Morocco Magic: Why I Can’t Wait to Return and Slow Down
The Moroccan desert at dawn — where silence, sun, and endless dunes meet.
Morocco Reminded Me Why I Started Ubuntu & Beyond
Last year, I hopped on a plane for what turned out to be one of the most dazzling, colorful, and slightly dizzying trips of my life: a 10-day adventure through Morocco with Contiki.
It was a whirlwind—one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” journeys where every day brought a new city, a new sight, and a thousand new colors and scents. I absolutely loved it. But it also left me with a deep desire to go back… and do it all over again at half the speed.
Marrakesh: Chaos and Charm
Our journey began—and ended—in Marrakesh, and the moment we arrived, it felt like I’d stepped into another world.
The streets twisted like a labyrinth. The medina pulsed with life. Everywhere I turned, baskets were piled high with spices, the sharp scent of leather filled the air, and flashes of brightly patterned tiles caught my eye.
We crammed a lot into those first days—touring opulent palaces, wandering markets where vendors called out “Hello my friend!” at every turn, and finding quiet moments in hidden courtyards.
Throughout the trip, Marrakesh kept drawing me back. Between market strolls and palace tours, I found myself sitting for delicate henna designs, floral patterns winding across my hands in dark, fragrant dye—a way of carrying a piece of Morocco home with me.
On our second-to-last night, I joined a cooking class in a local home, learning how to stir fragrant tagines and roll couscous by hand. It felt like a tiny peek behind the curtain of Moroccan life—a glimpse I wished could have lasted longer.
Then, on our final morning, we said farewell to Morocco in the most magical way. Before sunrise, we floated high above Marrakesh in a hot air balloon, watching the desert transform into waves of pink and gold as the city slowly woke beneath us.
Casablanca, Rabat & Chefchaouen: A Blur of Beauty
From Marrakesh, we moved fast.
In Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque took my breath away with its sheer scale and delicate carvings. In Rabat, we wandered ancient kasbahs painted in soft whites and blues, feeling history woven into every alley.
But it was Chefchaouen that truly stole my heart. I’ll never forget arriving and looking out over the town sprawled beneath the mountains, every rooftop shimmering in shades of blue under the sun.
The entire town is painted in powder blue, sky blue, cobalt. Walking its quiet lanes felt like stepping into a dream. I wandered narrow streets where sunlight glowed off painted walls, and every corner revealed another splash of color. Even the steps seemed to ripple like water beneath my feet. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to put your phone away and simply breathe it in.
The Sahara: Stars, Silence, and Sunrise Magic
The highlight of the entire trip was our time in the Sahara Desert.
A caravan’s quiet silhouette stretches across golden sands at sunrise.
We rode camels into the dunes near Merzouga, the orange sands rolling out endlessly in every direction. As the sun dipped lower, the desert seemed to glow from within, shifting through shades of gold and amber.
At night, we gathered around a campfire beneath a sky so thick with stars it felt almost unreal.
Our Berber guides played drums, the sand felt cool beneath my feet, and for a moment, everything was perfectly still.
But the real magic came the next morning.
Caught between night and day, holding the glow of a desert sunrise.
I woke before sunrise, while everyone else was still asleep. I slipped outside into the cool, silent desert, climbed a dune, and watched the first pale light creep over the horizon. The sky shifted from deep indigo to rose gold, painting the sand in soft, delicate hues. It felt like I’d wandered into a movie—a scene entirely my own.
During our time in the Sahara, we didn’t just see the desert—we played in it. We rode camels, sledded down towering dunes, and raced dune buggies across the sands, grinning beneath our helmets as we flew over ripples of golden earth. One of my favorite little moments was seeing my name written in Arabic letters in the sand—a small gesture that made me feel incredibly welcomed and connected to this vast place.
A simple desert breakfast — mint tea, laughter, and warmth shared under woven walls.
It was exhilarating and peaceful all at once. I remember thinking: This is why people travel. For mornings like this—and nights like those.
Morocco: Luxury, Budget, and Sensory Overload
The scent, the color, the chaos: Fès tanneries are Morocco in full sensory overload.
One of the things I love most about Morocco is how incredibly flexible it is for travelers.
You can explore Morocco on a tight budget—staying in charming, simple riads, savoring street food for just a few dollars, and wandering souks that cost nothing more than your curiosity. Or you can indulge in absolute luxury—opulent riads with mosaic courtyards, private guides, lavish hammams, and Michelin-worthy dining experiences.
