A travel YouTuber who embarked on a budget getaway to a Spanish resort wound up in Africa following what he discovered upon arrival.

Globetrotting content creator Wendall, who has documented journeys to locations as varied as Jaywick and Atlantic City, grumbled that his international adventures were becoming too costly, and decided to secure the most affordable holiday available. This proved to be two nights in Torremolinos on the Costa Del Sol during mid-February.

On his YouTube channel, he revealed: “I’ve got £30 return flights from Newquay, and a £34 room in a hotel.”

Wendall outlined that, with his return flight to Britain departing at 5am, he concluded a second night’s accommodation would be pointless and he would simply stay awake and explore the Costa del Sol resort until check-in time.

However, as he roamed around the former fishing village that transformed into a major holiday destination for British tourists during the Sixties and Seventies, Wendall reached an awkward conclusion. “It’s quite nice, but it’s not much use for content,” he admitted.

Unlike neighbouring Benidorm, Torremolinos simply lacks sufficient activity to sustain an hour-long video. So Wendall took a daring decision and, spontaneously, caught a flight 400 miles south to Marrakesh in Morocco.

Wendall notes that, having experienced Benidorm, with its notorious “strip” heaving with alcohol-fuelled Brits on stag and hen parties throughout the year, most alternative Spanish resorts are simply too subdued. But Marrakesh, situated just across the Straits of Gibraltar, represents an altogether different prospect.

“Marrakesh is kind of the place where people that want to do real traveling come because they want to experience all of this [drama], but they don’t want the actual real raw danger of places with far less touristic infrastructure,” Wendall said. “But, it still is a wild ride.”

The chaotic journey began almost straight away, when he found himself wandering through Jemaa el-Fnaa in the heart of the historic city and stumbled upon a market stall flogging pre-owned false teeth. One slightly-worn molar, the street trader claimed, had previously belonged to Mahatma Gandhi.

The asking price was a rather modest 900 Dirhams – roughly £73. Wherever you venture in Marrakesh, Wendall noted, you’ll encounter somebody seeking a gratuity.

He continued: “If you come to Marrakesh, don’t fall for the snake and monkey scams. They’ll put a monkey on your head or get a snake to dance in front of you, but they’re not treated well at all.”

The unfortunate monkeys wear hefty collars and chains, whilst virtually all the serpents have had their fangs ripped out. “They’ve taken away the one mechanism [the snakes] got to defend themselves, which is part of their very essence. It’s a bit cruel,” Wendall said.

The snake charmers, monkey handlers and henna tattoo artists can be “a bit aggressive in terms of hustle” as well, he noted, and Marrakesh’s main square certainly isn’t suited to those easily overwhelmed. Even the neighbourhood barber attempted to upsell Wendall, despite the fact the outgoing YouTuber is completely bald.

What started as a simple trim escalated into an extensive treatment. Wendall explained: “I only came in for a quick simple beard trim. And I’ve been here for at least an hour having a full exfoliation, head shave, beard trim. The works.”

Reflecting on the discomfort of an exfoliating face mask, Wendall remarked: ” I thought I was going on a cheap holiday to the Costa del Sol, and the next thing I know I’m having my face pulled off in Marrakesh.”

At this point, the budget getaway concept had been virtually abandoned altogether. Whilst a flight from Torremolinos to Marrakesh can be secured for as little as £27, Wendall’s compact room in an upmarket Riad cost £55 per night.

One of the rare places Wendall didn’t feel “ripped off” was a market stall selling counterfeit football shirts for approximately £17. Almost everywhere else he visited, there was a relentless expectation of payment, even from pedestrians who took exception to appearing on film.