A 5am start for a dream hot air balloon ride over Marrakech quickly turned into a frustrating no show, a full refund, and an unexpectedly slow family day of bad breakfast orders, Lego marathons, pool time, great chawarma and small moments of kindness.

After our unforgettable Sahara adventure, Day 162 in Marrakech was all about slowing down. From delicious traditional Moroccan breakfast and mint tea to poolside fun with the kids and incredible local shawarma for dinner, this was the perfect family reset day before our next adventure.

From a pre-dawn Sahara camel ride and sunrise over the dunes to chaotic Marrakech traffic, roadside stops, and a tour guide who somehow survived it all, Day 161 was one wild ride.

From Morocco’s Valley of Roses to the towering Todgha Gorge and finally camel trekking into the Sahara at sunset, Day 160 was packed with long drives, cultural surprises, sandboarding chaos and one unforgettable desert night.

An early morning escape from the empty streets of Marrakech led us through the Atlas Mountains, across the ancient clay city of Aït Benhaddou, and into Morocco’s breathtaking Valley of the Roses. A huge first day filled with surreal landscapes, long drives, and our first real taste of Morocco beyond the medina.

Our first full day in Morocco threw us straight into the chaos, beauty, history, and sensory overload of Marrakech. From rooftop breakfasts and Ben Youssef Madrasa to the madness of the souks and Jemaa el Fna, this was culture shock in full colour.

An early 5am start, airport chaos, Schengen exit, delayed flights, Marrakech madness, monkey encounters, SIM card struggles, and our first taste of Morocco. Day 157 was one of the biggest travel days of our family gap year so far.