2014 - MOROCCO .. All posts here now please..

[makems]

We are now encamped at Zagora..
La palmeraie, vicarious no 123 page 118.
Through town, over river and turnright down track, signposted just before the road splits. Follow sand track...

They will try for 70dh but say you are "FUN" and "Hemi" the boss will do 60dh inc electric...

That's the site where we got stuck last year in soft sand after heavy rain. After deflating the tyres somewhat and digging ourselves out we headed back across the river to another site. We were advised to do this as the bridge was about to be closed as the water was about to come over the top of it.
It's probably dry as a bone now and you'll be looking at the bridge and thinking how can the water possibly get so high as to go over the top of it!

 

[JockandRita]

Part 4. Driving towards the desert from Sidi Ifni to Tata, Morocco – mainly dashcam video for those that are interested.

Sidi Ifni to TaTa, Morocco 2014 CLICK HERE

Rita and I have just viewed your latest production Andrew. Another very enjoyable vid. Cheers mate. :thumb:
Rita knows all participants in this production............except the puppy, the camels, and the Policeman. She even recognised the creepy image of JJ on that tablet screen.

She sends her thanks and appreciation, as your videos are giving her (and many others too no doubt), an insight to a country she would not normally have any intention of visiting. Travelling in small groups does appeal to her too, rather than going it solo.
Maybe one day hopefully, eh?

Thanks again,

Jock & Rita.

 

[Dazzlin]

inland morocco

Hi folks.
Just a quick catchup
Had a couple of nights pretending to wait for camping international in Agadir then one night overlooking the lively atlantic ocean at Aglou plage.
Got some great pics of the arch at Legzira about 10 km north of sidi ifni.
Had an easy night in Tiznit. Needed leveling blocks! A bit out of town so had an early one then next day parked in town and did the market. Managed to keep Lynne from the silver!
Then had 1 night in el barco, bumped into makems and kiwi colin and Tina.
Today, sun, did Guelmim then thru bouizakane to Tafroute. Great guardian parking here for 10dh so will stay a couple of nights before venturing to Taroudant. Trip here a bit hairy, did about 60km of loose gravel roadworks on r104.
Enjoying more as we discover what to us is real Morocco.
Darren and Lynne

 

[tonka]

Hi folks.
Just a quick catchup
Had a couple of nights pretending to wait for camping international in Agadir then one night overlooking the lively atlantic ocean at Aglou plage
Had an easy night in Tiznit. Needed leveling blocks! A bit out of town so had an early one then next day parked in town and did the market. Managed to keep Lynne from the silver!
Then had 1 night in el barco, bumped into makems and kiwi colin and Tina.
Today, sun, did Guelmim then thru bouizakane to Tafroute. Great guardian parking here for 10dh so will stay a couple of nights before venturing to Taroudant. Trip here a bit hairy, did about 60km of loose gravel roadworks on r104.
Enjoying more as we discover what to us is real Morocco.
Darren and Lynne

Glad your enjoying it...More to come, keep going east and then south...:thumb:

 

[canopus]

Today, we have had a fascinating insight into what life is like in the village Icth about 1/2 mile from where we are pitched. Ten of us including a French couple had a tour around the village where our guide Abdillah lives.

We walked down the dry Ouade to reach the village and were then taken to the ancient nucleus of the original village. It was constructed as one block with passageways mainly for security and to keep out the heat. We visited what had been Abdillah's grandparents house over three floors and courtesy of Ellie (of Ellie & Bob) the French narrative was translated for our benefit.
The house was over three floors, animals on the ground floor, second wife and children plus kitchen on first floor and first wife and children on second floor. Roof terrace where families would converse in the cool of the evening. two further wives would have been permitted

We were given a fascinating insight into the Islamic way of life including the do's and dont's of Sharia law, including virgintiy, fidelity and the consequences of infidelity. We visited what had been the original tiny mosque and told how points are accrued for regular attendance and how richer families give to those less fortunate.

Finally after walking through the palmerai we were invited to Abdillah's house, which his father had built, and treated to tea and biscuits in his best parlour - shoes off. We were even allowed to take our dogs into his house.

An absolutely fascinating insight into how these people lived in days gone by and still do today to a large extent. We paid just less than £2 each for the tour and all said how do they manage to live as they do. Amazing this is definitely off the tourist track.

