Well, in the event the group did end up sharing a really lovely last night dinner and drinks together at the Kabana rooftop bar in the Medina (one of the few places that serves alcohol), though I sensibly left early, before Lyle could make good on his threat to unleash his inner party animal in full force upon the group! In short, a very good time was had by all, which was no surprise really given how well the overall group dynamics had played out over the course of the trip thus far. Even Lyle had inadvertently done his bit in adding an unintentional level of cringe comedy to the whole group affair, I suppose – albeit as the constant unwitting butt of the joke and as yet still presumably in an enduring state of blissful ignorance as to the fact!

Anyhoo, back to the trip post group segment. As of earlier this afternoon, I’m officially treating myself to an overnight stay at the luxurious Palais Sebban, a centuries-old, truly labyrinthine, traditional Moroccan riad, which still has much of its original, highly ornate mosaics, wood carvings, stained glass, and ceiling / door paintings intact. In short, one of the more unique places I’ve stayed in my life, and one which very much represents an oasis of calm amidst the hustle bustle of frenzied Marrakesh.

Fortunately for me, the Sebban also comes complete with a stylish in-house bar (yes, an actual alcofrolic one), a bijoux little restaurant, and own hammam and spa to boot. In short, no need for me to have to leave the place again until it’s time to leave for the airport tomorrow – which is very much welcome, given that I’m pretty much officially Marrakesh’d out at this point. (Oh, and on the subject of airports, I’ve since heard from other group members that departures is absolute sheer and utter fucking carnage, so something to look forward to tomorrow there then… 😦 ).

Speaking of the spa, I am pleased to report @Tara and Stuart that I have at least partially fulfilled your brief of incorporating at least one element of sex, drugs and rock n roll into this trip – of sorts at any rate!* Turns out the Moroccan hammam and spa experience is, let’s say, a particularly “intimate” one, with a woman (sometimes two) literally oiling, rubbing, kneading, washing, brushing, pressing, pushing and pummeling you virtually all over and to within an inch of your very life – and all while you are completely stark bollock naked for the most part too. There was only maybe one sole 5cm² pocket of skin that was not “actively” worked upon over the course of my two hour spa session, and even then there was a lot of, ummm, digital near misses in that area, shall we say. Not that I’m complaining, mind you – though quite frankly I’m not sure at this point if I should be buying this lady flowers and taking her to dinner. I mean, was that a mere massage, or do I find myself having unwittingly entered into my first same-sex relationship here…? 😉

Anyway, that’s it for the moment – as for now, I think I might just see if I can’t book myself in for a second date before I go… 😀

* Thought: Does Lyle’s cringeworthy minibus karaoke fulfill the rock n roll criteria too…? And Immodium the drugs part…? As if so, full house right here baby!