Today was an early start as we were advised to check in 90 minutes prior to departure. We opted for a tour with FRS Ferries. This was approximately 250 euro for the four of us. In hindsight, well worth it!
Ferry departed from Tarifa, Spain, at 11am and takes 45 minutes - its the fastest ferry to go with. Tarifa is known as the kite surfing capital of Europe due to its windy climate. Unfortunately we didn't see any or even have time to look at the town.
As were were boarding an FRS guide was there to advise us what we needed to provide (passports and forms for arrival in Africa including a Coronavirus declaration). After passport control in Spain, we were advised to queue right away for Africa passport control on the ferry, which we did. This took 20 minutes or so but was all done before the ferry left. Headed outside for views to depart Spain.
Journey was nice and relatively calm, although quite cool outside in the wind. Boys were super excited to have their passports stamped, it doesn't happen often these days!
While aboard and just before arriving in Tangier, our on board guide located all in her group to advise what would happen when we leave the boat. We were then greeted by our tour guide, Ali, wearing a traditional djellaba (or jillaba). This is a long, loose-fitting unisex outer robe with full sleeves.
We were driven a short distance out of the port to the base of the medina, which is the old town or part of a city. Here we were met by a second guide (who's name sadly we didn't get) who 'brought up the rear' of our tour group. This was all very reassuring, as there are many people just trying to make a living by selling you stuff all the time, and then you get held up while the group continues on.
Drive to Tarifa with Gibraltar Rock to the right and Africa to the left in the distance.
Our ferry.
Ferry terminal building with the Castle of Tarifa in the background.
On board the ferry!
Looking toward Tangier, Africa
Arrival in Tangier, Africa
About to head into the Medina.
Lunch at Restaurant Hamadi.
Vegetable soup and shish kebab for lunch along with bread. We also had cous cous with chicken and vegetables. This traditional Moroccan lunch was included in our tour. Drinks were extra but a very affordable addition!
Moroccan music to accompany our lunch.
Women and children come here early in the mornings to wash themselves and clothes, as many don't have running water in their homes.
Kasbah Museum. The top writing is Arabic and read right to left. The next is Berber and the bottom French. French is the third official language of Morocco after Arabic and Berber.
Banana tree in the gardens of the Kasbah Museum.
Look at the above right of this photograph for the baby tortoise. These were just randomly inside the Museum of the Kasbah.
This was some form of 'light' or candle holder inside the Kasbah Museum
Can you believe it, yet another scene set from James Bond's movie Spectre!
Baking bread. Literally, the blue door on the left of this picture is the door to this house/room/oven!
Berber carpet/rug store. Family run business for many generations.
Views from the rooftop of the Berber rug store (above and below).
View of Kasbah from below.
Lighthouse near where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.
What an experience for €2! It was the weirdest experience ever! I've ridden a horse before but this was so weird when the camel stands up and then kneels down again!
The shape of Africa made by thre light shining through thre rocks in the cave.
The patterns you can see on the ceilings are due to round 'discs' of rock being cut out. Not sure what they were used for, however these patterns were right through the cave!
The Mediterranean meets the Atlantic somewhere out there!
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