And that is going to be our room! Cute, huh?
It all started when Pip and I went on the unplanned road trip last October (for those who weren’t here at the time, here is Part One and Part Two) … the running joke was that, since there was no plan, that we should just hop on a ferry and go to Morocco. And we might have actually done it if we’d had more than one night away, but Pip had to get back. And so we decided that we would definitely have to go to Morocco before I started chemo again, maybe for my birthday. But as you all know now, things have changed since then…
After that it was going to be a trip to celebrate being well again, with Pablo as our guide and Nog also coming with us. But then it wouldn’t stop raining, and Pip only had this one weekend coming up when she could spend a bit more time away, but Nog had to work and then Pablo made other plans because he thought we weren’t going … so it’ll be just me and Pip again.
After so much hemming and hawing about this trip (for months now!) in the end it all got organised very quickly. Yesterday morning I went down to a travel agent near my house that specialises in cheap weekend trips to Tangier, but it was a real shitbag of a hotel they were offering, so I came home and got online. And, compared to the cheap rate, for not that much more we’ve actually ended up with a much prettier hotel (actually,a riad) that is – get this – in the Kasbah! So what the hell. It’s not every day you celebrate not having cancer anymore. 🙂
This is the place … La Tangerina. The website has lots of photos and a 360º thingy for seeing all the rooms there (click on “Visit the Hotel”). And although we won’t be staying in Room 10 (that one is fabulous!) ours looks very cute and cosy.
Yesterday I received a belated cash birthday prezzie from Carmen, and there is still a little left from a “mad money” gift that Sara sent me a few months ago – and I’m sure I’m going to have to fight with Pip to pay for anything (though I’ve been getting better at that lately) – so I don’t feel guilty about going on a short holiday. In fact, I am so excited I can barely sit still. And the weather forecast looks perfect.We’re leaving Friday morning and will be back on Sunday evening.
I’d better start packing! 
casa azahar 
Excellent!!! Enjoy – you deserve this.
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WOW! That is some hotel! I anticipate many wonderful photos!
Enjoy yourselves!
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Mmmm…. Morocco… it’s on my list
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Oo. I second the many wonderful photos thing!
(mmm, couscous…)
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How marvellous! I look forward to seeing all your photos and hearing your descriptions of what looks like an amazing place. Bon voyage!
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The thing about the Tangerina hotel is that the very cute room we got is only 5 euros more than the rooms at the shitbag one, but we’ll have to pay more for the ferry now that we aren’t doing a package deal. Still worth it, I think.
We also want to go to Asilah on Saturday. It comes highly recommended by Dr A (El Viajero) who says it’s one of his favourite places and that it’s easy and cheap to get there by taxi from Tangier.
In fact, I’m having a class with Dr A this evening (he’s my ONE class of the week) and so I will ask him to recommend places to visit and also some good restaurants.
This feels like Christmas! Honestly, I feel like a little kid and can’t wait for Friday to come. 🙂
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It’s never too early (or late) for Christmas.
I am surprised that you would rather spend “Christmas” in Morocco than in … say… Ottawa… Lol…
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Don’t forget your (valid) passport!!!!
Hahahahahahahahaha!
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Sounds like a fun trip! Looking forward to seeing the pics.
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Well, I had a fun day. First yoga, then prepared a belated birthday lunch for Pablo, then met with Dr A for a class in which we mostly talked about Morocco … so now it’s just two more sleeps before The Trip. 🙂
Laugh away, zoomer … this morning I put my (valid) passport in my bag so as not to forget it. Live and learn, eh?
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Oh, that is so exciting. I can’t wait to read all about it. And see photos. Have a fabulous time!
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I am so excited for you! Off to Morocco to celebrate not having cancer any more. Less than a year ago Jim and I came to Seville to visit and everything regarding your cancer, treatment and recovery has happened since that time. What a whirlwind your life has become.
Have fun, and “Here’s looking at you, kid!”
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The cheapest meal I ever had was in Casablanca. Roast chicken for three at a pavement cafe. They brought out an entire carcass.
The total cost was 70 dirahm (spelling?). We gave them 100. There were approximately 11 dirahm to the euro at the time, so that comes out as under a tenner including the tip!
Fascinating place, but I’d love to go again with more preparation. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and we had no idea what to expect.
Have fun! And report back.
TRiG.
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Go crazy!!! It sounds liek you deserve to have an adventure.
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Well … we’re here!
It’s been quite a fabulous adventure so far. And the hotel is even more charming than it looks on the website. Our room too – it’s adorable!
Pip is just “upstairs” lying down after our two-hour after-lunch walk (lots of hills here). By chance we happened into one of the restaurants that Pablo had recommended and had an amazing meal. Then walked all around the medina. On the way back to the hotel we passed an interesting looking building and the manager invited us in to have a look around.
It’s a cafe/bar/restaurant called Le Detroit that apparently just reopened five days ago after having been closed for several years. Pictures of the Rolling Stones and Bob Marley on the wall. Anyhow, it looks great and the guy did such a good job of enticing us in to look at all the rooms that we are going to go back there this evening for a snack and a drink. And it is conveniently situated about a two-minute walk from the hotel.
Tangier feels very special. And it also smells wonderful here!
Pip says hi! 🙂
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Wonderful!
I hope we are going to get the “Complete Vicarious Tour” with you two!
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I LOVE this hotel!!!
After going to Le Detroit for a drink last night we came back here to watch a film and asked in the kitchen if we could get a snack brought up (after that huge lunch we didn’t want another full meal). A few minutes later the guy came up with a tray full of fresh bread, cheese, olives and what looked (and tasted) like a kind of whipped cream cheese. We had brought some wine with us and it was a perfect movie snack.
I’m still in bed with Pip’s laptop, she is downstairs showering … having two levels is really nice. It’s also nice having the little sofa. And the beds are very comfortable with lots of nice plump pillows and thick fluffy duvets. We both slept like babies.
Woke up kinda early though (one hour time difference here – it’s just 7.30 but my WP timestamp says 8.30) and now have to wait another hour for breakfast – and more importantly, COFFEE – to be served. After that we’re going to walk around here for a bit and then grab a taxi to Assilah.
It’s a perfect looking day out there. 🙂
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Have tons of fun!
dq
who’s enjoying an extremely lovely winter day with -7C, sun and clear skies
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It is also a lovely day, here… -7 (C). It was rather melt-y and rainy on Thursday and the Rideau Canal was closed but today it is open, again. Why they don’t start Winterlude a week later, I do not know… It invariably rains for part or all of the first week and then it is perfect skating weather for the next two weeks…
I digress… It will be lovely to see all your wonderful (I take it as a given that they will be wonderful!), warm Moroccan photos to whisk me from the chilly Canadian winter.
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Having talked with the two miscreants on skype I can say we are in for a very interesting set of pics and descriptions!! What a fascinating place and an incredible trip. Haggling included. 😀
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Will you be travelling on any Moroccan trains? They were fun. Doors open, most of the time.
TRiG.
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