case we have a cold night or two...especially in the Sahara and in Rabat/Midelt area
Not sure where you've checked for the weather, but on weather.com today, I found temps from low to mid-60's at the coolest, and 85 in Marrakesh. It could get into the low 50's at night, so I do want to be prepared. I'll have a lightweight fleece half-zip and a windbreaker to pile on the layers.
Exciting, isn't it? We are going with OAT. How about you? Any tips you want to share, comments? Have you heard if mosquitos or other bugs are a problem? Any Fodorites out there with that info?
Are you going to Essaouria? We aren't, but wanted to. The pre-trip just seemed too pricey for what we got, and I couldn't seem to arrange a good air schedule to do outside trips on our own.
I decided on 3 skirts, one zip-off pants, and one capri and an assortment of "modest", mostly cool shirts. I included one cozy old cashmere sweater and a turtleneck dickie in case we have a cold night or two...especially in the Sahara and in Rabat/Midelt area
Not sure where you've checked for the weather, but on weather.com today, I found temps from low to mid-60's at the coolest, and 85 in Marrakesh. It could get into the low 50's at night, so I do want to be prepared. I'll have a lightweight fleece half-zip and a windbreaker to pile on the layers.
Exciting, isn't it? We are going with OAT. How about you? Any tips you want to share, comments? Have you heard if mosquitos or other bugs are a problem? Any Fodorites out there with that info?
Are you going to Essaouria? We aren't, but wanted to. The pre-trip just seemed too pricey for what we got, and I couldn't seem to arrange a good air schedule to do outside trips on our own.
Mar 25th, 2010, 06:21 PM
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Hi, MakingHay (great name!) We are going on a tour of "our own", booked through Marrakesh Voyage; it will be just the two of us (my husband and me)with our driver/guide, and in the Imperial Cities we will have "registered guides", I believe. We'll be gone two weeks, which translates to about 12-13 days there. Your packing list sounds reasonable to me; I'm not a big skirt person, so I'm packing several types of slacks and modest shirts/tops. From what I've read, we will be treated with more respect if we respect the Moroccan customs of dress, so I'd rather be conservative. As to weather, I've seen from 50 to 90+, so I'm going to try to be ready for anything! what is your photo site; I'm really excited about photography, and I'm looking forward to this trip in particular photographically, so I'd love to see whatever you've captured from previous trips.
KathyN
KathyN
Mar 25th, 2010, 08:38 PM
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You flatter me...my photos are only on my computer. I never get around to doing anything with them. Actually, I'm pretty technophobic, so I'll ask my husband how you'd look at them. I do take great photos though...usually. Warning: There are hundreds....several countries, and not really carefully edited to make them user friendly. Sorry.
Your trip sounds a lot like ours, though we'll have 14 trip-mates. We do really enjoy making new friends on these trips. We'll have to compare notes in late April...if I remember to come back to this! Guess I'll just take along the insect repellent, just in case, unless someone else answers.
Have a wonderful time. Hope that our cameras don't malfunction...I,too, am really looking forward to all that beautiful architecture and scenery, and the people, of course.
Your trip sounds a lot like ours, though we'll have 14 trip-mates. We do really enjoy making new friends on these trips. We'll have to compare notes in late April...if I remember to come back to this! Guess I'll just take along the insect repellent, just in case, unless someone else answers.
Have a wonderful time. Hope that our cameras don't malfunction...I,too, am really looking forward to all that beautiful architecture and scenery, and the people, of course.
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:04 PM
#7
If you want Morocco photos mine are here: http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/L...d-Morocco-2008
The only time I had trouble with insects was in a really bad hotel in Casablanca, but I was there in November (gory details in my TR - http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...can-medley.cfm ).
The only time I had trouble with insects was in a really bad hotel in Casablanca, but I was there in November (gory details in my TR - http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...can-medley.cfm ).
Mar 26th, 2010, 09:48 AM
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Kathy & makinghay - hope you'll come back here after your trip & give a little report. There's so little on Morocco on fodors. My husband & I leave in early May and we'd love to hear any tips you'd care to share when you return.
Mar 26th, 2010, 08:32 PM
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I promise to do a report. I have used this site for research and support, and from what I can see this one is mostly "people", not people doing ads or touts! I looked and looked all over the Internet for answers to my questions about Morocco, and it's hard to find the real answers. So I WILL come back to answer questions, and also to do a report.
KathyN
KathyN
Mar 28th, 2010, 04:56 AM
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We go on the 7th - into Rabat -
I started planning this so long ago; hard to believe it's finally almost time. Now for the dreaded packing....(yes it takes me just about a month to figure it out!)
