deep in the medina . . .Dar JAND

In the spirit of intrepid blogging I tried a new place to rest my soul and sample some {more} mint tea on my last visit to Tangiers.

Nestled in the heart of the old medina of Tangiers  -another first for me as I normally stay in the Marchan district - Dar JAND is a really good place to discover medina life, as unlike a lot of other hotels and b&b's, it is very much part of, and integrated into the community.

 Having walked up the narrow medina road, trying desperately to make mental notes of where to turn left or right or not, as Andrew pointed out the various landmarks. After stopping en-route to chat to people, make routine greetings with neighbours, we reached the front door of Dar JAND. Typically the door gives no indication of what is beyond, and the unassuming exterior leads onto a rich and traditional moroccan interior, full of attention to detail not to mention more than a few home touches that make sure your stay is a good one.

But in my opinion - what really makes the difference here is that Janet and Andrew, the creators and owners of Dar JAND,  simply and genuinely want their guests to experience the Tangiers they love and have become part of . . . and it is worth the effort, because you walk out of there feeling like you have really spent time in the medina rather than having just passed through.

and, at the end of the day, move up to the roof terrace for a lovely view of Tangiers in the softening shadows - just sit and enjoy the view, and watch a ship go sailing by . . . 

for a wealth of practical information

on Tangiers visit Janet & Andrews blog

music on a monday . . .

                                                                          . . . and an introduction to Tanjazz.

The annual Tangier Jazz Festival {Tanjazz} is set to kick off a bit later this month - the 18th of September to be precise - so it felt like a good idea to start the week off with a bit of music, and then carry on for the rest of the month, in an attempt to uncover some of the musicians who are going to be lurking around the kasbah in a few weeks time.

And, quite frankly, it just seemed like a nice way to start the week.

So . . .  for this Monday morning, listen to The Atomic King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys  - and if neither the name brings a smile to your face, nor the music  gets at least one foot tapping  . . . well then I will officially throw my hands up in horror!

After listening to {aagghh such a long name to type on a Monday morning blog!} shall we just say "the aforementioned band", I am truly looking forward to you-tubing my way through the rest of the programme to see who to share with you next Monday morning!

Let me know what you think of  . . .  

The Atomic King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys

  

postcards from the edge . . . of africa

lets talk about post of the old fashioned, handwritten, non-virtual variety . . . 

not about 'posting' on a blog or on facebook

 but a good old fashioned pen and stamp item that gets hand delivered days {& sometimes weeks} later, right to your door or postbox!

I am on my way to Tangiers and Assilah later this week for a little research and relaxation time, 

and I thought how lovely it would be, to sit sipping my coffee, or {as the blog title would have it } a glass of mint tea,

 possibly even at Cafe Hafa
looking across the ocean to Europe from the tip of Africa 

while penning a postcard or two

to you . . .

                                                                                                                  image via dar malak

So this is my idea . . .

 you send me your postal address - below on comments, via private message facebook, or to the email listed on my contact page 

 and i will write (just a quick hello, how are you, wish you where here) and post you a postcard from Tangiers, Assilah, or somewhere inbetween

Please do it -  make my day!

and just think, a new stamp to add to your collection!

Dar Malak {house of the angels}

been there

 I have learnt through hard - and and sometimes interesting - experience, that it is possible to make the most dire accommodation look charming and characterful on the internet.
Those pretty pictures neglect to mention that there is no plug in the bath and that you will have to roll up some underwear {yes, really . . . Palma} in order to wash, or that the hotels neighbours' son has recently acquired a set of drums {that wasn't so bad actually, he got more melodic each day}.

So . . . in an attempt to make your trip more pleasant I thought I would use these pages to pass on contacts and information about places I have visited and enjoyed staying in.

DAR MALAK

picture perfect view from the roof terrace

This is one of those places that the internet does do justice to, and our first trip to Assilah en famille was organised around this house. I saw this  view on the internet and I wanted to stay there,  read a little more about the town and location, and decided it was definitely a good option – and now this is the place we return to as often as we can!

I have stayed in this house alone, with my daughters, as well as with grandmothers and aunts in tow . . . it's lovely!

a royal wave from the roof terrace

If it is all about location –  then this is unquestionably the place for you. Sitting on the terrace you literally feel like you are floating out to sea – just writing about it makes me want to back there.

 It can be a little busy in mid summer as you overlook the krakia – a favourite spot for both locals and tourists to go for a little sunset promenade and people watching – but I also love that bit of bustle on your doorstep!

sunset on the krakia 

 In the evenings my daughters would dash out to the peanut and roasted seed vendor just outside the front door to get snacks for the cocktail hour and we would watch the sun set over the Atlantic while munching on almonds and pistachios. The only possible criticism is that it is a bit of a trek from the kitchen on the ground floor, to the terrace, but you make a plan . . . its worth it!

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, plenty of living space downstairs plus the roof terrace

to book or read more about the house and Assilah go HERE

images: tea-in-tangiers & dar malak

                                            done that

if you have the time {and the inclination . . .}

please pop across to facebook and LIKE us there x