Morocco 2016

[Ali n Tim]

Hi @TerryL We are heading to Essaouri tomorrow. Where are you staying?

 

[abforfun]

Hi @TerryL We are heading to Essaouri tomorrow. Where are you staying?

We're on the guardian parking, all together down the far end

 

[canopus]

Ann & Brian - whitby Goth November has been posted tonight. Just wondered if you knew.

K & L

 

[Ali n Tim]

Give us a clue Far end of where? xx

 

[makems]

we arrived this morning after the best crossing yet!
Turned up at the port at 8:15 but nobody in the check in booth until 9:20. Despite that we sailed on time at exactly 10:00 - that's a first for us!
Even better, we cleared Customs at Tanger Med in about 40 mins.
Better still - the weather was beautiful, clear blue sky and 20 deg! It's the first time we have entered Morocco when it hasn't been pissing with rain.
We were on fumes when we reached the first gas station on the motorway to fill up, stop and have an early lunch.
I thought I would get the Internet running using the SIM card and a top up card from last year. Unfortunately the SIM card wanted a pin code which I couldn't remember (tried all the obvious and usual ones ) so we decided to call in at Asilah to get a new SIM. We had planned to push on to Kenitra as we were well ahead of schedule.
We arrived at the Maroc Telecom shop at 1:05 - 5 minutes after they shut for lunch until 2:30 - buggier!
We parked up at the guardian spot by the roundabout at the bottom of the road and decided we would have a walk, get a coffee and I also needed a haircut. The barbers floor looked like the aftermath of a sheep shearing competition when Sweeney Todd had done his work.
I have noticed that Moroccan barbers never use electric clippers to trim round the ears and back of the neck. They always use a cut throat razor but insert a new blade each time at least then if they cut off your ear or slit your throat you won't die of some infectious disease.
Later we went back to the van for a brew and then I walked back to Maroc Telecom where the helpful chap sorted out my SIM card and set it up so it doesn't need a pin code. All for free.
Back to the van for dinner and watch the sun set.
Early start tomorrow as we want to make up the miles we didn't do today. We will aim to get at least as far as Bouazza.
After that who knows?
We are definitely heading down the coast this year though at least to Tan Tan, possibly Layoune and maybe enpven as far as Dakhla. Anybody been there?

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[CherryPirate]

We're on the guardian parking, all together down the far end

Co-ords are:
Lat: 31.49465
Lon: -9.76426

Colin

 

[Ali n Tim]

Is there a street name or number? Haven't got sat nav

 

[Armytwowheels]

Is there a street name or number? Haven't got sat nav

Ali, put the coordinate into MapsMe. It I'll do just a good a job as Sat Nav. Just press the search option and put the cords in the search box.

 

[Theonlysue]

 

[Armytwowheels]

In fact, this my be of help. Screen shot of MapsMe and coordinates in top right corner in both imperial and metric. Red pin denotes the gardian parking.

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[Armytwowheels]

View attachment 89890

Great minds think alike!

 

[PhilandMena]

Phil, have you Sussed out that other road to Imsouane that you were told is shorter but unsuitable for larger vans? I don't want to go that way and get stuck!

I would give it a miss Mike, we left this morning and whilst the road out was a lot better than the one we took in it is quite steep and has some tight corners. I did not see any RV or long motorhomes there, while we were there and it's not recommended for RV's in Camper Contact.

 

[PhilandMena]

Hi Phil. Looks like Imsouane might be our next stop - we're at Essaoura for 2 nights still with most of the group (can't take a hint ). Do you think there would be room for 6/7 vans?

And we'll certainly be interested in Banana Village.

It's a beautiful location. The only downside is the local dogs sleep during the day and party at night, and there is some repairing of kerb stones on the coast road nearby to the parking areas, but this is a 8-5 job so OK at night. During the day almost everybody is at the port/village. So, so relaxing.
Terry, not sure you will get 7 vans in the same spot but you can certainly manage spots close to each other. If the spot I was in is full look a little further uphill and there is another square that will take several motor-

homes. Remember it's supposed to be parking only but when I left all the young campers were clearly camping.
Did not see any wilding at Banna village will check it out in more detail this afternoon. There is some serious developement going on down here, you wont recognise the place in a couple of years.
Mena and I left this morning, I have had a bit of an upset stomach (this happened last year to shortly after arriving then after 12-24 hrs ok for the rest of the trip) so we have bailed into Atlantic park for 24 hrs to access their facilities and clean up. This is some campsite, better than many European campsites we have stayed on and it has everything, including shops , hairdressers, etc and appears to be extremely well organised and pretty much rammed. Wait for it! 145 DH per 24 Hrs with Lecce. If like us you need to bail in somewhere quick and need access to lots of services this could meet your needs.
On the way down we saw the odd campervan parked on waste ground above Tafroute and one group of 6 but no chairs out so assume they are only there for the day. As we went through Tafroute we saw the reason we were evicted last year, about 50-100 small wooden beach apartments 10 deep where we were parked up. Some one is going to make a killing here as it's a surfers paradise.
Finally, now that I have a decent Internet connection some pictures of Imsouane.

 

[canopus]

Phil you mean Tagazhoute NOT Tafraoute.

'to access their facilities and clean up' - have you had a brown trouser moment Phil? Does Atlantic Park sell underpants?

 

[Armytwowheels]

Phil you mean Tagazhoute NOT Tafraoute.

