Morocco Adventures, Unexpected Detours & A Very Unfortunate Ending

Sophie Allatt
Jun 12, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Apr 3

June has been chaotic, beautiful, occasionally ridiculous—but absolutely unforgettable.

What began as a solo trip to Morocco took an unexpected (but not unwelcome) turn when Josh spontaneously decided to join me. I'd love to say I hesitated, but truthfully, I was relieved. Partially for safety, partially for the company, and—let's be honest—long-haul travel is just nicer when someone’s there to share the snacks and the mood swings.

Turns out, having him there made all the difference. Because nothing—and I mean nothing—went quite as planned.

From eerily quiet cities during Eid to one traumatic train experience (never again), from a detour into the mountains that turned into a full odyssey to the most spectacular surf town… and yes, culminating in an unfortunate bout of food poisoning that landed me horizontal for three days, this trip was a full-on emotional spectrum. But would I do it all over again? Absolutely.

Casablanca: Eid Silence & Cinematic Beginnings

We landed in Casablanca with visions of lively souks, buzzing cafés, and a heady, cinematic energy. Instead? It was empty. Eid had arrived, and with it, a mass exodus of locals off to celebrate with their families elsewhere. Picture wide avenues, closed shutters, and a stillness that felt oddly peaceful but totally surreal.

And yet, the quiet had its own charm:

We visited the Hassan II Mosque—a marvel of architecture perched on the edge of the Atlantic. Even without the usual foot traffic, it radiated grandeur. Walking barefoot through its vast halls, I felt tiny and awestruck.
Rick’s Café was kitschy and touristy, yes, but we leaned into the Casablanca cliché. It was Josh’s idea, and I have to admit, sipping mint tea while pretending we were in some 1940s noir wasn’t the worst way to spend an afternoon.
One train ride later (delays, heat, mild trauma), we made a pact: that was our first and last railway experience in Morocco. Lesson learned.

Fes: Intensity, Leather & Cultural Whiplash

Fes didn’t just greet us—it came at us like a wave.

The city buzzed with life, colour, and a level of chaos I wasn't entirely prepared for. That said, it delivered some unforgettable moments:

The tanneries were both fascinating and feral. They hand you mint leaves to mask the smell, but nothing prepares you for the full olfactory onslaught of centuries-old leather dyeing. Still, watching the workers from above—vats of colour spread out like a painter’s palette—was genuinely mesmerising.
The Medina? A maze. There were times I was sure we’d never get out. Every corner turned into another twist of spice shops, carpet sellers, and hidden doorways. Josh attempted to navigate. I mostly spun around and pointed at things.
And yes, we witnessed a full-on lamb sacrifice. It was Eid. It was confronting. But it was also deeply moving in its own way—an honest glimpse into something completely outside my day-to-day.

Fes was hot, intense, and not for the faint of heart—but it was also utterly alive. And by the time we left, I kind of missed the madness.

Chefchaouen: Dreamy Blues & Mountain Dreams

After Fes, Chefchaouen was like stepping into a fairytale. The entire town shimmered in soft indigo and periwinkle, and every alleyway felt like it had been curated by Instagram itself.

It was restful. Quiet. Beautiful in that sleepy, small-town way. And then we met a local who changed everything.

They told us about Achkour, a hidden mountain oasis called the ‘Breath of the Gods’. Naturally, we had to go.

Cue: an eight-hour drive through winding roads, questionable signage, and a soundtrack made up of 90s R&B and one slightly tense argument about which mountain pass was safer.

But when we arrived? Magic:

Turquoise waterfalls.
Still, clear pools carved into the rock.
Birds overhead, plenty of locals, but an overwhelming sense of peace.

We stayed until the light dipped low, swam and dived off rocks with a bunch of small kids, and both agreed it was one of the best decisions we’d made.

Marrakech: Chaos, Colour & Rooftop Escapes

From there, we flew to Marrakech (because, again, trains were banned).

This city hit all the senses:

The Medina was a relentless flirt—spices, textiles, leather, perfumes. Everything was bold, loud, and negotiating was practically a sport. Josh, annoyingly, was brilliant at it. I got fleeced on a pair of earrings but at least they were cute.
A hike in the Atlas Mountains gave us much-needed stillness. Crisp air, snow-dusted peaks, and the kind of views that make your phone camera feel wildly inadequate.
And the rooftop bars? Actual heaven. One golden sunset, one Negroni too many, and an impromptu heart-to-heart that reminded me why I’d let Josh tag along in the first place.

Marrakech was a fever dream, and I mean that in the best way.

Taghazout: Surf, Chill Vibes & Complete Collapse

Our final stop: Taghazout. This sleepy surf town on the Atlantic coast was everything we needed by then—warm breezes, soft sand, lazy mornings.

We surfed. (Badly.) We napped in hammocks. We strolled the beach at golden hour. It was like a hazy detox for the mind.

Then Josh flew back to London.

And I… did not.

The Food Poisoning Debacle

My farewell meal—a seafood tagine that looked divine—came back to haunt me. I woke up at 4am in agony, with a flight to catch and no chance of boarding it.

So I stayed. Three more days. Curled up in a surf camp bed, sipping bottled water and questioning all my life choices.

The silver lining? I had a private room, a fan, and a very sympathetic staff who brought me mint tea and electrolyte sachets like clockwork.

The flight home, once I could stand again, was a blur. I don’t remember much. But I made it.

Mindset: Chaos, Gratitude & The Good Kind of Unravelling

This trip tested me in ways I didn’t expect. It reminded me that beauty often lies in the mess—in the missed trains, the language gaps, the wrong turns that lead to waterfalls.

Things I’m holding onto:

Say yes more often.
Let the detours happen.
Don’t romanticise street seafood.
It’s okay to not have a plan.

Also: I think I finally understand what people mean when they say travel changes you. Not in a big, dramatic way. But in tiny, quiet shifts that sneak up on you.

Pop Culture, Trends & What’s Happening Right Now

The ‘Coastal Cowgirl’ aesthetic is in full swing—linen shirts, messy braids, vintage boots.
‘Mob Wife Summer’ isn’t going anywhere—big gold hoops, animal print, attitude.
‘The Idol’ is making everyone wildly uncomfortable, but we’re all still watching.
Festival season has officially begun. Glastonbury FOMO is real.
Pistachio everything is trending—from drinks to handbags to nail polish.