Morocco 23

PhilandMena said:
I think what you were subjected too was not potential Moroccan skullduggery but typical Moroccan kindness and honesty. The street sellers and souk dealers will fleece you with a great smile and a warm handshake if you allow them too but my experience is of a people who are very friendly and having a desire too look after visiting tourists. Once you have been in the country for a short while all will become clearer.
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The street traders and souk dealers are not out to fleece anyone,they just want the biggest price they can get for whatever they are selling. The aim of the barter is to reach a compromise price where each party is happy. You have a bargain and the trader has made a really good profit,its usually a win win. If you don't like the price ,don't buy. Unlike the UK if you start picking things up, it shows an interest to purchase Moroccans dont browse ,they don't have the time or inclination.The banter is usually all carried out with a friendly approach once you suggest a price however ,be warned that it won't go any lower.
Enjoy the experience. (y)
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
The street traders and souk dealers are not out to fleece anyone,they just want the biggest price they can get for whatever they are selling. The aim of the barter is to reach a compromise price where each party is happy. You have a bargain and the trader has made a really good profit,its usually a win win. If you don't like the price ,don't buy. Unlike the UK if you start picking things up, it shows an interest to purchase Moroccans dont browse ,they don't have the time or inclination.The banter is usually all carried out with a friendly approach once you suggest a price however ,be warned that it won't go any lower.
Enjoy the experience. (y)
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Good point well made.
 
Jeffr3y said:
Where are these toll tags purchased from and do they cover all motorways, do you top up online after you get the tag? tia.
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We purchased the toll tag on the exit to Marrakech there was a tent with jawaz flag a couple of young lads sorted it and even stuck the tag in the window
 
some people think it is taking advantage to haggle prices down.
Moroccans are canny business people - they know exactly what their costs are and will not sell at a price that doesn't leave them with a profit.
remember that Moroccans have to haggle too - its a ritual and you are expected to join in. Take your time and expect a haggle to take some time. If you hurry the process you will inevitably end up paying more than necessary. if you get a really good deal you will be accorded the compliment of being a "good Berber man/woman" (Berbers are renowned for their haggling skills).
Just make sure you approach the process with good humour and respect. moroccans have a great sense of humour and love a laugh but don't like rudeness (they plenty of that from the French!)
 
I'm not sure if there's a size limit to these posts but what follows is my experience and antics on trying to get on a ferry for the first time (also in a foreign port and foreign language) thought it might be helpful to someone as inexperienced as I am.
Sorry it's a long read.

Looked at the port on google maps and found what looks like the place to aim for (Punto de Embarque Algeciras-TángerMed, Algeciras, Spain)

At the last roundabout leading to it there was a Police car with the policeman standing at the roundabout exit, I showed him my ticket and he said yes take this middle lane, but when I reached a porta cabin checkpoint just before a barrier the woman inside said you can’t proceed and you have to turn down the exit lane back onto the dual carriage way I just come in on, so now I was a loss what to do so I pulled in behind some barriers to think it over.

As it said to arrive an hour before the ferry was due to leave and I was about an hour and a half early I thought perhaps that was it I was too early and as there were lots of HGVs going in I thought maybe they were loaded first, so I thought I’d wait and see if any other motorhomes appeared and went in.

After it got less than an hour in advance I thought I’d try again and joined the HGVs going in, again same result, woman wouldn’t let me in I think she said it was closed so I had no choice but to drive back out again.

So I thought perhaps I’m at the wrong entrance as I still hadn’t seen any other passenger traffic only HGVs so I decided to go further round the dual carriage way and instead of coming back in to this way in try the other options there was coach parking and short term parking so I chose the short term parking – parked up and went in search of the ferry company information desk

I found two guys at a info desk for my ferry company AML (Africa Morocco Link) and showed them my ticket, they said the 10:30 ferry that was on my ticket had been cancelled and the next one was 14:30!

So after asking if I was going to the right gate and them explaining I wasn’t and telling me the correct way to go I thought ok I’ll go in and just wait for the 14:30 ferry.

