FUN-travel: Tarifa, Spain & Tangiers, Morocco
September 1, 2012 by Susan Clarke
Trip Day 44 – Thursday, August 23 – Tarifa, Spain & Tangiers, Morocco
What I LIKE
- slept great on the top floor
- floor fan blocked out the street noise
- 7:50 am walk to ferry terminal
- coffee shop opens @ 8:00
- on way find locals morning coffee & churro shop that opens @ 7:00
- reserved guide for full day tour of Tangiers, Morocco from Rick Steves book
- 8:40 board
- 9:00 ferry takes off on time
- only takes 35 min
- met on pier by guide
- driver & guide take us on tour of Tangiers
- drive through wealthy area of palaces
- see King’s summer palace
- go to Hercules cave – on the ocean
- see camels – already rode one in Egypt
- 12:00 1st stop – The Medina (Old Town) – dropped off at top – twisty, narrow, steep lanes wind down to 2nd stop – the Souk (market) – filled with merchants selling everything – fish, meat, olives, cheese & bread
- see pair of snake charmers
- 12:30 lunch – typical tourist restaurant – traditional music provided by 4 musicians – only thing missing are the belly dancers
- 2nd stop – Kasbah – loosely translated to “fortress” – residential area within the walled city consists of more twisty lanes
Local Bakery
- 3rd stop – US Embassy – first ever in the world
Snake Charmers
- 2:15 – head down to ferry terminal
- will take earlier ferry back
- at least we have a cool breeze
- 8:00 pm (Spain time) finally back in Tarifa & civilization!
- 9:00 – dinner @ El Puerto – clams in garlic sauce, grilled fresh Tarifa tuna steak
What I DIDN”T LIKE
- breakfast is included but doesn’t open until 9:00
- have to stand in long line on ferry to get passport stamped for Morocco
- guide I hired sent someone else in his place & guide tried to lie about it
- paid for a full day tour – over in 5 hrs
- 4:00 ferry is smaller and they limit number of passengers – cars take precedent
- don’t get on so we’re stuck on dock for another 2 hrs
- worst part of all is can’t even get a beer!
- didn’t get in line because it was in the sun & stayed back in the shade
- tour groups from Tarifa get on – should have gotten in that group
- Ferry Fiasco! -6:00 ferry arrives and there is major pushing & jockeying to get first in line
Local Farmer
FF (FUN-fact) – Morocco is one hour earlier than Spain.
More FF – Many people can’t afford private ovens, phones, or running water so they have communal options. Locals drop off their ready-to-cook dough at the bakery.