LATYMER UPPER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES WEEK 2018: 2015

Round up from Morocco

Review of 2015 Morocco Trip

Day 1

After a three and a half hour flight we finally arrived at the airport in Marrakech where we then went to settle in at the hotel Diwane. Abduhl, the guide showed us around Jamal square where we had a drink at a cafe, overlooking the snake charmers, monkeys and the local dancers.

Day 2

The next morning we were taken on a tour around the city and visited the beautiful 16th century Madrassa museum. The souks contained various different materials and we were able to learn the fascinating ways they were all made, for example, the wool, silk, metal making and wood crafting.

Before the three hour bus journey to Essaouria we got to go to the pool at the hotel for a refreshing swim. Once we had arrived at the hotel in Essaouria which had a picturesque view of the sandy beach we dipped in for a swim. After being dried and dressed we had some traditional Moroccan dishes for dinner. As an evening activity we took a cultural promenade through the city centre and each had a chilled ice cream to finish the day off before going to bed.

Day 3

We woke up early for breakfast and started our day by buying packed lunch at the supermarket to go help a village 30 miles from the city. We had to walk down a run down path for 10 minutes before arriving. This day was the most amazing experience. We first got to sing, play and talk to the pre school children and teachers who worked at the school we were visiting. All of them were friendly and welcomed us to build them gardens and paint their school, before which we had to sand it. They were extremely thankful and appreciative when we gave each of them a bag filled with toys, stationary, and clothes for their whole family. We all enjoyed helping their community. After this we once again got to go for a swim in the cooling Atlantic sea before dinner and another ice cream.

Day 4

After saving our money from the first days we walked through the shops in Medina to buy some souvenirs. We then had a cultural lunch where we ate kebabs. At the hotel we cooled off and relaxed by the pool. We then went dinner at the hotel which was very tasty. After dinner a local henna lady came to do henna tattoos for the girls.

Day 5

In the morning we went for a camel ride in a palmerie before heading to the souks for some shopping. We had lunch at a local cafe before heading back to the airport.

Theatreland Day 5

Final Day at Theatreland

Latymer runs a theatre workshop for John Betts Primary School

Calum has a rapt audience of 7 year olds.

John Betts play ‘Wink Murder’ to dramatic effect.

End of the week supper tired, hungry but looking forward to ‘Bugsy’

Curtain call and standing ovation for Bugsy Malone

Danny gets into his role as Sir William Hogarth at Hogarth’s House.

Ardeche Day Six

Final Day in Ardeche

We started the day with another early awakening but all for a good cause. After a couple of pain au chocolats, we headed down the beach for windsurfing and raft building. Due to the unfortunate lack of wind, windsurfing anywhere was not going to be an option. However that did not deter Mr Gill from having a go and providing us all with an entertaining spectacle - better luck next time!

Raft building was an adventure for all, most ended up in the water but a few survived to tell the tale of tying barrels and wooden poles. We had a relaxing afternoon on the beach, alternating between sailing off on the Catamarans with Harry Styles' supposed second cousin and splashing about playing volleyball with Mr Seymour. Finally, we visited the charming marina town of Cap d'Agde. We all scooped up (if you pardon the pun) discount ice creams courtesy of our lovely Groupie JP. Luckily, we returned just in time for our last, and honestly first, successful disco. Au revoir et à bientôt!

Ardeche Day Five

After our first night in the tents and an early breakfast we were raring to get going on the activities. The first activity was Picos (a type of small sailing boat). Unfortunately, there was little wind so we had a splash instead by playing on the stationary boats. Next was snorkelling. We travelled to Black Beach and took turns snorkelling in and and of the bay. So whilst some were catching glimpses of fish others caught a tan.

In the evening, we went to a beach near us and played a game of rounders. Although it was a hot summers night the conditions were excellent and we had a great game. Finally, we arrived back for DISCO. Some of the other schools tried to challenge our dancing skills, but we showed them how it was done. Claudia and Flora choreographed a fabulous dance to 'Fireball by Pitbull' and got the whole camp dancing. An all round great day.

Ardeche Day Four

We woke up at 8.30 and had breakfast for the last time, as well as a final morning shakedown dance. We got on the coach and it was a three hour drive to aqualand. There were many slides including one in completely pitch black, one almost vertical yellow ride and a tornado slide. Most of us went on at least two of the rides whilst some of us sunbathed or ate a waffle in the creperie. After that it took half an hour to reach our destination in mimosa. Here we got taken to our tents which were a five minute walk from the beach. After a short tour of the site we had a superhero competition where a member from each group got dressed up by their teammates into embarrassing clothes and received a witty superhero name with a back story. After the disco we all went to our tents and slept after a long day of travelling.