So going in this different way brought me to another checkpoint and barrier, so I showed the two girls there my ticket and they said there was no reservation number on the ticket and wouldn’t let me in!

So again back round to the short stay car park and back to the two guys I’d spoke to earlier I explained they wouldn’t let me in as there was no reservation number on my ticket/s they said there isn’t because they are open reservations (I take that to mean any ferry from Algeciras to Tangier-med with that company, they said that’s correct) but I said how am I supposed to get past the girls who say I need a reservation?

So then they said there’s another Ferry company information desk in the next building and suggested I walk over and talk to them!

So off I go traipsing off to the next building sure enough another info desk why there are two and in different buildings is beyond me!

The woman looked at my tickets made a phone call and then said yes your tickets are ok.

So I said am I ok to park in this short stay carpark until an hour before the 14:30 ferry and she didn’t like that idea she made another phone call after that said the girls should let you in now I’m presuming she’d got me permission to go in early and communicated also to the girls that my ticket didn’t need a reservation number.

So off I go again, when I tried to get out of the short stay car park this time it wouldn’t let me out presumably because I’d been in too long so I had to navigate round a 90 degree diversion lane which I could just about inch through back into the carpark and go in search of the ticket machine where I presumed I would be able to pay the excess charge, that found, and done I managed to get back out of the carpark back round to the ladies at the barrier who (after a bit of communication over the radio) let me in this time!

I was guided into a holding lane behind another car then an official came to see me from the AML ferry entry checkpoint he asked me for my tickets and passport and said he needed to take them to the checkpoint to issue my ferry tickets (hold on I thought they were my ferry tickets!)

When he returned he had stapled some extra tickets onto the ones I originally had, he said when loading starts and I check in at the booth they will finalise them.

This then is what happened, I finally progressed when the loading time came and we (the passenger traffic) loaded on forwards after the HGV traffic which had reversed on, my van was directly facing one of these HGVs and it occurred to me that at the other end I’d be reversing off as did transpire.

On the ferry I prefilled the two forms I’d received with my original tickets joined the queue at the Passport Control desk and waited about 15-20 minutes for someone to show up and start processing them.

Gave him my forms and passport which he entered details into his laptop stamped the forms and my passport returned my passport and I was waiting for one of the forms (I’d presumed one them would be my ID card for some reason) but no its just the number he stamps in your passport that is your ID number.

The vehicle import procedure is done after you leave the ferry on the way to the exit at the customs point there’s a lane for vehicles registered in Morocco and one for vehicles not registered in morocco the vehicle import document is just a little credit card size ticket now, then when they are happy the say you can leave.

By this time it was around 5ish so I just pulled onto the carpark behind the currency exchange booths and stopped there for the night.

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It may have changed of course but it used to be just get in the lane for Tanger med and wait your turn, mind you we always caught the earlier boat, allowing max time for sorting the vehicle out. The important bit is you re over and you've got your number so go forth and enjoy :LOL: :giggle:
 
I managed to get a Maroc Telecom sim card I've put it in my galaxy note 10 which takes two sims and enabled data on sim 2 with my vodafone sim in sim 1. (Vodafone charge £6/day for Morocco data use!)
Does anyone know how to check how much data used and remaining when you have a Maroc telecom card set up like this?
 
Do we get a choice of ferry company with Carlos?
If so, did I read that FRS seem the easier?

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sciac2001 said:
Do we get a choice of ferry company with Carlos?
If so, did I read that FRS seem the easier?
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Pre Covid -Carlos used to offer Acciona Algeciras-Tanger med or Tarifa-Tanger Ville for the same price

Acciona boat is a horrible old thing with a downstairs pit to go into and the really steep stair and generally grotty but it goes to tanger med which exits straight onto the Motorway. Note Midday crossing rarely goes.

Tarifa is a much nicer boat, faster, cleaner, more reliable etc, Downside is that you need to drive through centre of Tangiers so probably not for the first time traveller, and be very careful of heights, Its a cat so if you re over 2.7m then don't drive up the lanes because although it says 3.1m, it actually isnt at the front.

