Morocco
On the 16th December, Rebecca and I sent sail from Portsmouth and after a tranquil crossing of the Bay of Biscay we arrived in Bilbao.
Spain | Morocco
Nick Foulerton | Rebecca Young
16th December 2005 – 6th January 2006
After two chilly days crossing the plains of Spain and the straights of Gibraltar we arrived in Tangier.
"...as a blizzard closed in, it became the most difficult motorcycle ride I have ever had."
We spend down Morocco’s only motorway to the capital, Rabat and the following morning headed southeast. The aim was to cross the 2706m Tizi-Tirherhouzine pass, which is nothing more than a rutted serious of tracks, marked with cairns, as a blizzard closed in, it became the most difficult motorcycle ride I have ever had.
Safely over the Atlas we passed through the dramatic Todgha gorge and out into the Tinehir oasis, before turning south along the Dardes valley. At the fortified town of Quarzazate we traced the Asif Ounila river west to the exotic ruined town of Ait-Benhaddou, rising out of the palm groves. We then began the long climb over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, stopping briefly at the faded splendour of Kasbah Telouet, which was only abandoned in the 1950’s after long being home to the Glaoui family.
We spent Christmas in Marrakesh only to climb back over the Atlas, via the Tizi-n-Test pass, before riding to the oasis town of Zagora.
We pitched camp among the mighty dunes of Erg Chebbi...
...where I proposed to Rebecca as the sun rose over the Sahara. With the sands behind and marriage ahead, we rode north to Fez for a New Year of whirling dancers and musicians.
On 6th January we arrived back in England after a 4000 mile whirlwind tour.
Maps
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