This was one of the most memorable days of the trip, starting long before sunrise with a hot‑air balloon flight over the desert, then spending the rest of the day wandering through the medina, getting lost, haggling, resting in cafés, and soaking up the heat, colour and chaos of Marrakech. It was exhausting, unforgettable, and full of the small moments that make travelling here so special.
Early Start and Journey to the Desert
We were up at around 03:45 and out of the Riad shortly after 04:15, walking to the pickup point in the quiet streets of Marrakech. A few taxi drivers stopped to ask if we needed a ride, but we waited, hoping our minibus would arrive. It finally turned up just after 04:30, and after collecting a few more people in the city, we headed out towards the desert for the hot‑air balloon flight.
Hot‑Air Balloon Flight
When we arrived, we were given mint tea and a number for our balloon. A man approached me about filming the flight with a drone and camera, and I agreed to buy the photos and video as a souvenir. Lisa climbed into the basket easily, but I had to readjust myself before managing to get my right leg over the edge. Once everyone was aboard, the burners fired up and we lifted into the sky.
The climb was fantastic. Despite the early hour, it was warm in the basket as the burners roared above us. Morning clouds blocked some of the view, and at one point we rose to around 1400 metres and floated inside them, feeling the damp air and the odd raindrop. The pilot dropped us below the clouds again, explaining that the cold, wet air made it unsafe to climb higher. We drifted for about an hour, watching the chase vehicles racing across the desert and children cycling out to greet us as we descended.
The landing was gentle, much smoother than my previous balloon flight. The children gathered around us hoping for spare change, then ran off to the next balloon coming down. The ground crew packed the balloon away incredibly quickly, and we were driven back for mint tea and a breakfast buffet. I chatted with one of the men from our basket and discovered he was born not far from where I grew up in Walthamstow. Small world.
Exploring the Medina
After being dropped back near the Riad and freshening up, we headed out again to explore the medina. We wandered through the souks, getting lost as usual. I tried to buy a Moroccan football shirt, thinking I had agreed on a price of 40 DH, only for the stallholder to suddenly switch to euros. When he insisted the price was 25€, I walked away.
We reached the Spice Square and stopped at Café des Épices for tea, where we were also charged a “table tax” that wasn’t mentioned on the menu. We continued walking and came across the Almoravid Qubba, taking a few photos before passing the Marrakech Museum and heading towards Jemaa el‑Fnaa. The square was full of juice stalls, snake charmers and the sad sight of monkeys being used for photos, which we avoided.
Heat, Tired Legs and a Much‑Needed Rest
The heat was rising and my legs were struggling. We eventually found a shaded bench where I could rest before looking for food. The Sky Bar restaurant was too expensive, but a friendly waiter told us to go one street back for cheaper local cafés. We followed his advice and found a small restaurant opposite the Academy of National Education, where the food was excellent and far cheaper.
Taxi Back and Evening Meal
The walk back towards the Riad was tough in the heat, and without Google Maps we got lost again. A man on a donkey cart offered us a ride, but Lisa eventually hailed a taxi and negotiated a fare back. Once we were near the Riad, we stopped at a local café for a simple meal of tomato and onion with bread and grilled chicken. The teenagers who always hung around the alley greeted us as usual. One lad proudly showed me his Arsenal tracksuit after I told him who I supported.
Ending the Day
Back at the Riad, I sat in the courtyard reading my Kindle for a while before heading to bed and falling asleep almost instantly. It had been a long, unforgettable day.
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