Colorful Marokko - MCT 2503
Some guests decided to explore Malaga before the tour begins tomorrow. So, in the morning we set off for the “Mercado Central de Atarazanas” to experience a colorful, very authentic local hustle and bustle. We continued to the Plaza de Marina, past the town hall and the bull fighting arena up on the mountain to the "Castillo Gibralfaro". From there, we had a fantastic view of the city and the harbor. Back in the old town of Malaga, we lingered in the “Plaza de Merced” to enjoy local food specialities and made a short detour to Picasso's birthplace. Following small streets through the old town, past the Picasso Museum, we arrived at the “Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación”, an impressive 16th-century building. Another stop for local specialties followed before we made our way back to the tour hotel. There we met all the other participants of the tour for a welcome briefing and the first dinner together.
Finally, the time has come: the first real day of riding on our tour is on the agenda. And we have our first big adventure to tackle. Because in order to ride our motorcycles in Morocco, we first have to cross the border. And that... well... can take a while. So we take the fastest route to Algeciras, where we catch the ferry to Ceuta. On the way, we even catch a glimpse of the Rock of Gibraltar. As expected, crossing the border takes a while, but we get through without any problems. Shortly after crossing the border, it becomes clear to us that this country is different, this country is exciting, we want more. Welcome to Morocco. Our first destination is Chefchaouen, the Blue City, at the foot of the Rif Mountains. By now, Morocco has completely captivated us. And the best part is, we'll be coming back here.
After our first Moroccan breakfast and resolving the very confusing parking situation, we set off on our first full day of riding in Morocco. Until our first coffee stop in Quezzane, the roads were beautifully winding, but with a few bumps that we had to watch out for. We stopped for lunch in Volubilis, a Roman archaeological site. Everyone had enough time to either look at the excavations and have lunch later, or take a break and eat something right away. In the afternoon, we had our first experience with Moroccan city traffic in Meknes. It was very challenging and unusual, but everything went well, so we safely reached our afternoon coffee stop in Ifrane. Ifrane, a popular winter sports resort, surprised us with its very European architectural style. Just 30 minutes later, we arrived at our hotel on time, leaving everyone plenty of time to rest and relax.
It is still pleasantly cool as we set off for breakfast. The mood is good and we can hardly wait to get back on our bikes. After a short briefing, we're off. Our first mission this morning is to make friends with the local wildlife. Thanks to the help of some locals, we manage to do this quite quickly and they literally eat out of our hands;-) Today's route is varied and the roads are in good condition. Some sections make our motorcyclist hearts beat noticeably faster. We roll through small and larger towns and mingle with the locals during our breaks. There are countless little things to discover on the left and right sides of the road. It simply never gets boring driving through Morocco. Later in the afternoon, we reach the first foothills of the western Atlas Mountains, and the last few kilometers to the hotel are like a roller coaster ride, at the end of which a five-star hotel with one of the most magnificent views we've seen so far awaits us. What a day!
After a great breakfast, we set off for Marrakesh. Everyone had been looking forward to this. But first, we took a short break, including tea and coffee, at the first highlight of the day, the Ouzoud waterfalls. Just getting there, on small mountain roads, was an experience in itself. We continued on beautifully winding roads to Tanant, where Tom was already waiting with lunch prepared at a local café/snack bar. From there, it was only another 2.5 hours through high-altitude desert landscape with corresponding temperatures. A stop to regulate the temperature and replenish fluids was necessary before we reached Marrakesh. Marrakesh welcomed us with incredible traffic that seemed completely chaotic at first glance. But you just have to go with the flow and it's only half as chaotic. At the end of the day, everyone reached their destination safe and sound and happy...
The alarm clock rings much later today than it has in recent days, because today is a day of rest. And travelers should also take a break sometimes. Nevertheless, our hotel is not located just anywhere, but at the gates of the old town of Marrakesh. The city is a vibrant metropolis, full of life and energy. And it wants to be discovered. With a local guide, we venture into the labyrinth of the souks, where hundreds of traders offer every conceivable commodity. People are criss-crossing the streets, scooters and bicycles are making their way through the crowded alleys. After a while, we begin to see a structure in all the chaos. Different areas are characterized by different trades. There are spice merchants, blacksmiths, artisans, and tailors, all seemingly in their own area of the market. With every step we take, a new, exotic, interesting scent wafts into our noses. Again and again, our eyes are drawn to the many small details. It's a very special experience. But to make our Marrakesh experience perfect, a visit to the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa after sunset is a must. We won't forget these impressions anytime soon.
