Marrakech. Jemaa el-fna Square. The Madness.

I went here for the boy's only really but was Interested slightly myself at was It really as amazing as people had said to me before? So we went, I had a open mind and understood I will see thing's I don't agree with but at the same time be amazed because as we travel you have to understand this Is there culture not ours and I want my boy's to see and understand this, so yes we were there and we were going to experience Jemaa el-fna Square and enjoy our time.

    A bus ride from our camp and we were there after twenty minutes. First thought was it's not that busy? This was a place for tourists who were mainly avoiding the guy's sat with there Cobras playing a tune to there twisting movements as soon as you are there In the square. Every step we are shouted at "come In see my shop" constantly approached by men with menu's telling us this Is the best food here, screams from the juice stalls "50dh a drink" everybody want's our custom and this continued for the whole time as we visited many stalls the same. It became exhausting and now we were finally ready for food In a place of our choice if at all possible but before we headed off for a food place and there Is so many the boy's spotted the guy with the chained monkey which I understand Is a common thing here for tourist. It's there culture and I was totally amazed by this. This wild animal so tame jumping up for a picture with all three of us, and I enjoyed the moment but felt slightly sad I was on my way to Africa soon to see wild animals and now we were part of this madness. I kept telling the boy's It's the culture and there world not ours. We agreed It was sad and cruel but were amazed as I handed over 200dh for the experience (£16.00) approx.

     Now even more exhausted and taken back by the whole day we had found a food place. We sat on a long table with many tourists sitting along benches and ordered. Jacy munched through half a chicken & chips, Coban had his usual fish dish and I had a lamb tagine. Food was okay. Agreed with boy's it's time to leave after some four hours. We purchased two wooden cobras and ice cream and headed for the bus station which was in minutes of the square and we was on our way to camp very tired.

Run Wild & Free. Read the up and coming blogs about camping just outside Marrakech.

Tangier to Marrakech Sleeper Train. Awesome Fun.

The new ONCF station at Tangier, Morocco.

I mean WOW, the sleeper coaches are towards the back of the train and we were soon shown to our coach by a very smart guy who couldn't help us more if he tried, he really was great so my expectations of this journey were now very positive and the boy's were excited and very tired as the train departs 23:00. Lucky for me the boy's convinced me to buy the extra bed In our coach as they wouldn't feel comfortable with sharing and on opening the door it was a great choice. Two sets of bunk beds with very little room for anything else. The extra bed was used for our bags. Soon we were settled Into a room within the coach and I couldn't help but notice our coach and the train itself was falling apart, it was so hot inside the boy's chocolate they had bought was melting, the floors were dirty and the beds were okay but for us this added to our crazy adventure on the sleeper train we had imagined.

      We departed slowly with not much to see from our window as It was dark. With our window open and the noise from the tracks we picked up speed and was on our way to Marrakesh via sleeper train and It was awesome, exciting and a new experience to our life's. Within a hour or two the boy's were asleep and I relaxed with a bottle of cold water supplied by the guy's on the train and a good book.

So excited.

Jacy and his giant rucksack. 

ONCF train station for sleeper train Tangier.

1100DH approx (£110) get's you 4 beds(2 bunks) on a sleeper coach

No WI-FI

No plugs

Free water

Coffee/tea for a small price.

Arrives early morning 07:00-10:00 

Camping Miramonte Tanger(Tangier), Morocco Gallery.

                                Welcome to Camping Miraonte Tangier, Morocco.

                                          Maths while at our camp.

                                         Our spot.

                                          Guy's In charge doing photo shoot with boy's.

                                          Chilling In the sun with one of many cats.

                                                    Soilders on duty.

                                                    Welcome.

                                                    Out and about.

                                                    Beautiful.

                                                    Another friend.

                                                    Gecko.

                                                    Our best friend Torso! Italian dog.

