In the south of Spain on hols, had planned to nip over for a few hours on a day trip. Just wondered if anyone had called in, and if it was a worthwhile experience. Cheers Gaz
Went there 10-12 years ago for a day as part of a cruise, also Casablanca. Luckily only had to spend a few hours in each, yes it was an experience, but not in a good way. I'm sure more adventurous travellers will say it's great, but I will never return. At least you'll only be going for a day, so if you don't like it, it's not the end of the world. I did buy a leather belt made from camel, that I still use every day, so that was good.
It kinda depends how far you are away...if it's a huge coach ride to the Spanish port I wouldn't do it as you spend most of the day there and back in the coach. If you are near to the port, and can then spend a decent full day in Tangier, definitely go for it. It's a bit of a wild ride culturally as it's intense and very different to the European side of the med... I know a lot of people aren't fans of Morocco, but I think it is the closest place to Western Europe that has a completely different culture, and hence it is a great place to visit. (Post a couple of photos if you do go...)
As @The Royal Maharaja says, it is a culture shock, it took me few days to calm my ‘Western’ paranoia before I got to really enjoy being there. The crime rate is actually very low and once you bear in mind that the locals have no dole, or social security, you understand why, if you ask anyone for directions, they will want to show you the way in the hope of a few coins tip. Tourists are super-wealthy compared to the locals, so you’ll be a very welcome sight, due to the opportunity you represent for overcharging (haggling is expected), tipping and general backhanders should you allow yourself to be delivered to a restaurant, merchant, or other tradesman who will then repay the individual that has brought you to them. This we find naturally uncomfortable as Westerners because we left that behaviour behind in Dickensian times, yet the people are simply surviving on their wits and will do you no harm.
Absolutely love it over there, one of my favourite places in the world. Did the Atlas Mountains on a hired bike not long back. Only issue there was that you would have a lovely ribbon of tarmac that would suddenly become gravel for 20 metres where the earthquake had caused issues. Couple were mid corner and hard to see until you were right on them. As for the culture. They are the warmest most welcoming people I have ever met. My tip is don’t start a conversation with a local unless you have a spare hour. Learn a few words of Arabic and you will see their faces light up. The tourist areas are filled with wooden camels and cardboard Fezs, even a few miles off the beaten track sees a much more chilled out way of life. Local restaurants can be a table outside someone’s home with a tagine or two on the go and are worth seeking out. Cannot wait to go back. Traffic police are interesting - if they realise you are not local they may stop you just for a chat if it’s not the main tourist routes (one suggested his sisters restaurant/ cafe which was very good), but didn’t see evidence of them being dodgy, unlike some in mainland Europe. Driving/ riding is errrrrr interesting…….. Have your eyes on stalks and your head on a swivel in towns and I wouldn’t personally ride at night as biggest one wins seems to be the rule of thumb.
It's also one of my most favourite visited places too. Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, Essaouira... I'll never, ever, ever forget riding a camel under the perfect starry sky at about 4 o'clock in the morning in the desert near Merzouga...had the boys with us too...great times.
I’d venture to say that the most « anglo-saxonned » of you guys will culturally struggle in North Africa... The more « latined » inclined will definitely enjoy Morocco, which is way more European friendly than Algeria or even Tunisia, these days. The secret is to get rid of all your misconceptions and superiority complexes. People - anywhere in the world - actually sense those a mile away. And strongly resent it… Mutual respect is considered a virtue in North Africa. You are not visiting a zoo. And among the touaregs (bédouins, nomads), if you get to those more remote areas, hospitality offered to a visiting stranger is like religion: Holy. Enjoy if you go!
Obviously the various countries are not the same...where did you visit? I certainly found Algeria not so laid back.
It was Egypt, not on the coast. The Egyptians were horrible, every last one of them. Only interested in getting as much cash out of you as possible. Although if you tip the tourist police they'll follow you around and hit the children with a cane for you to stop them pestering for cash. When I say tourist police, imagine the scruffiest, dirtiest and smelliest individual that ever walked the earth, give him a strong cane and that equals the tourist police. Upt.
Morroco couldn’t be further different from Europe. It really is 3rd world out there. Corrupt cops meet you off the ferry and are straight at trying to bribe you. Food stains down their clothes, unwashed for probably weeks and looking like they spent their last few nights sleeping under lorries… Flies round the food even in the so called better restaurants. Wouldn’t go back if offered £1M! Shit hole of shit holes.
Visited Morocco in the early 80s - Sidi Ifni, Tarroudant, overnight bus over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech and then to Essaouira. Was great, traveling on local transport, interfacing with locals, turning up to places without any idea of where we were going to stay, what we were going to do or what we were going to experience. A real eye opener to a country and way of life I had not seen before. Basically, if you are blinkered or narrow minded, you won’t like it. If however you are open to gulping in a different culture and understand that it’s not an all inclusive, have it on a plate sanitised facsimile of a holiday - you may like it.
@bettes They are just like we were only a couple centuries ago, mate. For better and for worse. Considering Morocco 3rd world is not what a seasoned traveler would do. Go to Chad and you’ll know what « poor » really means. Or Bangladesh. Or any big city in India…
Ricky, it's got nothing to do with sanitised experiences. We've all got a certain amount of wonga to spend on the things we enjoy, that wouldnt involve all inclusive or North Africa for me, but we're all different. Give me a motorcycle, a wallet full of some'at, bends and Er'Indoors on the back......heaven. Upt.
Okay, so we’ve gone full circle now. Don’t go to North Africa- it’ll be wank. How many dingies do you see sailing south? I rest my case
Thanks for all comments, very entertaining. Did a bit of travelling when younger (3 months in India & Sri Lanka on the way to Oz) so open to different cultures and know a few of the cultural obstacles. I am in Tarifa, was going to get the ferry over for the day (well 5 or 6 hours). Sorry decided to give it a miss. If I was on my own I would have gone but did not want to drag the kids round in the heat and the Mrs was unsure. Also nearly £300 return didn't sit too well. Thanks for all comments Cheers Gaz