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[Malcolm Bolt]

The Case of the Bogus Bag

Last year Rachid Nabil painted some great pictures on our van. In June last year I had an argument with a 'Flot Bleu' service point in France and put a couple of tram lines down said picture. We arranged for Rachid to carry out repairs and he would of course need to be paid.

In need of cash we caught the local bus to 'Banana Village' so known due to the numerous little shops selling nothing but bananas. I don't know why but there it is.

I successfully extracted 2000 Drms for an obliging hole in the wall and we took a stroll around the village. We had coffee and croissants in a delightful patisserie and having purchased an old pan with charcoal to use as a miniscule brazier we escaped from the hustle and bustle of what passes for 'the retail world' into the Hotel Littoral. Rather than sit in the front garden which was pleasant enough we passed through the main building into the rather secluded terrace around a small pool. The noise of the road traffic left us and we sat in this tranquil oasis and drank Moroccan tea before asking for the menu.

At the far end of the pool were four women. They were not sitting next to each other but spread out, each engaged in there own activity. One was writing, one reading, one was lying on a lounger sunbathing under a large thin shawl and the other moved from one chair to another as if trying to get sun and shade at the same time but never quite achieving satisfaction.

A group of eight french speakers were having drinks. They perused the menu and ordered then left and went indoors.

Two men arrived. One had several days of beard growth and looked a bit of a down and out. The other was slightly better presented. He ordered a Coca Cola and his companion asked for a beer.

I realised that although the woman under the shawl had moved from seat to seat so that at one time she was towards the sun and then with her back to it. I never saw her face. My imagination then took over. I felt like Poirot in an Agatha Christie novel set in North Africa. Was the scruffy guy a drug dealer? Was his friend an under cover detective? Was the covered face lady a famous celebrity trying to keep her identity/whereabouts hidden? Oh yes and what about the group of the disappearing French? Who was about to be bumped off and of course who was the murderer?

We ordered the advertised '6Euros menu especialle' of Moroccan Soup, Chicken Tagine and a desert with half a bottle of rose and a coke.

It was at this point that I noticed a large brown bag on the ground that past for a garden by the feet of the two men. A few minutes later it was by the woman with no face then later by one of her accomplices. Were drugs being passed from a Mr Big to the distributors?

My attention was taken by the return of the party of eight who took their places at the adjacent table which was now set for their lunch. We exchanged pleasantries and out of the corner of my eye I saw the bag moving along the side of the pool in my direction. I could not see any string pulling it along nor any other external means of propulsion. I just could not understand how this case was developing until one of the French speaking party got up from the table and went over to the bag and fed it a piece of lettuce.

Bollocks it was a tortoise.

Oh well dream shattered and back to the real world. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal in the relaxing surroundings The group of eight were Belgians who having ordered had adjourned to their hotel rooms to freshen up before their meal. The women were British and staying in a riad (hotel) along the street where the market is held. They had found somewhere to relax away from the busy streets. The two men left after a few drinks, I still think there was something fishy about the scruffy one.

When we had finished our meal a well dressed man came by with a chap who looked as if he was the maintenance department. The suited guy gave instructions an Mr maintenance disappeared down a hole in the ground. Moments later water jets spurted from the pool and we all applauded. It was unexpected an quite charming. The whole display was on for about five or six minutes, at which point Mr maintenance returned, switched off the pumps and left.

The whole occurrence felt rather surreal but we had thoroughly enjoyed it. I love Morocco.

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

more of above

Photos for above

 

[Snowbird]

We are now encamped at Zagora..
La palmeraie, vicarious no 123 page 118.
Through town, over river and turnright down track, signposted just before the road splits. Follow sand track...

They will try for 70dh but say you are "FUN" and "Hemi" the boss will do 60dh inc electric...

Just goes to show how fast Morocco is changing. The last time I was on La Palmerie which was only 2 years ago, it was 10 MAD per night plus 10 for electric. I love Zagora, there is always something going on, with many Raids coming through from the desert. Theres a great hotel with bar and very good restaurant just down the road from where you are.

 

[tonka]

Just goes to show how fast Morocco is changing. The last time I was on La Palmerie which was only 2 years ago, it was 10 MAD per night plus 10 for electric. I love Zagora, there is always something going on, with many Raids coming through from the desert. Theres a great hotel with bar and very good restaurant just down the road from where you are.

I think after a wash morning we are off to "the end of the track" to check out the local eateries etc... :thumb: We are now quite settled here for a while....
Did the big market yesterday so all stocked with local fruit and veg..
They are telling us that the last bit of road to M'hamid is undergoing work and so not very good.. However we need to get this confirmed later before making any more plans....