My choice would be to go FRS Algeciras Tanger med, but does just depend on the price nearer the time.

Jeffr3y Did you get an open return from Carlos?
 
Jeffr3y said:
Does anyone know how to check how much data used and remaining when you have a Maroc telecom card set up like this?
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I can't remember . But try ringing #544#
You get the info in French. I can speak French but it took me a few tries to understand what the machine was telling me. It was the bit after the decimal point that confused me which of course was the megabytes rather than gigs.
Otherwise try texting 580.
I'm not sure on either of these pieces of info so if you find out please let us know
 
On my Huwaia mifi I use the text facility, I think it was 555, and it came back with the balance. Also top up the same way after getting a top-up card from any Maroc Telecom shop/booth etc.
 
Jeffr3y said:
The vehicle import procedure is done after you leave the ferry on the way to the exit at the customs point there’s a lane for vehicles registered in Morocco and one for vehicles not registered in morocco the vehicle import document is just a little credit card size ticket now, then when they are happy the say you can leave.

By this time it was around 5ish so I just pulled onto the carpark behind the currency exchange booths and stopped there for the night.
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That was a good read,thanks for taking the time to post it. All part of future memories. Surely you forgot to add you swiftly opened a Cool One🍺 when you parked up. Hope the rest of trip goes smooth.
 
All is looking good for now, green card arrived by email, Travel insurance renewed, fly back to Alicante early Jan, so could look at crossing about the 15th, anyone else going around this time.?

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jongood said:
Pre Covid -Carlos used to offer Acciona Algeciras-Tanger med or Tarifa-Tanger Ville for the same price

Acciona boat is a horrible old thing with a downstairs pit to go into and the really steep stair and generally grotty but it goes to tanger med which exits straight onto the Motorway. Note Midday crossing rarely goes.

Tarifa is a much nicer boat, faster, cleaner, more reliable etc, Downside is that you need to drive through centre of Tangiers so probably not for the first time traveller, and be very careful of heights, Its a cat so if you re over 2.7m then don't drive up the lanes because although it says 3.1m, it actually isnt at the front.

My choice would be to go FRS Algeciras Tanger med, but does just depend on the price nearer the time.

Jeffr3y Did you get an open return from Carlos?
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Yes open return, when the AML man from the ferry entry gate/barrier gave me my tickets outward he gave me the return ticket and although it has "Tanger Med - Algeciras 07JAN2023 Vessel F/B morroco Sun" printed on it he said ignore the date, so I hope there's no issues about that, I hate it when people just tell you things verbally and don't give you written confirmation that you can present.

I also notice it says "THIS IS JUST A VOUCHER Please exchange it for a valid ticket on the day of departure.
So that must be what I got from Carlos a voucher to exchange for a ticket before boarding.
 
Yep, that's exactly right. When you return just go to the ticket office at check-in with your return voucher and they'll issue boarding cards for the next available ferry.
I say available but we've never left Tanger-Med at the advertised time so don't plan on being anywhere soon when you land back in Spain.
Have a great trip, keep posting and we'll probably meet up somewhere - someone usually posts a "where we'll be" message.
 
Changing the subject slightly, what sort of clothes should we pack for Jan - Feb. Planning to head right down to just N of the tropic of Cancer unless Rog gets tired of driving. Weather - hot in the day, cool at night? And as for modesty - are shorts and T shirts OK on camps sites & beaches?
 
When we were in Agadir in February, it was warm during the day not hot, but chilly in the evenings, a coat was required.
 
Jane And Rog said:
Changing the subject slightly, what sort of clothes should we pack for Jan - Feb. Planning to head right down to just N of the tropic of Cancer unless Rog gets tired of driving. Weather - hot in the day, cool at night? And as for modesty - are shorts and T shirts OK on camps sites & beaches?
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If you get as far south as Dakhla then the weather will be quite warm to quite hot. Be prepared for a VERY long drive. Its a total of about 1250 miles from Tanger Med and the last 400 of those are down the coast on the edge of the desert. Its pretty barren and very few places to overnight unless you are prepared to just pull off the road amd park in one of the small towns (we did this once)
Its a few years since I was in Dakhla but there were a couple of campsites and a couple of wild camping spots. Town itself is not very big with a small souk, a range of shops and restaurants/cafes.
when we were last there the King was visiting and the town was decked with flags and locals celebrating.
Note it can get VERY windy which is why it is a very popular windsurfing and kitesurfing spot. The French Olympic windsurfing team was training when we were there. We left when the wind whipped up a dreadful sandstorm.
i will have a look for photos on my laptop tomorrow.

