MOROCCO (and an update)

So I haven't been around for a while and if you saw my last post it's because for the majority of the time I've been in Morocco! I went for my two week family holiday and it was wonderful. I'd never been before but it always sounded like such an exotic and beautiful place to visit. And it really was. It was like a whole other world and it was a real eye opener to how other people live. I went during Ramadan and so I really got to see the Islamic religion (and the culture that comes with it) in all its glory. I know we have Muslims living in Britain but being in a predominantly Muslim country, I got to see the highs and lows of the celebration including the feasts and parties they have once the tough time of fasting has finished!

Now I don't have pictures from every single day nor would I show you them all (that would be far too many photos for one post!) but my parents and I actually went on a few excursions (organised through Thomson) as I really enjoy exploring the countries I'm lucky enough to visit. Therefore I thought I'd show you the photos from those days!

The first trip we went on was to the Cascades of Ouzoud. These cascades are just some natural waterfalls and they're absolutely beautiful. Our tour guide allowed us to visit them from both above and at water level which was amazing. Once we reached the bottom we even managed to get a ride, on what seemed like man made rafts, 'up close and personal' with the waterfall which was definitely an experience I won't be forgetting any time soon.

Later on in the holiday, we did some half day trips that really took us into the depths of Marrakesh, including the old city. We went on a history tour around a mosque, a Riad (a type of house in Morocco which is disguised as old and plain on the outside but inside they are so much more beautiful with a courtyard garden) and a palace where a president used to live (if i listened correctly...). Then my mum and I went on a tour around the souk but unfortunately I wasn't able to get any pictures as I didn't take my camera with me. It was an 'interesting' experience to say the least but one that I am glad I experienced! The final half day trip was around the 'hidden' gardens of the city. One of the ones we saw was at Yves Saint Laurent's house which included a memorial for the designer. I didn't even know he had a house in Morocco so I definitely felt privileged to wander around his garden!

For our final adventure we took a trip up into the Atlas Mountains. The trip involved clambering into some 4x4 jeeps and taking the dusty, dirty track into the old Berber villages. The views were honestly spectacular and I think they are very much hidden behind the main hustle and bustle of Marrakesh - I know I certainly wasn't expecting to see such stunning scenery.

There we are then, our adventures in Morocco! I had the most amazing time there and I would love to visit again! Perhaps stay in a city nearer the sea and just explore the Moroccan culture a little more? I would wholeheartedly recommend visiting this beautiful country and maybe travelling around a bit because I know that Casablanca is much more modern whereas you can see more of the old Berber 'ways' in Marrakesh.

Sorry if this post is extremely long for you but well done for getting this far! It's taken a long time for this post to come but I have in fact been very busy so I thought I'd give you all a little update on where my life has been recently...

• Shortly after arriving back from Morocco (9 hours to be precise), I caught the train to Wales to celebrate my friend Eliza's birthday. She is the baby of our group and so was very relieved to finally turn 18! If you're interested in seeing any of the pictures from the Hawaaian themed BBQ she had, then check out my Instagram (bethsutton_)! 
• After 2 days in Wales, my friends and I returned home to spend a very anxious night, not sleeping, as we waited for our A Level results. Last Thursday was the day I found out whether I would be getting into university. So at 8 o'clock I very nervously logged on to find out that I had indeed managed to secure myself a place at university. It's safe to say that I was extremely happy and I cannot wait to move to my new home in September! Later on that day I found out I had managed to get an A*, an A and 2 C's which I am very happy about! But it isn't just about me, if you too got into university and the results you wanted then congratulations! Here's to our exciting futures! :)
• Anyway, after those exciting few days, I thought I may actually be able to sit down and write a post. However, the lack of sleep I had had finally caught up on me and I managed to gain myself a 14 hour (!!!) nap! I'm not sure how I slept that long and I definitely didn't intend to! I simply went for a nap at 6 o'clock and woke up the next day to go to work! Safe to say I felt very refreshed afterwards though!
• Yesterday was back to work for me and it certainly took it out of me which is why there was no post then. Also, my camera/laptop was taking forever to upload the pictures so I ended up having to give up and go to bed, unfortunately.

However, I'm here now and back for a little while! Again, apologies for the extremely long post but I had a lot to update you on! I'm now off to bed as I've just finished watching Les Miserables. I've seen it at the theatre before but hadn't seen the film yet. It was amazing and definitely up there in my top favourite films! I tried reading the book last year but couldn't get past the first 10 or so chapters (which were all about a monk and not at all related to the stage play - very strange...) but I may give it another go now I've watched the film :)