 

[Dazzlin]

If it's like the r104 undergoing a bit of work - keep away. Some spots it was like driving on a shingle beach with no steering!
It added 1 1/2 hours to the trip, but taking that route we saw some fantastic views we would have missed. Palms in the bottom of valleys, donkeys in the road (not tethered!) and a nearly dry dam.

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[Bebe]

Photos for above

Loved your post and pics. Thank you for brightening my day! Brilliant and so funny. :thumb:

 

[andeb]

Empty pie tin

Well we enjoyed the pie and seems locals have made good use of the empty tin:


And they even washed it

 

[andeb]

Wash

De-Bor-Ah getting a well earned clean, before we hit the road again

 

[marjohn]

Thanks to everyone

Thanks to tonka and everybody for making my 2014 trip to Morocco enjoyable I will adventure out next year We are on our way to Marrakech then after that Portugal I hope to meet up with you all in the future also a quick snippet if you take the connector of the gasit it fits a Morocco gas bottle.

Margaret john marjohn

 

[tonka]

Thanks to tonka and everybody for making my 2014 trip to Morocco enjoyable I will adventure out next year We are on our way to Marrakech then after that Portugal I hope to meet up with you all in the future also a quick snippet if you take the connector of the gasit it fits a Morocco gas bottle.

Margaret john marjohn

Have a good time in Marrakech and meeting your family..
See you for Morocco 2015..

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[Daiboy]

Thanks to tonka and everybody for making my 2014 trip to Morocco enjoyable I will adventure out next year We are on our way to Marrakech then after that Portugal I hope to meet up with you all in the future also a quick snippet if you take the connector of the gasit it fits a Morocco gas bottle.

Margaret john marjohn

Thanks John and everyone it's been a pleasure travelling with you all.

Daiboy

 

[makems]

Quote "Bollocks it was a tortoise. "

Suggy will have it made into plectrums if he sees it!

 

[makems]

After 3days at Mustafas place we hit the road and had a really nice drive down to Sidi Ifni. Stopping once for a cup of tea that turned into a shopping expedition by Gwen and Christina to the small local market. Then later for lunch which turned into a shopping expedition for Gwen and Christina to the adjacent ceramic bazaar.
So it wasn't exactly early when we arrived and consequently there were no front line places available. Bumped into Dazzling on arrival.
We went for a walk around town and had quite a good pizza, moving next door for delicious cakes and coffee. The we had a wander around the small market where the traders were the most slid back I've come across in Morocco. No hassle whatsoever.
Yesterday was dull all day so it turned into a laundry day. But it turned off a bit damp in the afternoon and a Froggie lit a barbie so we brought the washing in still damp.
It's now outside again blowing nicely in the sun as normal weather conditions have returned.
We may move on again tomorrow but not sure yet.

 

[canopus]

We are now at Akka on the municipal site. There is electric but the voltage is so low our fridge doesn't want to know.

Bit of a mishap on the way here from Icth. Me and a Frenchmans Rapido's wing mirrors decided to mate whilst travelling past one another at 30mph. Result was my mirror glass fragmented and the cast alloy housing has fractured inside. The Rapido's mirror had to be swept up in bits. :Sad:

Have been told that we may be able to get a running repair done at Tata so fingers crossed.

 

[CherryPirate]

We are now at Akka on the municipal site. There is electric but the voltage is so low our fridge doesn't want to know.

Bit of a mishap on the way here from Icth. Me and a Frenchmans Rapido's wing mirrors decided to mate whilst travelling past one another at 30mph. Result was my mirror glass fragmented and the cast alloy housing has fractured inside. The Rapido's mirror had to be swept up in bits. :Sad:

Have been told that we may be able to get a running repair done at Tata so fingers crossed.

It wasn't my Rapido this time .... promise!

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[Malcolm Bolt]

Birthday Celebrations

Margaret's Birthday celebrations a little early as some were leaving the following day.

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Birthday Celebrations

More Funsters and other folk celebrate Margaret's Birthday. Have a great time with your family in Marrakech. Ain't we just had a ball.