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Jane And Rog said:
Changing the subject slightly, what sort of clothes should we pack for Jan - Feb. Planning to head right down to just N of the tropic of Cancer unless Rog gets tired of driving. Weather - hot in the day, cool at night? And as for modesty - are shorts and T shirts OK on camps sites & beaches?
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Yes that'll be okay. The locals, of course, will be going around with heavy coats, hats etc as it's their winter season and thus, for them, cold. They tend to look bemused upon European visitors in just shorts and t-shirts but accept it with no comment. Of course more modesty is required if you visit mosques etc - some do allow ladies to visit but require an almost full cover up and fellas in long trousers.
 
Does Carlos want cash or does he do card payment ??
Also what is the best time of day to get the Ferry ??
I know, questions questions, but I would sooner know now than be in headless chicken mode at the ferry.
Thanks in anticipation.
Mitch
 
TerryL said:
Of course more modesty is required if you visit mosques etc - some do allow ladies to visit but require an almost full cover up and fellas in long trousers.
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If you are not Muslim the only mosque one can visit is the Hassan 11 in Casablanca. You have to take a guided tour which we can very highly recommend.( In English)

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MitchandJenny said:
Does Carlos want cash or does he do card payment ??
Also what is the best time of day to get the Ferry ??
I know, questions questions, but I would sooner know now than be in headless chicken mode at the ferry.
Thanks in anticipation.
Mitch
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It seems from reports that Carlos now takes cards
The best ferry option is the earliest.
 
Yes, go for the earliest you're happy with - we usually ask for one around 10.00am as anything before is a little too early for us! This is really so that if you get delays, and I've never yet not been delayed somewhere, you're not chasing around in the dark in unfamiliar territory trying to find somewhere to overnight.
 
Thanks all. Warm & cool clothes will be packed. Dakhla was the town - we thought it might be warmer, but it does sound to be a mission. We’ll see how the driving goes. Would love to see photos please makems

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Note, if you're going as far south as that you will be venturing into Western Sahara which is technically a different country, although it has been claimed by Morocco (still disputed) but administered by the Moroccan government. Expect more police checks and having to repeatedly give your details, you may find making multiple copies of the ID document at the end of my Resources post to be useful, saves a lot of time if you can just hand them a copy.
 
TerryL said:
Note, if you're going as far south as that you will be venturing into Western Sahara which is technically a different country, although it has been claimed by Morocco (still disputed) but administered by the Moroccan government. Expect more police checks and having to repeatedly give your details, you may find making multiple copies of the ID document at the end of my Resources post to be useful, saves a lot of time if you can just hand them a copy.
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Correct. On our trip to Dakhla I ran out of the “fiches” I had pre-prepared and had to hand write the details at every checkpoint of which there are quite a few.
also note that it is unwise to go further South from Dakhla without being part of an armed convoy.
 
Many years ago we drove by the long beaches with countless windsurfers.
But we missed any smaller more protected beaches on the Atlantic side. There must be some.
 
Photo heavy - but someone DID ask for pictures of our trip to dakhlia!

On the way down you will have to get used to seeing hour upon hour of this:
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Truck drivers can be quite impatient
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Some unusual sights on the way
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There are places where the road leaves the coast and cuts across the desert Even here they put out the flags for the King's visit
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There are very few camp sites but quite a few wild camping spots on the coast
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The road into Dakhla
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A brief stop for coffee with PhilandMena (there aren't many restaurants)

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The beach next to the main campsite
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We left Dakhla when a bad sandstorm blew up
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Beach campsites much further north?

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