Hotel Mamora Tangier

... br>around Tangier and immediately were happier and more relaxed. The feel was
completely different to where we had been and I’d say the fact it was on the
coast and had a heavy Spanish influence had something to do with it. The place
was bustling, exciting, and there were people from everywhere going about their
business. There were lots of cafes on the streets like in Europe too, and it
was an amazing feel to look out across the water and see land – Spain ...

getting the ferry was easy, however even though you can see Morocco from Algeciras, the 90min ferry took three hours (still not sure why?). The Moroccans seemed very relaxed about it all...on into Tangier. Pickin gup the next car was easy.

The touts at the Ferry were all very accomodating and respectful....not the hassle we expected at all. And the hospitality, smiles and welcome continued on into the rest of Morocco

... there were literally thousands on these hills, all going flat stick, which when you stop to think about it means that the wind was strong and probably the water mightn't be all that smooth. You are right We had a rough , slow crossing to Tangier with big, irregular swells. No one was happy and they handed out the sick bags about two thirds of the way across - never a good sign that really. No one actually lost it but it was getting to be a ...

... through these narrow old streets and alleys alone, being taken to who knew where buy an 18 year old "tour guide". Every person we passed stopped and stared at me, and I was constantly harrassed by people trying to sell me stuff. I've been to places like Peru, Cambodia, India, but even these countries weren't as bad as Tangiers. I was brought into a shop and my guide said he'd be back in a minute, then disappeared for 20 ...

... We think we are ready for Morocco and the hustlers after time spent in South America and this is our next step towards India.We hailed one of the older style Mercedes taxis and get in the car after we do a deal with the driver for 10 dirham. After the backpacks are in his trunk he turns to us and says we must pay him 100 dirham instead of the agreed 10. He tries to be stern with us thinking we are fresh off the boat from Spain. We refuse and try to get ...

... town we pass through has long lines of thatched market stalls stuffed chock-a-block with melons - mainly watermelons, but also rock melons and honeydew melons. Nothing else seems to be grown here but you wonder where they are grown - as far as the eye can see there are dry, dusty fields with not a skerrick of greenery. In fact they look like carefully cultivated fields of small rocks. Essaouira is about 200kms away on the Atlantic coast and for kilometres before our arrival ...

... port. It only took a minimal 10 minutes to reach the Spanish/Moroccan border, where we sat and waited for our passports to get stamped. While waiting, you could see the Moroccan police and guards. Suddenly!!!!!!!!!!........Some black garbage bags were thrown over a 15 foot fence to the ground, and 2 men appeared and were jumping the boarder!!!!!!!! It was crazy!! Everyone on the bus was watching, but for like 10 minutes we weren't sure where they had gone. Until ...

... time in Morocco. Lee and I both were very impressed with the tour and with our limited view of Morocco. It would have been very different and much less enjoyable without being on a guided tour. The ferry ride back to Tarifa was smoother with several American groups (Kentucky high school and UNC college students) hanging out on the deck. Lee and I were both very happy that we decided to take the day trip to Morocco and experience a little sampling of life in Tangier.

... Majorelle garden, created by a European painter early in the 20th century. Two nights ago I took an overnight train to Asilah, where I'm writing this. It's a small town on the Atlantic coast just south of Tangier, and is famous for having one of the most beautiful medinas in Morocco. This medina is like a little fort on the sea, with narrow lanes and internal walls whitewashed and trimmed with bright blues and greens. There is an international arts festival ...

... in line.... and we did....and we got

back to Spain fairly uneventfully.



Alas, I must go... I´m SO

tired. I didn´t get in until 3:30am because it was my roommates´ last

night in Cadiz, so we went salsa dancing....then I had to be at the bus

station by 6am to get to Tarifa in time......SO I´m SOOO tired, must

sleep, and then spend my last day in Cadíz...where else? The beach! :)