Hammam, Herbal Remedies all a Birthday treat

HAMMAM



There are two types of Hammam (steam baths) across Morocco.

The first is the tourist hammam, where you can go and be pampered and scrubbed by an experienced staff member, and this is the one we did as a lovely birthday treat. The scrub is great and shocking when you see all the dead skin come out of your arms and legs. First they put a black soap on your skin and leave it there while you are in a room which is similar to a turkish bath, your pores open and you suffer at some points of heat but its a great way to relax.

These are obviously different to the authentic Hammam, as we could do it together whereas in Morocco the people from there do it separately, the men in one area and the women in another. We were pampered with mint tea, biscuits and were able to lie by the pool in silence. A trip worth doing if you are in Marrakech.

The hammam we got is promoted only to tourists as they are the more expensive option with pricing usually around DH 150 for a hammam (but definitely worth it). They can not be technically referred to as a proper hammam, but they are nonetheless enjoyable and very relaxing. We also got a one hour massage which was the best I have ever experienced. Very relaxing.

There is also the second option which is to visit a "popular" Hammam. Popular hammams are the places where the locals go.

At the popular hammams, you do it all yourself. To make the most of a popular hammam, you need to take a scrubbing mitten (available cheap in the Souks), a towel, and some extra underwear (otherwise, you will be going home without any, as it will be sopping wet). Popular hammams are often only identified by tiles around a door and entrance way. If you do not speak French or Arabic, it could be a daunting, or at least a very memorable, experience.

I would of liked to have tried this type of Hammam out but unfortunately there was no time for everything.

Herbal Remedies

After relaxing our Taxi driver picked us up as he offered to be our driver for the day and he took us to a herbal pharmacy where they sell products for EVERYTHING and they say they can cure everything but Cancer.
The man was very friendly and good at selling, everyone here is good at selling...

He showed us many different products they sell for anemia, dyes for clothes, headaches, blocked noses, aching bones, arthritus, herbs and spices for cooking, make up, natural airfreshners, deodrants and even Pachuli!!! They even showed us the herb that makes you dance in the bed.... afrodisiacs. There was lots and we did obviously buy some products to try out.







Natural deodrants, air freshners and perfume based like a cube which you rub on your skin and tadaaaaaa you smell fresh...

Here in this picture you can see I am sniffing something. This is a product they use to help with headaches, sinus problems and blocked noses etc. They put a teaspoon of this product into a small cloth and then they rub it for 30 secs in there hands and then you cover one nostril and sniff hard through each nostril. The smell is very strong and leaves your eyes watery but it does the job! It took my headache away.

With going to these places and being a tourist you are bound to pay more than a local, this is frustrating but prices are still cheap...ish.



Relaxing in the hotel.

Everywhere you go in Marrakech you see great architecture and places to chill.