 

[SueBaz]

?........we sat in this tranquil oasis and drank Moroccan tea before asking for the menu........At the far end of the pool were four women. They were not sitting next to each other but spread out, each engaged in there own activity........A group of eight french speakers were having drinks. They perused the menu and ordered then left and went indoors......Two men arrived.....One had several days of beard growth....The other was slightly better presented.......I realised that although the woman under the shawl had moved from seat to seat so that at one time she was towards the sun and then with her back to it. I never saw her face. My imagination then took over. I felt like Poirot in an Agatha Christie novel set in North Africa......

Was the scruffy guy a drug dealer? Was his friend an under cover detective? Was the covered face lady a famous celebrity trying to keep her identity/whereabouts hidden? Oh yes and what about the group of the disappearing French? Who was about to be bumped off ...

It was at this point that I noticed a large brown bag on the ground that past for a garden by the feet of the two men. A few minutes later it was by the woman with no face then later by one of her accomplices. Were drugs being passed from a Mr Big....

Marvellous. Although I really do think you both need to get off Tagazhoute beach a bit more I loved this. :thumb:

Have Fun

Barry and Sue

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Leaving

Marvellous. Although I really do think you both need to get off Tagazhoute beach a bit more I loved this. :thumb:

Have Fun

Barry and Sue

Malcolm has FINALLY finished the " to do ' list that he said would " be done! " once we got to Taghazoute .

So we are on the move Yey!

Well once today's washing is dry

Cathryn

 

[tonka]

Last day in Zagora for us, off to town later as i need cash and a phone top up..
Weather is excellent, campsite really nice, un crowded and cheap.
Heading East tomorrow and the sand dunes,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erg_Chebbi

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[hilldweller]

Heading East tomorrow and the sand dunes,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erg_Chebbi

"In 2006 flooding adjacent to the dunes destroyed many buildings and killed three people."

We saw the damage in 2009. Drowned in the Sahara, sounds daft doesn't it.

We still have the sand in odd corners of the MH, it gets everywhere. Awnings don't last long there either.

 

[Peter & Elaine]

Malcolm has FINALLY finished the " to do ' list that he said would " be done! " once we got to Taghazoute .

So we are on the move Yey!

Well once today's washing is dry

Cathryn

Cathryn needs to start a new list before you get bored again
Elaine and I with
Graham and rosey
Bob and ellie
Ken and linda
Are now in tata park at camping municipal the main site is full so guardians have put us on front car park sounds a bit bizarre but it spot on clean all services close by 2 minutes stroll into town and a restaurant on site
Weather is now great blue skys and warmer at night
[Broken Link Removed]

 

[makems]

After 3 nights at Sidi Ifni we have moved up the coast to a little wild camping spot on the beach about 20 mins drive north. I will post the coords later as we are now parked up with Kiwi and a couple of other Brit vans. We are at the end of a track about a third of a mile long so I will have a walk later and get the coords at the turning off the main road.
I spotted the spot on our way down but we were past it before it really registered. Then yesterday at Sidi Ifni we bumped into a couple from Northumberland that we met last year at Tagazoute and they told us in detail how to get here.
We are planning to stay for 2or 3days or until the water or gas runs out or the cassette is full!
Then we will head back to Agadir to get some gas. I will ask Mustafa to organise propane as I trust him. I am not going to use butane as it has already cost me 500 dh to have a decoke and new jets after just 3 days on crappy butane. Even the the robbing bstard from Tagazoute had charged me for propane. Grrrr! :Angry:
Here's a picture of our perfect little spot. All English, no French. As I said, perfect.

 

[makems]

Damn photos upside down. Bugger!

 

[Arnica]

Wild camping kiwi style eh!

After 3 nights at Sidi Ifni we have moved up the coast to a little wild camping spot on the beach about 20 mins drive north. I will post the coords later as we are now parked up with Kiwi and a couple of other Brit vans. We are at the end of a track about a third of a mile long so I will have a walk later and get the coords at the turning off the main road.
I spotted the spot on our way down but we were past it before it really registered. Then yesterday at Sidi Ifni we bumped into a couple from Northumberland that we met last year at Tagazoute and they told us in detail how to get here.
We are planning to stay for 2or 3days or until the water or gas runs out or the cassette is full!
Then we will head back to Agadir to get some gas. I will ask Mustafa to organise propane as I trust him. I am not going to use butane as it has already cost me 500 dh to have a decoke and new jets after just 3 days on crappy butane. Even the the robbing bstard from Tagazoute had charged me for propane. Grrrr! :Angry:
Here's a picture of our perfect little spot. All English, no French. As I said, perfect.

UPSIDE bloody down

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