Three continents in under 6 months!

Despite the dire weather warnings blanketing the news we found that there really wasn't any snow blanketing the roads and our drive down to Walton was easy going.  Driving through the frosted Scottish countryside was gorgeous and we were almost sad to leave what we knew would be a guaranteed "White Christmas".

View from the car window

We had a wonderful Christmas, Chloe was the star of the show.  I think, like all young kids, she had more fun playing with the wrapping than anything else!  For that matter, I think her Auntie Kate had more fun wrapping her up than anything else.

Chloe's Greige-y Stash

Wrapped Baby!

We pulled ourselves out of our post-Christmas langour and packed our bags for Marrakech.  Dad had sown some serious seeds of doubt as to whether we'd ever make it to our chosen destination on our second- (or possibly third-) rate airline but luckily Royal Air Maroc pulled through for us.  Flying with a 5 month old was definitely not as breezy as flying with a 10week old and once again I was SO thankful to have found the world of wraps when she was screaming her lungs out on the plane.  Alex and I both agree that we don't think we'll be flying with her again any time soon if it is at all avoidable. 

Marrakech was really interesting.  It was the first time either of us had been to a predominantly Muslim country and the atmosphere was decidedly distinct from our travels around Asia.  As a woman I didn't feel as comfortable, though with a baby strapped to my front and a husband by my side I certainly didn't get hassled at all, nor were there any attempts to swap livestock for me.  I'm slightly disappointed by that to be honest, Kate's worth totalled 5 chickens and 50,000 camels!  

Taking mint tea at Riad Kitula, our home for 4 days.

Demonstrating her readiness to move on to a glass of milk.

Marrakech is known for the shopping in it's Souk and the ubiquitous haggling that goes with it.  It's not really my preferred style but if you don't haggle, you'll get completely ripped off.  In fact, as Kate and Mom found out on the first day, even if you DO haggle you can get completely ripped off.  Basically if they aren't prostrating themselves on the floor swearing you are taking food out of their children's mouth you are probably paying too much.  When you've concluded a deal and the guy is giving you some extra stuff for free you know you've been ripped off!

Gimme that camera, damn paparazzi!

It was quite a laid back city, there was some hustle and some bustle in the Souk but it was very different from the hectic all-hours scrum we've experienced in cities like Bangkok.  Strolling through the shafts of sunlight seeping into the alleys as we walked past trinkets, ancient Berber "antiques", rugs, cardboard Fezes and vats of snails awaiting the pot was really quite pleasant.  As with most places visited for short jaunts, we really felt we were only just starting to find the nice places to hang out when it was time to leave, but such is the nature of travelling.  

Just chillin' while mom has another tagine.