A taste is indeed all you will get on a quick daytrip from Tarifa, Spain.
It is a chance to get a glimpse into a previously unknown world! Morocco was not initially on the itinerary; however, it is only a 45-minute ferry ride away and very reasonably priced. A return trip on the ferry cost about €40 compared to a €59 tour complete with tours of the Kasbah, Souk, shopping and lunch! Going against our normal travel style we went for the tour!
Was it a good choice or not?
The first plus for the tour was the pickup direct from the hotel, sadly the bus drove right by us meaning a mad scramble to get down to the ferry. Which they kept tied to the dock until we arrived. Hurtling up the boarding ramp through black fumes, avoiding the cast off mooring lines, was not the most relaxing way to start our journey.
If you decide to take, the trip be aware that your passport has to be stamped by the police on the boat! Directions please people!
Thirty minutes later, stamped and labeled, we met our guide. Bashir spoke much better English than our Arabic, even if it was a little confusing at times.
We started with a drive around the newer part of Morocco with a visit to do what every tourist has to do in Morocco Camel riding. It is a very unsecure feeling as the Camel lurches to its feet and even worse, when it goes onto its knees for dismounting. The trick is to hang on tight to the saddle. The camel owner was making darn sure he got a tip, directing Mike in taking photos and posing for photographs.
Then on to the Kasbah, this was a whirlwind dash through a maze of stall-lined alleys. One wrong turn and you could wander for hours. There is no fear of being lost you will get many offers of help as long as you have a few Euros or Dollars with you. Everywhere you turn you will be offered jewelry, belts, handbags, pottery, gaudy plates, pictures, wooden camels and help! All for a negotiable price of course!
Tour groups usually end up with two guides, the “tailer” makes sure that everyone ends up in the same place, he will request for a tip at the end of course.
Included was a surprisingly tasty lunch of soup, followed by kebabs, chicken with couscous and a strange Baklava. Hot mint tea and enthusiastic musicians accompanied lunch! Seemed like the prettier the girl taking pictures the more enthusiastic they became!
Guests then go “Shopping” No! We were not allowed to wander the Kasbah, we were herded into a huge shop and treated to informative talks about, carpets, pottery, local spices and herbs. The spice salesman was hilarious and worth the inflated prices!
The tour finishes around 3pm and you arrive back at the boat safe and sound after surviving a day in Tangier.
Our take on this trip.
The tour is OK if you can deal with the blatant favoritism of eating and shopping places. It is a good introduction to Morocco. Next time we will do our own thing, even if we do get lost in the Kasbah! Help is easily found, there is always some bright young boy who knows English, Arabic and the way back to your hotel, for a price of course!
