Morocco 2015

[Eamless]

I have put up a video of the journey from Agadir to Tafraout via the R105 here. www.eamlesstravels.com look for routes on the right hand side of the page and select the film icon on the part of the map. There is an iteractive media map of our trip through morocco as well, including restaurant reviews, where we stayed, Pictures, tips, jokes and all sorts. Just dont get prissy of my view of Taghazoute. I dont like it and stick by my view of it, so what. I love Morocco. Enjoy and I will add the rest when I stop enjoying myself.

 

[voyagerstan]

means no money. mafi = havn't faloose = money

Not quite right " mandeshe floose" i've got no money .

 

[Eamless]

Not quite right " mandeshe floose" i've got no money .

Depends if you speak classical arabic like myself or the north african variety. they do understand basic classic arabic here and mafi for not is understood.

 

[PhilandMena]

Not quite right " mandeshe floose" i've got no money .

I seem to manage with I'm effing skint me ole china!

 

[Eamless]

Did anybody see the press release from Melia hotels group on the 4th Feb? it states they will open a hotel by end 2015 at Taghazoute bay. maybe why the place was closed down.

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[PhilandMena]

Did anybody see the press release from Melia hotels group on the 4th Feb? it states they will open a hotel by end 2015 at Taghazoute bay. maybe why the place was closed down.

My first trip to Taghazoute, both my wife and I loved it. We would have stayed another two weeks if it was still open before moving on. I know one of our members made a damming statement about the camping area which may have put a lot of new comers off Marroc but in the main, like so many other people we found it a very pleasent experiance and saw it as a community of like minded people who were relaxing and enjoying themselves. We will miss the fresh produce brought round every day, particulary the fish. Cheap as chips and some species were to die for on the plate. Hopefully, another desinated camping area will open before next year. local Traders will certainly miss the many motorhomes who no doubt provided many with an income they and their families were dependant on. The beach itself was such a great place to walk and watch the sun go down. Fingers crossed.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Just pulled out of Tifnit, the last Brit to leave and the French are all scratching their heads and looking worried. As we were packing up the final bits 4 or 5 army guys arrived with a few plain clothes guys and start walking around the vans. No idea if they are about to chuck the vans off or what. There is a lot of activity around the prison too, so who knows?

The French must have thought all the Brits had insider information.

 

[PhilandMena]

Back to the traders this morning and eventually knocked him down to 90 MAD for my metal wind breaker so very happy with that. Next breakfast for two, Berber omelette, fresh orange juice, coffee and bread. about £4.50 all in. Then, the steal of the day, down to the market, went up to the guy on the herb and spices stall (amazing display) and said Tagine, mixed spices and the guy knew exactly what I wanted. A huge amount of wonderful spices for 80 MAD. (Now I know there were at least 8 tablespoons of saffron in the bag plus cumin, coriander and a shit load of other spices I have no knowledge of and I'm over the moon, see the picture
Now the funnest experience I have witnessed since arriving at Morocco. Was at a butchers this morning buying fresh chicken, no problem whole fresh chicken on displaly. I said I'll have that and it was weighed and the guy said 52 MAD do you want it quartered and I said yes please. As this was going on guy's were bringing in fresh beef for the butcher and as my wife moved to the side to let them pass one of them put a whole cow's head on the table next to her, the tongue was hanging out the side of it's mouth. Next up went the skin and innards on hooks and then to my amazement the hoof's and about 12 inches of lower leg were laid out on the pavment, all freshly butchered and all to be eaten. The look on my wife's face was a joy to behold. Both the butcher and I cracked up at the same time.
We also bought a metal Tagine (if your going to buy one make sure the base is solid and not thin metal as this is exposed to the flame /heat and the thin ones disintegrate) I did not haggle for this, cost 40 MAD. (Fellow Funsters gob-smacked).
Our fellow Funsters have said , chop some onion for the bottom and this is the bed the meat goes on
, then surround with veg and then about half a cup of water/oil and and the mixed spices and away you go.
So, we are going to try our own Tagine this afternoon. We have eaten several Tagines already in Moroc and I.M.O. the food is to die for.
I'm sure lots of people will now post their recommendations for using a Tagine and if like me this is your first time you may find Google a great help.

http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=tagine

 

[Carol]

Don't forget you dried Apricots and dates plentiful there cheap and definitely add something to the tagine, yes to the bed of onions.

 

[PhilandMena]

Ha! Ha! that did'nt take long. Thank you. I will bear that in mind the next time we shop.

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[Mousy]

Phil, loving your posts and pictures thank you. How long will you cook your tangine for?

 

[PhilandMena]

Phil, loving your posts and pictures thank you. How long will you cook your tangine for?

Currently in heated debate with Mena about this very point. I say small flame and it will take about 2 hours max. She say,s it will take about two weeks with the size of my flame and it needs a flame thrower to get it started. Either way, were both going to be dissapointed I think. So, it's back to my mate Jamie google for the answer. Will update you on outcome.

 

[Carol]

Once you have it simmering turn it down to its lowest heat then I usually do mine for about a hour and twenty minutes, they are a regular part of our menu now and still using some of the spices we bought back. Try goat it makes a really tasty tagine.

