Unfortunately there are no stories of de-flowering young maidens. (Well not yet, I am still on the road...)
Having travelled down from Santander via a few trails through Portugal that I'm sure Tramp and Minky will be telling you about in a few weeks, I stopped at a place about 80km north of Algerciras on the Monday night, ready for a quick ride down to see Sr. Carlos the famous ticket agent on the Tuesday morning.
Ticket bought for the 12 o'clock ferry to Tangers Med and I'm at the port waiting in the queue at about 11:20.
Getting to the port was straightforward, follow the signs for 'Puerto' off the A-7, through the tunnel, a slow ride past the port entrance and the rather nice looking but stern faced policewoman and follow the signs for Tanger.
Gets to the checkin gates, a few cars and motorhomes and old vans waiting already. Get my ticket and passport checked. 12 o'clock comes and goes... must be on Spanish time then... turns out we're on Moroccan time as the ferry finally leaves at 3pm!
This was quite funny, as we arrived at the dock there was this boat reversing into the dock, so all the 'RV' crowd get the cameras out to video/photo its arrival. It parked in the next bay and was not our ferry, they did it all again when the ferry with FRS written all over it arrived.
Now sing along all together...
3..2..1
“If you ever go across the sea to Maroc”
“Be sure NOT to go with FRS Maroc Express”
Not sure if I was unlucky, or expecting too much, but they had no idea or suitable straps to tie the bike down, so I did it myself. Wasn't ideal, but it's only a short gentle crossing so it survived ok.
After another long wait to get off the boat and even longer wait to get the temporary import done for the bike then a visit to the money changer and get some insurance, which is just on your left before you get to the main exit, I was off! However it was now about 16:30 and I wanted to get to Chefchaouen. about 100km away.
Decided to avoid the motorways, so off at the first exit. Past through some not so great places for the first 10km or so then it was out into the countryside, roads for a bit 'interesting' for about 40km, narrow and every few km there was a patch of pot holed gravel to negotiate. That and the trucks coming in from all directions!! I eventually dropped onto the N2 which is a main road and in good condition. Got to Chefchaouen about 18:40 and found the Hotel Madrid with a 24hr parking garage next door.
I posted this on facebook and a friend asked what I was doing in a brothel.
A bite to eat after a long day.
Welcome to the kasbah!
