Posts tagged ‘africa’

Entering Morocco, Africa

From now on, it’s only half a day to arrive in Algeciras, where the boat departs to Africa (Morocco)! Still not bad, with this very inefficient way of driving-sleeping-driving :)

I had slept perfectly well! I slept on the ground for 8 hours, not too much people around and it was a very quiet place. We alread saw a lot of moroccan people who were of course heading to Morocco.


Roads much travelled..

Coastal Highway of south Spain

Today we took the boat to Ceuta. In Algeciras we were able to find some tickets at the counter. The meter showed 98368km, so it’s about 2200km from Almere to Algeciras. Before departure a moroccon guy walked around with white pieces of paper we had to fill in, then he charged us 2 euro’s after filling it in. Nice trick dude! But no, we already know how it works around here, it’s not the first time. He walked away disappointedly. These papers were just the pieces of paper you need to fill in when crossing the border, but that’s not somehing to pay for. I was shocked to hear the price of the ferry with our car: 286 Euros roundtrip! The price was for vehicles with a maximum height of 1.90m, and we’re abit above it but we got through it, otherwise it was even more expensive!


Port of Algeciras

The powerferry to Morocco

Then the boat arrived in Ceuta after 35 minutes, we knew the situation at the border so we try to look as we were home, so they didn’t bother us with all that crap that we need help and about ‘vague and difficult formalities’. After some time we were done, even the car was not inspected at all. We’re in W123 paradise again! W123′s all around the place here, It’s still the same as back in 98, when we visited Morocco too, but now we’re driving in a W123 ourselves too.
We took some pictures of the well known spot, after entering Morocco, all those blue W123 taxis standing on the big parking place. Through the whole of Morocco you’ll find W123′s. That quality monster is used as a Taxi all-over, but it’s also a much used family car.
Out of the bigger cities it’s the car you see most I guess.


You don’t need a station to transport a refridgerator.


The taxi standing place in Ceuta

After that we stopped for a swim, Ramon was amazed about the difference between Europe and Morocco. We saw the moroccan women swim with their clothes on, which was a strange thing to see. While leaving, I circumvented a crazy man who wanted to charge us for parking somewhere on the sand.


Ceuta, Tarred roads, but not too much pebbles in it, so it sounds like you drive in a parking place and you don’t have too much grip

No drinking water and electricity in the room? Take it with you ;-)

We continued to cosy Chefchaouen today and stayed in Hotel Sahara, next to the old medina. We could park the car in front of the hotel, so we could see it. Then we went to the room, to avoid the heat and to take a nap (I was still tremendously tired).
We wanted to filter some water so we took the jumpstarter with us and the filter and the waterbags. After the nap we went for a walk and a meal into the medina and then walked through the tiny streets of lovely Chefchaouen. The first day in Morocco pleased us all.


Typical moroccon door

All kinds of color for painting stony surfaces

The day before departure to Africa!

Today is the last day before departure to Africa. Lots of things needed to be arranged, at the last moment, that is today, I had to arrange the international drivers license, and the international car insurance at the ANWB yet (8 minutes before closing time, oef!). The tension rises, tomorrow we will really depart, after three weeks of preparing lots and lots of things. Until the last day before departure I had to work and besides that I had to do lots of things, so I did not have to much sleep and did 13-16 hours a day of working and preparing. Not a good condition to start a big trip like this.
Especially the preparation of the all the things for the car took lots and lots of time. Particularly the lifting of the Saharagelber costed too much time, I did not have the right stuff to do it, so I’ve been busy wrestling with the shocker and the coil springs for hours and hours.

Take away the dogs, always a bit difficult.
Important stuff for the trip, eg the waterfilter, the compressor, and some tools
This needs to fit in
And it easily fits. We like to travel as light as possible.

The Saharagelber is raised pretty much and well equipped with heavy duty shockers and coil springs. Only the rear shocker weren’t available, they just don’t exist for the T-model. I hope they will last at least this trip, I am not sure what to expect, but I’ve tried to prepare as good as possible.
It looks like we’ve finished bright on time, today we had pleasant evening with our families as we will be away for a long time. Melissa is now preparing the last things, mainly food and other stuff from our (immense) todo list. I’ve just put all the camera batteries in the chargers and now I’m done and tired, I am going to sleep now…


Ready for take off.