No matter how you choose to travel, Morocco delivers a sensory adventure unlike anywhere else.
Fez especially felt like the artistic soul of Morocco. I spent hours wandering workshops and tucked-away ateliers, watching artisans at work.
I loved seeing the craftsmanship behind Morocco’s famous leather goods. In one shop, I met the kindest gentleman who helped me choose a black leather jacket. The artisans took my measurements right there in the shop and delivered it to me that same night. It doesn’t get much wear these days—Durban doesn’t exactly call for leather jackets—but it’s a piece I’ll always treasure for how beautifully it’s made, and for the memory stitched into every seam.
Beyond leather, Fez is famed for its intricate tilework. I visited a tile workshop where artisans sat cross-legged, chipping tiny pieces of clay into perfect geometric shapes. Outside, hundreds of fresh tiles lay drying in the sun before they’d be glazed and transformed into brilliant mosaics. Watching their careful precision was mesmerizing. It made me appreciate how even the smallest details in Moroccan design carry centuries of skill and tradition.
We also explored workshops where potters shaped clay into elegant bowls and plates on spinning wheels, their hands and aprons dusted white with fine clay dust. Each piece felt like a small work of art.
And of course, the markets of Fez were alive with color and scent. Spices stacked high in rainbow pyramids, scarves hanging like bright silk ribbons, and stalls filled with jars of herbal remedies said to cure everything from headaches to heartbreak.
The smells alone are unforgettable: warm cinnamon, sharp saffron, earthy cumin, fragrant orange blossom, and that rich scent of leather that clings to the air in the souks.
Morocco feels like stepping into an ancient story—and becoming part of it.
Why I Want to Return—and Go Slower
My Contiki trip was the perfect introduction to Morocco—it gave me a taste of so many places and the thrill of experiencing it all with new friends. But I came home knowing I’d only scratched the surface.
Next time, I want to travel slower.
Blue upon blue — Chefchaouen’s winding alleys feel like stepping into a dream.
I want to spend entire mornings wandering Marrakesh’s markets with no agenda. I want to linger in hammams, sip mint tea on rooftop terraces, and watch the sunrise over Chefchaouen without having to pack my bag an hour later.
Marrakesh pulses with life, each corner a new story waiting to be discovered.
And most of all, I want to share it with my husband.
Morocco is the kind of place that begs to be experienced together. There’s something about its spirit—generous, layered, a little wild—that feels like the perfect backdrop for creating memories as a couple. I want him to see the dunes glowing at sunset, taste warm bread fresh from a village oven, and feel the hush of a thousand stars in the desert sky.
My Morocco Wishlist
When we go back, here’s what’s on my list:
On my list for next time: sunrise over Merzouga’s dunes with mint tea in hand.
Slow mornings in Marrakesh—no tours, just wandering wherever the day takes us.
Cooking classes in Fès or Marrakesh—learning to make zaalouk, harira, and perfect fluffy couscous side by side.
And then, there’s the desert….
Desert sunrises in Merzouga—tea in hand, dunes glowing gold.
A longer stay in Chefchaouen—to wander the blue lanes together, no schedule, no hurry.
Hammam afternoons—soaking, scrubbing, and emerging soft as silk.
Local connections—spending time with Berber families to learn their traditions and stories.
What Morocco Gave Me
Morocco gave me the gift of sensory overload—in the best possible way. It taught me that there’s beauty in chaos, that sweetness can follow spice, and that sometimes the best adventures are the ones that leave you yearning for more.
But more than anything, writing this blog about Morocco is reminding me why I started Ubuntu & Beyond.
Morocco’s beauty lies in grand places and quiet moments — a journey I can’t wait to continue.
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about connection—to the people you love, to cultures that expand your worldview, and to traditions that make you feel both humbled and inspired.
Morocco is a place that invites you to slow down, to be curious, and to open your heart.
And I can’t wait to return—to share it with my husband, to soak up its magic more deeply, and to keep exploring the world in a way that feels grounded, intentional, and true to the spirit of ubuntu: I am because we are.
Sunset with new friends in the Sahara.
Planning Your Moroccan Adventure?
If Morocco is calling to you—whether you’re dreaming of a fast-paced tour, a slow, soulful journey, or a shared adventure with someone you love—I’d be honored to help you craft your perfect experience.
Let’s plan your story together.
