May your camel spit away from you

Were now in Marrakech; a very cosmopolitan city where the older, traditional Morocco rubs shoulders with the newer, westernised Morocco - literally. A collection of beggars and street kids congregate outside McDonalds where well-dressed city types bustle pass trying to ignore them.

But its taken us five days, about a thousand kilometres and dodging three dodgy policemen and their 400 dirham fines to get here. It was a trip filled with exciting, nerve wracking moments and some of the most beautiful ever-changing landscapes weve seen. And a lot of dromaderies. Thats camel to you.

We left Fes and went south to Meknes and the ancient Roman ruins at Volibilis. With very few tourists and no hassle we wandered throught the baths, the crumbling baslica, the forum and ancient houses.

Over the next days we continued through the snow-capped Atlas mountains, across the red, dry flat plains and into the desert. We took a three-hour camel trek into the edge of the desert. We then journeyed past brown, mud-brick kasbahs and palm groves beside flowing streams.

Along the road, we were stopped for the first speeding fine. The Pay Now approach seemed suspicious and we were willing to pay with our credit card. The officer let us off, but not before enquiring if we had cigarettes or alcohol to help us on our way.

Over the next days, we passed through the towering Todra Gorge, the Draa Valley and over the dizzying heights of the mountains into Marrekech. We were stopped along the way four our second speeding fine. This time we knew the drill and when the 400 Dirham fine was mentioned we eagerly offered our credit card once again. He waved us away with a disapointed smile.

We arrived in Marrakech last night and were about 100 metres from the Hertz office when we were pulled over again. The friendly officer tapped his right arm indicating that he needed help distinguishing between left and right. At the sight of our credit card the disapointment was palpable. So he waved us away after trying half-heartedly to get his 400Dr fine. We were relieved to have the car off our hands.

Were now happily road fodder negotiating the traffic on foot. Off to mix it in the Marrakech medina.