A Journey Not Done Before? Ibiza-Barcelona-Tangier(Tanger), Morocco. The Gateway To Africa.

So we are not new to the first leg of the journey Ibiza-Barcelona. It was a quick ferry over to Barcelona at about 10:00 sailing arriving Barcelona 19:00. I've blogged about this journey but a through the night trip which apart from the daylight Is the same, same boat, same everything. It's the next leg that get's us excited. We are sailing to Morocco, Tangier at 21:00 from Barcelona which I'm still unsure of where it sails from, Barcelona yes, but what part of the port it massive? Adds to my excitement and the boy's questions are coming In fast. Dad where Is the ferry? Will we make It? I'm starving Ha. So with us docked Into Barcelona at 19:00 It's a mad rush for Information? Where Is the Tangier ferry? Security point me In the right direction which leads us to a rushed half hour walk across the port to the Tangier check In and wow. Within a walk through the doors a culture change has taken place In seconds. Suddenly we stand out a million miles from everyone else which Is great and already small Moroccan children have took a interest In the boy's and smiles, laughs and chit/chat starts to happen as I work out where to check In and It just happens to be the longest queue In the building.

     As time go's along It's not long before I realize that this line of Moroccan's Isn't moving to fast and the boy's are seriously fed up and It's drawing closer to departure. All Is fine we checked In with not long to go but hey that didn't matter In the slightest the ferry sailed some three hours late. I'd read somewhere this Is common so was not phased at all but the boy's had different ideas and I'd paid for a bunk room In advance so it was board ferry and off to bed.

     Room was as the same as every other room I'd stayed on, on a ferry with the boys. Two set's of bunk beds with a ladder each (great fun) a shower room and that's it! Couple of life jackets for the three of us, yeah I know what about me Ha? Why I booked the room I'll never know because for one night only I could of been a foot passenger like we normally do, save money and sleep In our bags on the ferry some place? Maybe I was thinking of how long the boy's had been camping for and the camping ahead of us.

     Round about price Barcelona to Tangier for me and boy's Is £150 foot passenger but I paid £260 for room for one night. I must of been flush that day or mad. Big blow to the budget.

     Waking up the next morning realizing after my shower that we were already some 4-5 hours behind the room was a great idea now as we would not be In Tangier until early hours, so we had a place to keep our rucksacks and a place to relax. During the day on board we just relaxed, snacking and enjoyed many walks on the outside of the ferry and up top because again the weather was sunny, dry and a lovely breeze blowing. A big let down for us was the pool on board was empty because to these guy's it was winter so seeing them wrapped up while we baked In the sunshine was great and made me laugh.

     4 am, I think some 5 hours late we docked In a very rough harbour and they ferry was being bounced everywhere while we queued to get off. The only time of the journey I just thought please get me off. So we were off! Now where the f@#k are we? There Is no-one to be seen anywhere?

Catch up on the next part of the madness, as we venture from port into Tangier for our one night In a hotel which we were late for, and how we made it over to our next camping location In Tangier.

     Run Wild & Free!! 

Our Time In Tangier |(Tanger) Morocco.

                                                                  Us on the water front In Tangier!

So we arrived In the port some five hours late, early hours with no cash on me and soon came to realize we were at the new port some distance away from the old port we thought we was getting off at, with a ten minute walk to our night in a hotel which was now going to be a morning In a hotel for just the free breakfast before I had to plan our next move to find a camp I'd heard of? Right first thing Is let's get off this ferry pray for a cash machine and get a taxi to the hotel. Cash machine was there and a short walk out of port was the taxis. Three guy's approached and I'd all ready had enough by this time and was tired, so tired that I was beyond working out that 600 dh they wanted for the 40 minute journey was actually not that bad but I was tired and In no mood so I paid 300 dh when arriving at hotel, later to feel like I'd ripped them off? And people warn you about Moroccan taxi driver's? Oppppppps!!!!

