Our trip was born from the idea of testing our clothing collection inspired by the Dakar drivers. like our monkeys, on the hard Moroccan tracks we reached the gates of the Sahara.
This time we parked the motorcycles and went in our off-road vehicle, a classic, a 1980 Jeep cj7.
In preparation for the car, we improved the suspension system, thanks to some good but affordable shock absorbers from Boss (@zs_suspension).
This modification was essential to not break either the car or our bodies. The improvement in comfort during this long trip was noticeable.
We started from Vigo and headed to Almendralejo (@hotelacostavetonia, a receptionist of 10), so we would sleep about 3 and a half hours from our destination, Algeciras.
What do you need to do and know to cross the border?
It is important to be at least two hours before in case the access gets stuck and about 40′ before in the boarding queue so as not to miss the ferry.
During the journey you will have to cover one document for yourself and another for the vehicle you are carrying.
– IMPORTANT is the green card and authorization of the owner of the vehicle if you are not the owner.
Moroccan Customs stamps a number in your passport if it is the first time you enter the country.
And radio stations are not allowed but they play if you have it disassembled, but sometimes not even with those.
Money in Morocco
On the other side of the border we can exchange currency, which at the moment still benefits us (1 Dirham = €0.91). The price of Gasoline and Diesel is no longer cheap, paying up to 1.46 liters. So it’s time to leave the V8 engines at home for these mile-long adventures. We can also buy a phone card, there are unlimited 1-month data rates for €19, it is advisable to buy in phone stores or from uniformed and identified salespeople ( @inwi @maroctelecom …)
The roads are now quite good and they are not so dangerous but I still recommend not driving at night.
A great addition is that we now find many vans adapted as cafes where you can have a coffee or tea for a price of Dh10. price for foreigners, for them between 5 to 7 Dh. although they will ask you for up to Dh15. if we let them.
The haggling is still done today but due to the overcrowding of tourism the prices are no longer close to what they paid.
Food and Accommodation
There are always small times throughout the towns and cities where you can buy bread, water, etc. as well as being able to stop at the open-air butcher shops where, according to the neighboring bar, they can prepare some incredible dishes for €15 to eat four people.
IMPORTANT “THE PRICE IS ALWAYS NEGOTIATED BEFORE” then they charge you what they want and unpleasant situations can occur.
The hotels are already at European prices!!! and the quality of service and facilities must be experienced with humor, between €35 to €50.
The campsite continues to improve and still respects affordable prices for backpackers.
When crossing the country there are paid highways, you must carry cash in Dirhams, because cards do not usually work.
Conclusion
This year in particular we made the @rallysolidario a trip to bring help in the form of bicycles, school supplies, etc. to the most depopulated areas of nomadic towns that are outside the tourist routes. A highly recommended trip with a lovely team and people.
They were days of tracks, sand, reaching Merzouga where we went down the biggest dune of our lives, not suitable for the faint of heart, but which our jeep far surpassed, emulating rallies like the Dakar.
Our clothes were perfect for day to day, the super versatile jumpsuit was cool during the day and kept us warm when night fell, although sometimes we added a flannel shirt to enjoy the fire at the bonfire.
It is not our first adventure in Morocco but this country always surprises.
