Marrakech (Day 1)

We touched down in Marrakech to very overcast conditions and a cool breeze.  Nothing like the 39°C that had been forecasted a week before.  After being dropped off close-ish to our accommodation with bags in tow, we were a prime target for opportunistic locals who despite our wariness happily escorted us to our riad which was admittedly situated in the heart of the Medina labyrinth.  3.50 euros later, we got off lightly although the two youths were pressing for more.  Cheeky buggers.

 In the afternoon we set off for Jardin Majorelle Gardens.  Not terribly impressive and filled with arid plants, I cant say it was worth the 5 euro entry fee. It would however be a good escape on a hot summers day.

Back to the riad, I got the rug out for the first time this summer.

We headed to Jamaa el Fna for dinner and took on the food stalls and the many men trying to entice you to eat with them.  I will give them credit for the one liners they come up with (in many languages I'm sure) which for us included:

• Ali baba! You want to eat here? Feed your skinny wife!

• You come eat here. Stall 25. Guaranteed no diarrhea for 2 years. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Although I'm sure I wasn't his target audience one shop seller quipped "What you like to by? Kaftan? Cheaper than ASDA!" Yeah, Nah.

We settled on a more traditional eatery, not brave enough to attempt the food stalls just yet. Lamb tangine and vego couscous was pretty good and damn cheap.  Morrocan tea (sweet mint) and almond pastries a good choice for dessert.

Argios Gordios (Corfu)

Arrived in Corfu yesterday and had our first hiccup of the trip when our driver dropped us off with incorrect instructions to get to our accommodation. It took 30 minutes, 2 phone calls, and a decent hike up and down the local hills with our luggage before finding the place. Now in UK weather it wouldn't have been that bad but we're not used to anything above 20 anymore.

Anyways, since then we ain't been doing much. Relaxing by the beach and eating mostly, although we did attempt a walk to a nearby town this morning and failed. More poor directions.

Hawks won this afternoon. Woop Woop! Suck it Sydney.

No American's within earshot and Taryn's slowly turning into a Greek salad (if you are indeed what you eat). The local brewery here makes a decent drop. Much better than the standard Greek stuff which is rubbish. The bottle I had was only brewed 2 days before. Now that's local.

One more day here in Corfu and then it's onto Marrakech via London. We've got a few activities booked in Marrakech so maybe future posts will be more substantial.

Ancient Corinth and the Temple of Apollo

Here it is as promised. Ancient Corinth and the Temple of Apollo. I think we made the mistake of going to the Acropolis and Parthenon first and now everything else is not as impressive whilst still remaining impressive. Simples.

What was impressive though was the horse and jockey figurines on display within the museum. They look like something I made in kindergarten, but really old.

Jockey with penis rides horse with big lips.
Stationary motion too slow to win race. 

We stopped by new Corinth and Loutraki (obligatory beach photo included) before heading back to Athens incorporating one of Taryn's favourite pastimes; hypermarket shopping (this time at Carrefour). Groceries in hand an an hour later, I made it out alive (although maybe not after Taryn reads this).

We're flying to Corfu tomorrow morning. It'll be interesting to see if there are as many American's on the island as there are in Athens; as those with the unmistakable accent are everywhere. With so many American's here there must be a connection between the USA and Greece I'm ignorant of. Can anyone shed some light?