Firestorm in Morocco
Firestorm in Morocco
Any other MAG members read the account of the editor's journey through Morocco in the latest edition of The Road (MAG quarterly)? A Firestorm (ridden by British) was mentioned in passing. Respect to that man - the inconvenience of a short range must take on a different perspective touring there. I can't imagine there's a BP garage round every corner. And what must his wrists be made of?
IMHO In my book this deserves much more respect than very fast riding on Sundays.
I hope his journey was succesfull.
This is why I bought DR800 - I can do 3500-4000 km in 6 days in France on their perfect twisties, but when road surface becomes rough it is very painfull excersise to ride sportbike. And I can guess roads are far from perfect in Morocco (according to colleagues at work). Thumbs up to that man.
I hope his journey was succesfull.
This is why I bought DR800 - I can do 3500-4000 km in 6 days in France on their perfect twisties, but when road surface becomes rough it is very painfull excersise to ride sportbike. And I can guess roads are far from perfect in Morocco (according to colleagues at work). Thumbs up to that man.
4 wheels moving body, 2 wheels moving soul
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yellowtrev
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire
Well if anybody is thinking of going to Morocco on a storm, just to let you know its 1452 miles from Le Havre to Casablanca. 
When you do get there there are few petrol stations, mostly taking cash only, the diesel is very sulphur rich and dirty, not sure about the petrol.
Surprisingly the roads are not too bad, there are newish motorways<toll> and the other ashpalted roads aren't that bad. Possibly due to no frosts, snow, roadsalt etc.
If you venture off into the really tiny villages away from the main route you will need a BMW GS or similar.
Excellent scenery,food and unspoilt,untouched landscapes.
I used to work over there.
When you do get there there are few petrol stations, mostly taking cash only, the diesel is very sulphur rich and dirty, not sure about the petrol.
Surprisingly the roads are not too bad, there are newish motorways<toll> and the other ashpalted roads aren't that bad. Possibly due to no frosts, snow, roadsalt etc.
If you venture off into the really tiny villages away from the main route you will need a BMW GS or similar.
Excellent scenery,food and unspoilt,untouched landscapes.
I used to work over there.
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yellowtrev
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire
I would say that of the people i came across/encountered/worked with over the 8 months i was there, 95% were okay,pleasant,friendly etc etc.
Only one small incident in Tangiers one night and a bit of awkwardness in Rabat but other than that no problems.
The road from Tangiers to Casablanca via Rabat is a real eye opener, with the sea on one side and farmers ploughing with a cow and a wooden plough on the other.Then there will be a bloke standing by the side of the road with a huge fish for sale that he has just caught, amazing.
Casablanca is well worth a visit.
The authorities have to be plied with cigarettes but nothing too much, good fun actually.
One thing i will say is that opinions towards Westerners may have changed recently with 9/11 and the rest of it.
But i would definately reccomend it, like all other countries, learn a bit of the lingo and you will be well away.
If you went i am confident you would be amazed, really amazed.
Salem alikem.
Only one small incident in Tangiers one night and a bit of awkwardness in Rabat but other than that no problems.
The road from Tangiers to Casablanca via Rabat is a real eye opener, with the sea on one side and farmers ploughing with a cow and a wooden plough on the other.Then there will be a bloke standing by the side of the road with a huge fish for sale that he has just caught, amazing.
Casablanca is well worth a visit.
The authorities have to be plied with cigarettes but nothing too much, good fun actually.
One thing i will say is that opinions towards Westerners may have changed recently with 9/11 and the rest of it.
But i would definately reccomend it, like all other countries, learn a bit of the lingo and you will be well away.
If you went i am confident you would be amazed, really amazed.
Salem alikem.
thank you very much! This is seriously priceless info for me, as I try to plan few big journeys for future and one of them is Morocco.
BTW - as far as I know from my (they did all Middle East tour - 3 of them on 3 Varaderos last year) and from my work trips to ME being Ukrainian helps to confuse local people and they do not take us as Western or Eastern people - just different
and very friendly.
BTW - as far as I know from my (they did all Middle East tour - 3 of them on 3 Varaderos last year) and from my work trips to ME being Ukrainian helps to confuse local people and they do not take us as Western or Eastern people - just different
and very friendly.4 wheels moving body, 2 wheels moving soul
. If you're stuck, PM me and I'll get copies to you.-
yellowtrev
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire
Bluesman, no need to book hotels etc, just go with the flow, have a general itinerary and route but other than that go where it takes your fancy.
Hotels are as cheap as you want, barter for everything, they love it.
The Marco Polo hotel in Tangiers on the main road near the port was 100 Dirham, about £6, for a double room. The one i used to stop in near the Royal tennis courts in Casablanca was marble throughout, air con, satellite tv etc etc and was about £30 per double or twin.
A packet of fags will ensure your bikes are safe as a bloke will sit and watch them all night for you!
Enjoy the tagine
Hotels are as cheap as you want, barter for everything, they love it.
The Marco Polo hotel in Tangiers on the main road near the port was 100 Dirham, about £6, for a double room. The one i used to stop in near the Royal tennis courts in Casablanca was marble throughout, air con, satellite tv etc etc and was about £30 per double or twin.
A packet of fags will ensure your bikes are safe as a bloke will sit and watch them all night for you!
Enjoy the tagine