Morocco 2009
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Inspired by other recent trip reports I thought it was time I submitted a few photos of our trip to Morocco last year:
Over the Easter period 2009 we three; Myself 13 year old daughter Bec and SWMBO Jan
drove our 1961 Land Rover Series 2 Dormobile from North Yorkshire down to Portsmouth to catch the PO ferry to Bilbao then drove the length of Spain in two days before entering Morocco and Africa via Cueta. We were attempting a Trailmasters Atlantic Sahara. The route is described thus; incorporates fabulous mountain transits, a long desert crossing, the spectacular Atlantic coast and some days for relaxing, exploring and enjoying. After viewing the ancient city of Volubilis and the Imperial city of Meknes, we continue via the spectacular Ziz valley and the pre-Saharan plain to the Berber town of Tinerhir. Here we spend a night before taking a southern route over the Jebel Ougnat Mountains and on to one of the wonders of the Sahara, the gigantic dunes of Erg Chebbi. Turning west we begin our four-day desert crossing which is without doubt the best desert itinerary in Morocco, through remote and dramatic Saharan landscapes, staying a night in an isolated nomadic settlement before calling at Zagora for supplies; here we spend two nights taking time to explore and recharge the batteries. Our route then takes us via Mhamid, on to Tata on the 2004 Paris Dakar route, and over the Anti Atlas Mountains before arriving at the walled town of Taroudant known justifiably as ‘Little Marrakech’. We spend two nights in this exotic town with its fascinating market life, and then on to the Atlantic coast, continuing north via spectacular cliff-tops and sweeping bays to spend some time in the delightful fishing port of Essaouria. The homeward journey takes a route via the coastal lagoons of Moulay Bousselham and on to Ceuta and Spain. This is an attempt to portray the 3 week trip in some of the photos we took.
Ferry Queue at Portsmouth, we got to board with the vans rather than the ‘motorhomes’ over to the right,
Boarding,
First place to stop in Spain after the chaos that is the Bilbao rush hour.
Getting to the end of Europe, Gibraltar comes into view, driving there was a personal ambition having arrived by RN Grey Funnel Line Ship or RAF Air Transport so many times before.
and leaving Gibraltar astern,
Africa in sight, we entered Morocco via Ceuta
After money changing and fueling we headed south to the Roman ruins at Volubilis,
Running repairs to our companion 110 in Meknes,
Late breakfast in Azrou, with the snow covered High Atlas in the background,
We had aimed to spend a couple of days in the Atlas and Cedar Forest via Meknes and Azrou but snow was still low and falling in the mountains!
So after a very cold night camping in the Cedar Forest we made all haste for warmer parts getting into the pre saharan plain at the bottom of the Ziz Gorge then onto Ar-Rachidia and into the desert at Boudnib.Going through the Middle Atlas
Ziz Gorge
The vastness of the desert,
Bea in the dunes of Erg Chebbi,
Desert guest house,
Lac Maider
Lunch at 42 Degrees,
Bea in her element,
Comfy camping in Zagora,
The famous Timbuctou mural at the start of the Piste out of Zagora,
2 slightly broken Land Rovers in the middle of nowhere on the Piste between Zagora & Tata, me with a broken rear half shaft and the 110 with an exploded front Diff.
Cobalt mines in the Anti Atlas,
Entrance to Taroudant the ‘Little Marrakesh’,
Heading back north up the Atlantic Coast,
Essaouria,
Lunch time,
and finally back into Spain and the long slog back up to Yorkshire,
Hopefully that may be of interest ,
Kind Regards
Phil😀 i have seen on the SII forum but i see again with a big pleasure
merci beaucoup de montrer une land rover dormobile dans son élément 😉
Thank you for this report. Great pictures, particularly in the dunes.
I have been to these places in Marocco before albeit on a korean rent a car scheme. No the same thrill I suppose…
🙂@wyvern wrote:
How long was your trip door to door?
Looks a fab adventure!It was a tadge under 4000 miles door to door, ran in the new Turner re-manufactured engine a treat!
Off again next year to explore some more, hopefully with a few of the Yorkshire Tdi mob 🙄
Cheers
PhilDear Phil
Great photos and trip record.
Would love to be able to convince my better half that a hard slog down to Morocco next year would be a good thing, but she did agree to camping in the Lakes this year and so who knows? She does prefer flying, but we have never visted the Eastern deserts .
My better half, Mo, after a hike down and up a valley in the Tiz n Test Pass ex Taroudant in 2004.
Kind regards
Paul
@maldonmud wrote:
Would love to be able to convince my better half that a hard slog down to Morrocco next year would be a good thing, but she did agree to camping in the Lakes this year and so who knows? She does prefer flying, but we have never visted the Eastern deserts .
Hi Paul,
We are going again next year but the slog down will be better than it has been as Brittany Ferries who have taken over the route are now offering Portsmouth – Bilbao in 24 hours from next spring rather than the old PO 2 day cruise. That will also remove a lot of the old dilema regarding if it was better to go across the channel and drive down through France.
The other option we have been looking at as Jan is finding it hard to get more than 2 weeks off in one go, is me driving down and meeting her in Southern Spain as she can fly from Leeds Bradford to Malaga direct for £150 return with very little hassle. Malaga down to Algecieras for the ferry to Cueta is then a mere couple of hours drive.
A persuasive argument for a lady who prefers flying to driving?Kind regards
PhilDear Phil
Flights for most + drive down for 1 sounds good.
When in 2011 are you currently plannng?
Last time in April 2007 we flew into Fez with BA on an indirect flight and took buses/trains & taxis to travel around 500kms and for the last day stayed at Riad Laaroussa in the Medina in Fez.
VolubilisIf Ryanair are still flying into Fez in 2011 would be tempted to fly in the family there rather than to Spain and probably overnight at the same Riad as a distraction to that will follow
Just need to convince the family, my better half & two sons.
Kind regards
Paul
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