Wednesday 15 January 2014

Up at 7.00 am and it's still dark! However, ready to go at 8.30 so a convoy of 16 motorhomes set off along the A7 towards the port. Although not as straightforward as other ferry ports we've used, it was quite easy to follow - especially when you're following someone else! However, despite being told check-in was from 0900, nobody showed until 10.00; meanwhile we watched another ferry from a different line (there appear to be four) fill up and depart.

Waiting for the ferry

Eventually someone turned up and our fears about timings were allayed as we were all let through. In fact, apart from 2 Frenchies, we were the only ones checked in! They had turned over an entire fast ferry to us, plus half a dozen cars and three trucks! Wondered why it was empty when it docked! We did, however, fill it and of course there were a good number of foot passengers too but generally the accomodation was empty.

Ah, there it is

Under way 35mins late (well it is Spain) we joined the queue for Police registration which was quite straightforward - NB, I'm doing a separate post which covers how to do all the necessary.

Gibraltar from the ferry

Then after a smooth crossing we arrived at the new port of Tangier Med. Customs decided to clear everybody else first before starting on our group, but it was all quite straightforward, and we didn't even have to leave the van. It took less than an hour, which apparently is good going, before we were passed on to the Bureaux de Change. As the Moroccan Dirham is a restricted currency, this is your first opportunity to change money, and we needed some straightaway for fuel and motorway tolls. However it was an excellent rate

Welcome to Tangier Med - we think!

Our plan now was to take the motorway straight to the town of Asilah, south of Tangiers where there was a suitable parking place for our group. Then "aclimatise" and get internet sorted.

Motorway

Our first look at Morocco

A quick stop for fuel, which we needed badly, then on our way this time split into two groups to avoid congestion etc.

A safe arrival at a busy aire-type site where the guardian quickly sorted places for us all. I have to say that by nightfall, anyone who wanted out quickly was going to be out of luck...

Terry then went off with a small group to try and get internet cards etc. However the shop was closed, we thought for "prayers", then after a wander around the town we discovered it was Mohammed's birthday and a public holiday so gave that up for the day.

Returned to the van, a quick bite to eat, then we walked back in to the old town and then around the centre again (where this time the telecom shop was open but they could not help).  

First impressions: interesting and unusual, very much as we had imagined it although we never felt threatened at all, which you would have been in similar places elsewhere. In the early evening everybody was out for a stroll, groups of girls and young ladies in their beautiful dresses. Certainly a very different culture, but we are of course now on a different continent.