I’ve said it before and I will say it again: we love travelling. Between us we have been lucky enough to see most of the world, and we both vowed that pregnancy/children would never stop us exploring. True to our word, we have been on a few trips whilst pregnant and with only a couple of months left until the due date, we seem to have picked a “controversial” destination for a quick break away.

Before we set off on our trip to Morocco, people voiced their concerns. Among the top 3 most popular worries were, “Is Africa safe at the moment?!”, “What about food?!”, and my personal favourite “I’ve heard the people are a bit scary.” Now, I have always been one to keep an open mind and once again, my relaxed (almost horizontal) approach to life has paid dividends. Having a mama to be in Morocco has been great.

Most importantly, the weather is lush. We both needed a bit of sun to counter the somewhat dismal weather in England and Marrakesh has provided some welcomed vitamin D with its cloudless skys and 25degree February sun. The first few months of pregnancy have been great, but being non-stop busy at home takes its toll. Dark mornings and dark nights aren’t my thing. A bit of sun has done us the world of good. I think getting away and having a chance to relax and reflect a bit has made us even more excited about the baby …if that’s even possible.

One of the things that has made our trip so far is the people. Marrakesh is crazy, much like any capital. The main dangers are somewhat sporadic – motorcyclists in small souks, puddles of non-descript liquid and partial manhole covers. Bar these things, we have both felt really safe and very welcome in both the day and night. The customs are a bit different obviously. Personal space isn’t a thing and (as I have painfully found out) ginger haired people are discriminated against more than in a school playground. Ruthless. With a pregnant wife, I haven’t felt encroached upon or anything of the sort. In fact, my hair is way more of a talking point than anything else. People congratulate us in the street and ask if we are having a girl or a boy…not being funny but you don’t get that at home. The stereotypical branding of the city being unsafe – especially for women, in my eyes, is nothing but hearsay. For gingers, it’s another story.

Today we got out of the city and went to the Atlas Mountains. We love a good hike (my somewhat hyperbolistic term for a not- flat- walk – we are from Suffolk after all!) and the terrain we faced was challenging. The missus was treated like a bloody princess by the guide – I honestly think he would have sacrificed himself to save her if it was required of him. No joke he was class and actually made the day – a bit of advice, if you do head here, get a guide it’s well worth it. Some people didn’t bother and quite literally met a broken and bloody end. Ew. Health and safety level: 0/10. Guide safety and skill level 10/10.

I think it’s a great idea to go on a little trip to with your bump – it’s reinforced to us that everyone else doesn’t know what’s best for you. We haven’t done anything differently to how we would have without a bump…so what’s the big deal? I can assure you that my “dad-mode” is fully engaged and not once have I felt on edge. Morocco is a mega destination for a bit of heat, culture and relaxation – even with a bun in the oven.