Have fun!
I started planning this so long ago; hard to believe it's finally almost time. Now for the dreaded packing....(yes it takes me just about a month to figure it out!)
Have fun!
Mar 28th, 2010, 09:17 AM
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Leslie - As soon as I mail off my taxes (Monday - yeah!) I need to get down to serious planning. I'm thinking Central Asia, South India and Sri Lanka.... I'd like to add Iran or Tibet but the visa situation likely isn't good for either right now. Maybe Nepal. Thanks for asking.
Apr 8th, 2010, 06:39 AM
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<<Makinghay: I am scheduled for the same trip with OAT with the pre-trip to Essaouira this September.>>
I did the OAT trip in October a few years ago and it was pretty warm and downright hot in the desert but weather varies so it might be cooler this year.
We didn't need a lot of clothes. I did not bring any skirts (a couple of women wore skirts to the farewell dinner but wore long pants or capris the rest of the trip). I wore long pants throughout the trip -- linen and cotton and linen and cotton long-sleeve, lightweight shirts. The loose linen were the most comfortable.
I always wear a sweater or jacket on flights so had one with me but never wore it during the trip. I sometimes wore a short sleeve T-shirt with a long sleeve shirt over and brought a very lightweight tunic top for the farewell dinner. You can buy pretty embroidered tops in Marrakesh for that.
Shoes: You will be walking through sand and dirt so wear comfortable walking shoes. Walking sandals are okay in the cities but we had to walk through some muddy water at Ait Ben--- and it's not a good idea to get your feet wet. I brought old sneakers and wore them in the desert and for the camel ride. One woman wore hiking boots. I think one or two women had zip off pants and wore shorts in the desert. Some wore capri pants throughout the trip and I wished I'd brought one pair.
Essential: hat, sunblock, scarf, loose, comfortable clothing, socks and sneakers or walking shoes, water bottle, rubber shower shoes, especially for the shower in the desert, second pair of shoes, walking or sandals and a light jacket in case of cool weather at night.
Someone suggested using an umbrella, which is fine but I prefer a hat to have both hands free.
It was a great trip in a beautiful country; I'd go again if OAT changed the itinerary a bit. You'll have a wonderful time in Morocco.
I did the OAT trip in October a few years ago and it was pretty warm and downright hot in the desert but weather varies so it might be cooler this year.
We didn't need a lot of clothes. I did not bring any skirts (a couple of women wore skirts to the farewell dinner but wore long pants or capris the rest of the trip). I wore long pants throughout the trip -- linen and cotton and linen and cotton long-sleeve, lightweight shirts. The loose linen were the most comfortable.
I always wear a sweater or jacket on flights so had one with me but never wore it during the trip. I sometimes wore a short sleeve T-shirt with a long sleeve shirt over and brought a very lightweight tunic top for the farewell dinner. You can buy pretty embroidered tops in Marrakesh for that.
Shoes: You will be walking through sand and dirt so wear comfortable walking shoes. Walking sandals are okay in the cities but we had to walk through some muddy water at Ait Ben--- and it's not a good idea to get your feet wet. I brought old sneakers and wore them in the desert and for the camel ride. One woman wore hiking boots. I think one or two women had zip off pants and wore shorts in the desert. Some wore capri pants throughout the trip and I wished I'd brought one pair.
Essential: hat, sunblock, scarf, loose, comfortable clothing, socks and sneakers or walking shoes, water bottle, rubber shower shoes, especially for the shower in the desert, second pair of shoes, walking or sandals and a light jacket in case of cool weather at night.
Someone suggested using an umbrella, which is fine but I prefer a hat to have both hands free.
It was a great trip in a beautiful country; I'd go again if OAT changed the itinerary a bit. You'll have a wonderful time in Morocco.
Apr 8th, 2010, 09:24 AM
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Luisah - Thanks so much for all that info you provided.
I kind of agree with your assessment of clothing - cool and comfortable are the way to go.
I didn't think of the rubber shoes for the shower - good tip. I think my Tevas should work.
How did you do with the food? Were you extra careful? I was in Egypt last year (also with OAT) and we were sooo careful as to what we ate so as not to get sick.
Did you like the guides?
Was this your first OAT trip? If not, how did it compare with others that you were on?
I kind of agree with your assessment of clothing - cool and comfortable are the way to go.
I didn't think of the rubber shoes for the shower - good tip. I think my Tevas should work.
How did you do with the food? Were you extra careful? I was in Egypt last year (also with OAT) and we were sooo careful as to what we ate so as not to get sick.
Did you like the guides?
Was this your first OAT trip? If not, how did it compare with others that you were on?
