British Tourist's Morocco Holiday Nightmare: Balloon Ride Leaves Him Shocked
Holidays are typically envisioned as idyllic escapes from everyday life, but for one British traveller, a dream trip to a popular destination turned into a series of alarming surprises. Ruben Chorlton-Owen, a 24-year-old from North Wales, recently visited Morocco with his partner, Amber, only to encounter unexpected dangers that left him wishing he had known the reality beforehand.
The Harrowing Hot Air Balloon Experience
Ruben paid £170 each for a sunrise hot air balloon ride, anticipating breathtaking views and a serene experience. "The flight itself was smooth and the views were incredible," he recounted. However, the landing proved to be a terrifying ordeal. "The basket slammed into the ground three times before tipping over. A woman next to me hit her head, my partner did too, and I hurt my back slightly," he explained, noting that everyone was thankfully okay.
He later discovered that such hard landings are often considered normal in Morocco, especially under windy conditions or on uneven desert terrain. "In the air, it feels calm and controlled, so the impact comes as a real shock," Ruben emphasised, highlighting a lack of clear warnings for tourists.
Additional Tourist Traps and Scams
Beyond the balloon incident, Ruben faced other issues that marred his holiday. He warned of seemingly friendly locals who approach tourists near markets, offering guidance before demanding large sums of money. "I fell for this myself," he admitted, urging others to stay vigilant.
Other concerns included:
- Suggestions to use illegal taxi apps with unlicensed and unvetted drivers.
- Strict Moroccan currency rules that prevent obtaining dirhams in the UK beforehand and require keeping bank receipts for exchanges.
"A lot have been caught out on this," Ruben noted, stressing the importance of being prepared.
Morocco's Popularity and Ruben's Mixed Review
Morocco remains a highly sought-after destination, attracting over 17.4 million international tourists in 2024 alone. Its appeal lies in easy accessibility from Europe, rich culture, diverse landscapes, and budget-friendly experiences in cities like Marrakech and Chefchaouen.
Ruben, who visited earlier this month on his partner's suggestion, maintained that he had an enjoyable time overall. "I wouldn't say Morocco itself is a holiday from hell," he said, praising the friendly and helpful staff at his beachside hotel. However, he insisted that travellers need to exercise caution. "It's quite up and coming, and I think more people are starting to go there. People just need to stay safe on holiday."
Despite the shocks, Ruben expressed willingness to return, underscoring that Morocco is not inherently bad but requires awareness. "Morocco is somewhere I would go back to. It's not that Morocco is necessarily a bad place," he concluded, reiterating his call for vigilance among future visitors.
