Wonderful Morocco MCT2501
We start the city tour of Málaga at the central market we're fresh fruit, fish, meat and olives are being sold. After a walk along the promenade we arrive on top off the castle which provides a beautiful view on the bull fighting arena and the harbour. The majestic cathedral after that is breathtaking. And so are the tapas for lunch. Then it's time for some hardcore art by Pablo Picasso.
After getting to know all the tour members during the welcome dinner, the day has come that we're starting our adventure! First along the rolling hills of Andalucía, we get on the ferry crossing the street of Gibraltar. The first daily briefing at sunrise. A nice view on "The Rock" off Gibraltar and a bit off a rocky crossing brought us into Africa. After the traditional border crossing we immediately feld the Moroccan atmosphere, especially upon arrival in Chefchaouen, the índigo city.
Der Today begins in the blue city that bears its name due to the two mountain peaks that rise above it. We mount our bikes and just a few kilometers later, we enjoy the panoramic view of the city once more as we refuel our motorcycles. Through the foothills of the Rif Mountains, we then take winding roads to the first coffee stop of the day in Quezzane, where we are warmly welcomed and engage in pleasant conversations. After another 100 km, we stop at the archaeological site of Volubilis, where we enjoy not only some culture but also our lunch, which was not only plentiful and tasty but also took some time. So we decide to shorten the afternoon a bit and skip the last coffee stop of the day. Just before the hotel, we empty the tanks at a local gas station, which requires us to fill the rest of the bikes at a second one. And once again, a hint of Africa is felt. What impressions on this wonderful day! While having dinner in our mountain hotel, we reflect on it once more and look forward to tomorrow. Good night.
Traveling is also about meeting the locals and eating good food. So, that's what we did and it was great! Thrilling to see how great the roads in the atlas mountains are, can't wait to the rest of the days!
Today also begins sunny and with a winding road. After a short ride through the mountains, we visit Morocco's highest and most beautiful waterfall and stop for coffee. We then continue through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains until a roadblock unexpectedly interrupts our journey. So we head back to the nearest larger town and activate Plan B with a local and delicious lunch. We continue along the other side of the ridge toward Marrakech, where we make a short visit of the medina just before reaching the hotel and then treat ourselves to a delicious dinner in our beautiful accommodation. We're already making plans for the following day, and we fall into our pillows, exhausted and full of anticipation.
Early in the morning we're heading for down town Marrakesch. Our local guide Ahmed takes us to the Jewish quarter and we visit the oldest synagogue off Morocco. Wandering thrue the medina, watching how metal lamps are being made, smelling thousands off different herbs and spices and finishing it off with a roof top lunch
After leaving our beloved Marrakesch, we're heading into the Atlas mountains again. A spectacular road with many sweepers and switchbacks leads us higher and higher. Snowcover mountains, deep river valleys and people who are living 100 years back in time. The kasbah of Ait Bennedou is another highlight. A place where for hundreds off years the camels caravans rested. Upon arrival at the hotel us thirsty travelers are having beers in the hotel
Today began with a private tour of the Atlas Studios film city. After gaining interesting insights into the film industry, we continued along the south side of the Atlas Mountains to the famous Dades Gorge. Jan welcomed us with a wonderful picnic before we explored the gorge on our bikes. The unique play of colors in the rocks and vegetation fascinated us and left unforgettable impressions. Over dinner, we shared our experiences and discussed some preparations for the next day. We're already excited.
After having a lovely breakfast we head out for our first highlight: Todra Gorge. A spectacular narrow gorge with steep rock walls and a river running thrue it. Sue to the presents off water it's a true oasis where birds thrive. After a top quality coffee we head further south. Holger has prepared a great picknick in the middle off nowhere! And as further south we get, the landscape is changing: dunes, camels and beautiful rock formations. Finale we arrive at our destination, ath the boarder off the Sahara dessert from wear we will be picked up to start our new adventure: sleeping in the dessert!
After we came back from our desert camp by camel or 4x4, depending on the taste, some relaxation was announced. Some have spent the day at the pool while others have been looking for the adventure with quads or buggies in the dunes or simply visited the nearby town. Tomorrow we're going back to the motorcycles.
By far the longest riding day today so we head out early after saying goodbye to the sand dunes of the Sahara. Traveling over the Atlas mountains and thru the Ziz valley. Here people have been harvesting Dades for centuries and they are really tasty! In a text book manner we went thru Fes and upon arrival Holger had prepared the traditional boot beer! Well deserved!
After a hearty breakfast, we began our day of rest in the beautiful city of Fez with a visit to a traditional pottery, a leather tannery, and a stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, the Medina. After a delicious lunch, we took another break at the hotel before heading back to the Medina in the evening to try various restaurants. A thoroughly successful day.
We continue north to the starting point from which we began our tour of Morocco. First, we drive a bit out of Fez and stop for an early lunch. Fortified, we tackle the highlight of the day – the narrow streets of Little Andalusia. Simply wonderful. We arrive in Chefchaouen early enough to explore the city a bit more before enjoying dinner together with a beautiful view of the Blue City.
It's always a little bit sad to have the last riding day, but we're going to enjoy the last views in Morocco, sailing on the street of Gibraltar and riding thrue Spain! After being close together for 2 weeks saying goodbuy was a bit difficult. But plans are allready being made to go on new tours, so dear friends; until next time!