This morning we decided we wanted to discover the new town of Marrakech, so we took a taxi to the city centre.
NOTE: If you ever take a taxi in Marrakech, give a written address to the driver to avoid any confusion if a language barrier occurs.
The city centre was a combination of old traditional Morocco and the new upcoming Marrakech. We first stopped off at a modern coffee shop/restaurant called Le Table du Marche where we enjoyed some very English afternoon tea.
We later discovered the high street shops of Marrakech, as well as the city's market.
It contained stalls of handmade jewellery, demonstrations of woodwork made with a chisel and a man's feet and a painter painting his art for his stall. This market was located right in the middle of the modern city centre.
We then carried on to discover the more traditional elements of the new town. The inside market, Marrakech Cuir, was a two story shop stocked with both intricate and eccentric goods. The market sold everything from delicate silverware to cast iron lion statues. I made sure to purchase some handmade pieces from the market as souvenirs.
That night we spent enjoying a mixture of moroccan and western world foods and acoustic music in the hotel.
We had an early start this morning, ready to take on Jemaa El Fna and the souks of Marrakech. We took a free shuttle bus to the city centre arriving in the Sunday morning rush.
Unlike the usual lazy Sundays in England, Marrakech played host to hundreds of busy market stalls and street sellers. They sold everything from tissues and cigarettes to horse and carriage rides. Although the main square was something I'd fantasized about and researched long before visiting it didn't stop it from being the most surreal experience of my life.
Henna artists, monkeys and snake charmers turned Jemaa El Fna (the market square) into a carnival of colours and culture; almost unimaginable to anyone brought up in the western world.
NOTE: Fixed prices on the market and in the souks DO NOT exist, don't settle for the first price they give you make sure to haggle!
We wondered directionless enjoying everything the souks had to offer, buying handmade jewellery and souvenirs. I spoke to a man who had his own handmade jewellery shop.
'I saved my money in the shop to take a holiday to Barcelona. I met a girlfriend and now I live there with her for some months of the year.'
'Now she works in England at Primark but I cannot afford to visit London.'
He explained to us that although he cannot afford to travel to England him and his girlfriend plan to eventually settle down in Marrakech. He lives in a small village in the Atlas Mountains, the money he earns from his shop meant he lived well in Marrakech.
'Marrakech is where I always will want to live.'
As we travelled through the souks we spoke to many different locals with their own story that they were all willing to tell.
Agige was one of the government certified tour guides we met on the city's busy street.
He explained that it isn't just people from the west that come to Marrakech. People from the north of Morocco would save money for years to take the seven hour trip down to Marrakech for a holiday.
He explained to us if there was one place to visit that showed the beauty of Morocco, it was the Atlas Mountains. Here, people lived simple lives and were content with the way they lived.
We continued to travel through the souks and the market place where we bought little gifts and trinkets.
NOTE: Handmade gifts are delicate and made as cheaply as possibly so they can easily break. Look after your souvenirs.
After coming back to the hotel we enjoyed a champagne dinner in the hotels exclusive Italian restaurant. We then went to the hotel's salon bar to watch the live entertainment which consisted of Moroccan dancing and drinks at the pool bar.
The hotel deserves every one of it's four (plus) stars. The staff really make the hotel a relax, happy environment with their attentive and polite nature.
Waking up in Morocco was something I'd been waiting to do for what seemed a lifetime. Walking onto my balcony in the morning heat of this African country was every bit as blissful as I'd imagined.
In the morning we had a talk from the hotel reps who gave us the valuable knowledge we need to take on the beautiful city. They explained the two sides to Marrakech that we were able to explore.
The old town of Marrakech was where the history, attraction and raw culture could be found, as well as the beautiful architecture and some of the most poverty stricken residential areas in the city.
The new town was a thriving, upcoming modern commercialised district. European style shopping malls were at the centre of this area.
We spent the afternoon around the gorgeous pool taking full advantage of the all inclusive food and drink!
In the evening we walked ten minutes out of the hotel to the local cash and carry, (similarly to a Costco store in England but much more diverse.) The store was a hub for families to shop for their weekly supplies. Fresh fish, fruit and spices on display brought colour and a fusion of Moroccan smells to the store. As expected the prices of products were cheap and so different to those in the UK.
NOTE: We learnt alcohol is not sold in supermarkets after 8pm.
Our second night in Morocco had been just as serene as the first with wine and acoustic musicians carrying us into the early hours of the morning.
This morning we decided we wanted to discover the new town of Marrakech, so we took a taxi to the city centre. 