As long as the steam is coming gently out of the hole it is good, I usually make a little extra liquid up to add as some will disappear .

 

[PhilandMena]

Had a chat with fellow Funsters who are along side us about Tagine cooking and general consensus is high heat untill bubling then low and slow. We have started ours low and slow and it's now bubbling. I would attach a smell app but low on data.

 

[dabhand]

Hi Guys.
As we leave Morocco we are sending this to Simon & Ken who told us they were running short !
You Wish !!
Ron & Jeanette

And not before time mate

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[dabhand]

Had a chat with fellow Funsters who are along side us about Tagine cooking and general consensus is high heat untill bubling then low and slow. We have started ours low and slow and it's now bubbling. I would attach a smell app but low on data.

High and hot till the bubble then Low slow and almost off

 

[PhilandMena]

First attempt!
It works! We used stewing steak from the UK which we normally do in a slow cooker over 15 hours as it's a little tough. A very nice meal, the spices without doubt are key as is the low slow flame. The meat was succulent and the vegetables full of flavor.
Jamie Oliver, kiss my fat arse!

 

[makems]

Made my first Kefta Tajine last night (that's the one with the meatballs and the egg on top).
Made my own meatballs too from some steak mince we had in the freezer.
Bloody gorgeous.
Tonight it's chicken curry. Bubbling away as I type and smelling lovely.

 

[makems]

Metal tajines with cast base are 30 Dh in the big souk in Agadir if you can be bothered to haggle long enough.

 

[makems]

Had a good laugh this afternoon. The camel jockeys were getting the mounts ready to take a big group of Spanish out for a night in the desert.
One of the camels decided to make a break for it and it was like a Benny Hill sketch as they were running around to try and catch it.

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[makems]

Anybody got any recommendations for sites in Foum Z'Guid and Tata?
We will be going that way to Tafraoute over the next few days.

 

[voyagerstan]

Munisiple site tata outside the swiming pool town centre 40d a night or oberge 4k outside town . The site at z,guid is town center again nice site very maroc . Plenty of freebys inbetween . STAN

 

[SUGGY]

Reading some of the posts on prices that people are bartering for is getting embarrasing ,
The meaness is getting to be like listening to the French who want everything for nothing ,
As the water truck man said ... do you want the shirt off my back ,

Wind break for 80 mad , try buying the galv steel and making one yourself , .......

The Moroccans like the English dont lower yourself to French levels ...

 

[Busman]

Well said Suggy, I have bought a couple of items where if I wanted I think I could of got it cheaper but the fun of bartering on both sides was worth any extra, and it was good hearted fun/bartering with a hand shake at the end. Most people selling live off the profits good luck to them.
Dave

 

[dabhand]

The problem is not knowing what the fudge is going on, I gave our Mr fixit man in Tiznite, Bushta, several small items whilst we were there and he seemed to charge me more for everything, wtf is that all about then!

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[tonka]

One thing I was told and I appreciate..
Dont haggle if you have no intention of even buying... Just wastes everyones time and the "game" of bartering can become an insult.
I loved a good barter and an amusing exchange with the traders but in places like Marrakesh it was better just to say no thanks than to ask how much..

Tata... Last year was a new place just built as you leave the town East bound. It was the one place I never liked and glad the women stayed with the vans while us menfolk went out looking for Bread. Had a weird feeling,,

Foum Zquid.... LOVED IT.. Really friendly place... Cant re-call the campsite name but it's the closer one to the town...

 

[voyagerstan]

The problem is not knowing what the fudge is going on, I gave our Mr fixit man in Tiznite, Bushta, several small items whilst we were there and he seemed to charge me more for everything, wtf is that all about then!

Beware man bearing gifts !!! Heehee STAN

 

[Peter & Elaine]

One thing I was told and I appreciate..
Dont haggle if you have no intention of even buying... Just wastes everyones time and the "game" of bartering can become an insult.
I loved a good barter and an amusing exchange with the traders but in places like Marrakesh it was better just to say no thanks than to ask how much..

Tata... Last year was a new place just built as you leave the town East bound. It was the one place I never liked and glad the women stayed with the vans while us menfolk went out looking for Bread. Had a weird feeling,,

Foum Zquid.... LOVED IT.. Really friendly place... Cant re-call the campsite name but it's the closer one to the town...

Strang how different people have different impressions of places
I really enjoyed Tata we had 3 or 4 days there
@canopus and our selfs went up town late on one night for a walk around and ended up at a wedding with Lynda and Elaine going of with the brides party a lady's only affaire while we ended out side chating with men folk it's one of our best memory's
Personally my favourite place was Zagoura A nice mix of old and new

 

[Dazzlin]

Had a good walk yesterday through the hills from Tafraoute to the next valley, Arnhelm I think. Did it last year with Jim & Liz and Carol & Arnie.
Spectacular scenery impossible to do justice with photos. We would maybe not have come this year as we were settled at Taghazout, so every cloud...

 

[PhilandMena]

Metal tajines with cast base are 30 Dh in the big souk in Agadir if you can be bothered to haggle long enough.

There goes my old berber man image LOL

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