The Kingdom of the Western Place
A beautiful and romanticized country that offers surfing on the ocean, camel riding in the desert, hiking to waterfalls, and exploring ancient civilizations. There is so much to see throughout this beautiful country, but fair warning, it is not for the faint of heart, as it is still a developing country where one needs to be cautious of scammers.
Fast Facts
- The native people are called Berber, although Amazigh is a better term, since Berber is what led to the term “Barbaric”. As an Islamic country, there are plenty of mosques, scant opportunities for alcohol, and more conservative policies for dress, although the country is becming more progressive.
- Historically, it was called the Kingdom of Marrakech, as Marrakech was the capital under three dynasties starting with the Muslim conquest in 700 AD leading to a switch to Islam and the Arabic language. It became known as the Kingdom of Fes when Fes became the capital for the remaining dynasties. It was only in the 19th century when the capital was moved to Rabat and continues to this day.
- It is a monarchy, ruled by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, whose portrait can be found in many restaurants and businesses throughout. While there is a Parliament with elected officials, the king still holds most of the executive power and appoints the prime minister.
Travel Tips
- Often referred to as “a cold country with a hot sun”, warm daytime temperatures can quickly lead to colder nights with chilly winds.
- While in most cities, it is possible to pay with credit card, most restaurants only accept Moroccan Dirham (MAD), so make sure to have a good amount.
- For each person, I would recommend having 300 - 500 MAD a day for activities and food.
- Haggling is the norm, so don’t be afraid to talk and negotiate prices. Speaking French or Arabic could be quite helpful.
- It can be dangerous for solo travelers to walk around at night, especially in larger, complicated medinas like in Fes or Marrakech.
- Note that there is quite a lot of racism, so be prepared for bigoted remarks and stereotyping.
General Tips
- Don't speak ill of the king in public
- Alcohol is only sold at 7-11s at certain times of day
SIM Cards
These are the three main telecommunication companies.
- AIS: Most comprehensive coverage and fastest/consistent speeds. All plans provide unlimited social media plans (Whatsapp, Facebook, Line, Instagram, WeChat, TikTok), but can only call/text to other AIS numbers, otherwise will incur an additional fee.
- DTAC: Most affordable with great speed. Most used by locals and can be used in other Asian countries.
- TrueMove: Competitive services/most cost-effective.
Transit
While one could bus around from city to city, I'd recommend flying between the major cities.
Food and Drinks
Be careful when consuming street food. Sometimes it's cheap because the meat isn't fresh or they don't have high hygiene standards. Go to places where there’s a line and/or people there.
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Food to Try
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Drinks to Try
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Thai Massages
Language
While most tourist areas speak English, knowing some Thai is great and the locals really appreciate it.
Note that in Thai, to be formal, one should add Khráp (if you're a male) or Kha (if you're a female) to the end of each of word when addressing others.
Note that in Thai, to be formal, one should add Khráp (if you're a male) or Kha (if you're a female) to the end of each of word when addressing others.
Words to Know
- Thank you: Khop khun ((khráp/kha)
- Hello/Goodbye: Sawatdee (khráp/kha)
- Excuse Me/Sorry: Kor-tot
- Yes: Chai
- No: Mai chai
Other Resources
- Brazil City Guides - Independent online travel site for different cities all around Brazil
- iheartbrazil.com - Brazilian providing insight into multiple places around the country