What a day yesterday was. Overnight, we had time to process our impressions of Marrakesh. And although we could certainly spend days here, our caravan must move on. Today, we will cross the High Atlas and delve deep into Berber country. The Tizi N Tichka Pass is our route of choice. The road is in fantastic condition and offers breathtaking views to boot. We left the big city behind us long ago. The traffic has thinned out considerably and the landscape has changed dramatically. Rugged, sometimes deep red rocks without any vegetation characterize the landscape. This makes the greenery along the riverbanks seem all the more lush. Countless small villages line the banks, where time seems to have stood still. Riding a motorcycle here feels special. Welcome to the Route of the Kasbahs. Our destination today is Ait Ben Hadou. The name of this place may not be familiar to everyone, but fans of films and TV series will find the sight very familiar.
After a very restful night, a hearty breakfast, and the obligatory briefing we set off early to arrive at today's sights on time. Our first stop were the „Atlas Film Studios“, where over 200 films have been shot. During a very interesting and informative tour, we learned which Hollywood blockbusters were filmed here. But today's highlight was undoubtedly the Dades Gorge. The scenery was unsurpassed and the drive up to the highest point was spectacular. A few photos over coffee and tea at the viewpoint rounded off the day.
After narrowly escaping the rain yesterday, the new day greets us with clear air and bright sunshine. Perfect conditions for a successful day. Our destination today is the mighty sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, but before we venture into the desert, there is another must-see in Morocco on our list: the Todra Gorge. And although it is less well known than the Dades Gorge, it is no less spectacular. We take the time to explore this fascinating place extensively before continuing south. In the middle of nowhere, we meet Ron again, who has arranged lunch for us under acacia trees. A real caravan finally takes a break in the desert. In the afternoon, we finally reach our destination. But our journey is not over yet. Most of us experience the sunset on the back of a dromedary, which, even if the start was a little bumpy, is a very special experience. The day gradually comes to an end as we camp in the desert. Musical accompaniment included.
What a long day yesterday, and we reached the most southern point of our journey and ended up in a fantastic desert camp. There we hiked on dunes, enjoyed the sunset, and had a very good dinner together. Afterwards, we watched a musical performance by Berbers and ended the evening together with conversation and drinks. Guy (a guest) insisted on entertaining us with guitar music. Early in the morning, we all met to watch the sun rise over the desert, an impressive spectacle. We simply enjoyed the time and the peace and quiet and let the desert work its magic. After breakfast, we drove through the desert and over high dunes back to the hotel, where Tom was already waiting for us to discuss and plan the rest of the day. Half of the group wanted to continue relaxing at the hotel and by the pool, while the other half needed more action in addition to relaxation. So, a buggy trip into the desert was quickly organized. Everyone was back together again for dinner. During dinner and the conversations that followed, the experiences were emotionally discussed and shared once again.
Unfortunately, we had to leave our home in the Sahara today, but not without taking a farewell photo in front of the hotel entrance. Today, we had a long 475 kilometers ahead of us, so we set off in time at 8:30 a.m. Our first stop took us to the Ziz Canyon, where we enjoyed the view over coffee and tea. Our further journey towards north took us through the Legionnaires' Tunnel and on to the plateau of the Middle Atlas. Fantastic views, passing oases on well-paved roads, made the kilometers fly by. Further north, the vegetation and views changed. Fruit orchards and green forests with Atlas cedars now dominated the landscape. In the early evening, exhausted but happy and with many new impressions, we reached our destination for the day, Fes. The evening ended with conversations on the hotel terrace overlooking the old town of Fes.
After yesterday's long day, we are enjoying the fact that we don't have to get on the motorcycle today. We are in Fes, one of the most interesting cities in the country. And today we are going to explore it. It is our third and last rest day of the tour. With our local guide, we set out to explore the medina, which is crisscrossed by thousands of small alleys. We look over the shoulders of craftsmen and learn more about the history and culture of Morocco. In the evening, we venture back into the medina, where we end the day comfortably above the rooftops of the city with traditional food and music .
Still thinking about Fez and its medina, we leave this breathtaking city today after two wonderful days and head north. The landscape outside Fez welcomed us charming and varied. Around noon, we reach Quezzane, where we enjoy a hearty lunch before continuing our journey along lonely mountain roads. Olive groves, cork oaks, and coniferous forests, as well as the winding road, are reminiscent of southern Europe and make the area Morocco's “Little Andalusia.” Despite an unplanned longer stop, we still arrived in Chefchaouen in time for everyone to enjoy the blue city at their leisure.
The muezzin's call to prayer wakes us up just in time for sunrise. What a perfect start to our last day in Morocco. The ride towards the border has a lot to offer once again. Beautiful mountain panoramas, winding roads, and the typical Moroccan hustle and bustle on both sides of the road. Time to say goodbye. When we arrive at the border, we quickly notice that the staff are taking their work very seriously today. Nevertheless, we are well prepared and manage to catch the ferry on time. Back in Spain, we take the fastest route back to Malaga, where we spend the evening together looking back on these last two magical weeks.