He's never going to get it right Ken, he is obviously dyslexic when it comes to his Tags and his Tafs!

@PhilandMena which Altlantic park are you talking about, I thought there was more than one with that name?

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[Armytwowheels]

Does anyone remember what time Carlos is open to? We hoped to get the ferry tickets today but we are making poor time on the A7 due to traffic.

 

[canopus]

Broken Link Removed

you might be able to find it on here Sandra or give them a bell

 

[Armytwowheels]

Broken Link Removed

you might be able to find it on here Sandra or give them a bell

Thanks Ken, just called and they are open until 9pm.

 

[canopus]

Hasta la vista folks - have a great time, wish we were going this year

 

[PhilandMena]

He's never going to get it right Ken, he is obviously dyslexic when it comes to his Tags and his Tafs!

@PhilandMena which Altlantic park are you talking about, I thought there was more than one with that name?

It's the Atlantic park below Tagazhoute and above Agadir (I think it's also Just before Banna village as I do not recall passing through it getting here. The campsite is even bigger than we thought, there are more static homes here than motorhomes and many of them have extensions and all that I came across had a little garden too. The pitches for Motorhomes are very big and seperated. Each block has it's own Toilet/shower/washing machine facility and on the outside dish w

ashing, dog washing and a bay for the motorhome to empty grey and black water. There is also a designated facility for dog's to take a dump assuming they read.
We had a walk round the outside of the campsite, no motorhomes to be seen anywhere and will update again tomorrow as we will be heading south.
More pictures of Imsouane

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[Carol]

Hi Phil, if you and your camera are any where Tagazoute were we used to camp any chance of some photos of the new development .

 

[PhilandMena]

Hi Phil, if you and your camera are any where Tagazoute were we used to camp any chance of some photos of the new development .

Nope!

 

[Ali n Tim]

Thanks @Theonlysue and @Armytwowheels. We found our way to join the others this afternoon Still trying to sort out how to use maps.me Not usually so thick but will keep trying!!!

 

[makems]

I would give it a miss Mike, we left this morning and whilst the road out was a lot better than the one we took in it is quite steep and has some tight corners. I did not see any RV or long motorhomes there, while we were there and it's not recommended for RV's in Camper Contact.

Thanks Phil. We will give that one a miss.

 

[makems]

We've had a good day today, making it to El Jadida from Asilah. I think Gwen must have had her heavy shoes on today!

@TerryL are you lot still at Essaouria. If so we will see you tomorrow mid afternoon.
If you are moving on tomorrow - is there somewhere to empty the cassette and or get fresh water?
And I hate to raise the question, but what do you do about grey water?

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[PhilandMena]

We've had a good day today, making it to El Jadida from Asilah. I think Gwen must have had her heavy shoes on today!

@TerryL are you lot still at Essaouria. If so we will see you tomorrow mid afternoon.
If you are moving on tomorrow - is there somewhere to empty the cassette and or get fresh water?
And I hate to raise the question, but what do you do about grey water?

Mike, 300 mts down the road (to your right, with your back to the beach) there is a roundabout. There is a campsite that sits back off the 3rd exit (You can't see it until you exit the roundabout) 30 Dh to fill up with fresh water (?) and empty your cassette.

 

[makems]

Ok thanks Phil. I've stayed at that site before so know the facilities. We will be arriving full of water and with empty cassette and grey tank so should be OK for a couple of days.
Just trying to work out where to go after Essaouira.
We will probably stop off in Agadir for a couple of days and park at our usual spot in the car park of the School near Mustafa's workshop. Just have to remember not to be there on a Wednesday when the grand souk is closed.
Then we will head further South and just keep going.

 

[PhilandMena]

I'm going to try Simon's recommendation tomorrow, Tifnit, on the coast a short distance below Agadir, then onto another coastal stop Aglou, North West of Tiznet. There are 2 campsites there according to Camper Contact, one is €7.00 and the other a little further south, Azrou Zougaren. 30 Dh a night with black, grey and fresh water with a rest room (?). Hopefully get a few decent days in and then down to Mirleft for a few days and on to Sidi Ifni.

 

[TerryL]

Nope!

Carol, we're going that way next couple of days, will try to remember to get some photos for you.

 

[TerryL]

We've had a good day today, making it to El Jadida from Asilah. I think Gwen must have had her heavy shoes on today!

@TerryL are you lot still at Essaouria. If so we will see you tomorrow mid afternoon.
If you are moving on tomorrow - is there somewhere to empty the cassette and or get fresh water?
And I hate to raise the question, but what do you do about grey water?

Hi Mike & Gwen. We're moving on tomorrow morning to investigate some of Phils finds. A couple of the group need to visit Mustafa so Colin is taking them there whilst I take the remnants, if any down to Tiznit - there's a modern site 7km south of the town on the N1. After that it's probably Tafraoute.

Haven't actually done it myself yet (but seen it used) it appears that in the next plot of land down from the guardian parking and which is currently empty (no motorhomes sign) there is a disused toilet block with access behind it to get rid. As for grey, there is a grid right behind me if I let the handbrake off........... Don't know about water as we've not needed it here. By the way, it's MAD30 p.n.

Had a nice meal in le Marche de Grains at lunchtime - several restaurants all selling more or less the same things and vying for your custom, great fun. We used the grey seats - you'll see what I mean if you go....

Hope to see you somewhere.

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