Algeciras - Chefchaouen

Brigitte:

After a hearty breakfast we arrive half past 10 at the harbor. Fine, one ticket counter next to the other and it is not clear which ferry goes next on which conditions. So I buy one that is delayed rather than 10 at 11 and at least will go at 12. None of the travelers really knows where to go. We talk a bit with a nice Dutch motorcyclist couple traveling with only two side panniers.

Arrival in Tangier Med: this is still a real border control, customs papers for the vehicle, confirming the tourist identification number of Wolle once more, although we had already got it on the ferry, control of panniers - but no drug dogs, as many reported. Thanks to the description of other travelers which Wolle read on the internet, we knew what is happening and what should be done. Changing money (5 guys talk to you, you should come to their booth), getting a SIM card and finally a 2pm local time - that's 3pm our time - we finally ready to ride on.

The journey starts quite exciting. The Garmin satnav does not work with the Moroccan OSM map and Wolle enters the destination manually. So we start into a gravel road, which is almost immediately is getting into a challenge.

In Tetouan we have our first mint tea of ​​the journey, a sweet, delicious drink. And sweets in addition.

In Chefchaouen the hotel, where we want to stay, is occupied (Alkhalifa). The very nice receptionist tries to find another one together with us. Some are occupied and some are very simple (a hose at the toilet as a shower) or are dirty. We take the Dar Zmam, which was on our list too. A small room with small bath, but pretty and quite clean. The lesson is to book a day before arrival!

Extensive walk through the blue city. In the evening a salad and two tajines (lamb with prunes and chicken with lemon), mint tea and pastries. We are sitting at the main square and watching what's going on. A peculiar mixture of men and women in long coats, the men partially hooded in kaftans, sometimes in pajamas, sometimes in pretty embroidered fabrics, women with and few without headscarves, women with strange basket hats ... and suddenly sounds the call to prayer. Unfortunately, we both do not sleep so well and are freezing at night.