     300 dh later we are outside the hotel at around 6am and it's raining hard. The porter answered quick enough and I said we have a booking for last night but we are late. He looked a bit puzzled but showed us to our room. Soon to realize they were setting up for breakfast at this time I said can we eat? And we did. Lot's of food and drinks before we headed back to the room and fell asleep. Me and the boy's completely worn out on the travelling life. My thought was fuck Morocco. I was exhausted. I woke some hours later with now one hour to leave hotel and the boy's were still flat out asleep so I went downstairs and came across another porter who couldn't do enough for me. I was soon the happy traveller again loving life. When I asked him had he heard of Camping Miramontie his reply was yes but went onto tell me It may not be open. Shall I ring for you? I like this guy. After a few numbers and some repeated calling we got a yes. I woke boy's we headed back down with the gear. Porter ran outside called over a taxi and 20 dh about £1.60 got us to Camping Miramontie In the oldest Mercedies taxi I'd ever been In.
                                                                 Setting up In Camping Miramontie

  Within minutes of meeting our now new friend Ahamad at the slightly falling down double metal gates of the camp I knew I was liking this new found home of ours. Hey come In make yourself at home, camp where you want? Just you and the boy's? Yeah? Cool, a few handshakes later and a price of 40 dh a night, under £4 we were happy and we could hear and see the ocean. Perfect. First thing I noticed was the big green, awesome looking truck parked up, so we camped just across from it, In at some point hoping to meet the big green truck driver. Set-up was quick. Tent & tarp up we went to explore with the hotel at the top of the camp In our mind as there was a pool, three of them we could use for a small price as somehow It was connected to the camp. Up top was amazing. Pools were there, cafe/restaurant and a amazing view of the ocean. We will be back.
                                                               The hotel up top from the camp.

Turns out that camping here was a great choice on our part. It was so basic It was perfect. Couple of showers, a few sinks to do some washing of pot's and pans and clothes. And we later was told that we could use the small kitchen to cook and eat. A small gas bottle and ring was free to use for all us tent/tarp people which later I replaced the gas bottle. 50 dh (£4 approx) amazing value. This place was the closet camp to the port and good value so we met a awesome bunch of people every few days be it guy's with moto homes, moto bike guy's and many who were making there way down South via jeeps, trucks and all kinds. Walk out of the camp and go left Is the beach all the way into the old town. Great markets and cafe's here. Everything you could need was close and If you made a right you could find a supermarket/shopping centre within 15 minutes walk. We had a great time and as always made some great friends.
                                          Water carried by Jacy back to camp.

                                         The hotel and pool up top from the camp

                                          Father and son at the hotel

                                          Back streets.

                                          One of three slides.

                                          The Italian dog on site.

                                          Tangier beach

The Chilled Side Of Ibiza. Cala Nova Camping!

                                          Rock Fishing Ibiza. Cala Nova.
We arrive here out of season, so for us Is a extra bonus. It's quiet leaving just a few locals that live on camp all season enjoying the last few weeks and packing down also a few late In the year tourists for some winter sun. At 25 euro a night it's expensive, but it's Ibiza! Everything Is at camp you will need for basic camping, Supermarket onsite, showers and In season live bands/DJ'S daily. It so relaxed it's easy to forget the world and a few minutes walk Is the Cala Nova beach! It's just lovely. Windy side of the Island so there's surf to play In for the boy's and on the calm days snorkeling Is a must. Two sections of the small beach Is a nudist area so if not your thing I would not go as you won't escape it, but I'll have to admit I love a naked sunbathe It's refreshing and a swim. Feeling of freedom Is not to miss.

                                          Walking In The Tree's In Ibiza.

                                          Cala Nova. Ibiza! ME!!

                                          Jacy Love's The Island Also.

                                          Rain Storm Tent.

                                          Walking Wild & Free.

                                          New Men. Haircut.

                                          Love's it.

                                          In the Tree's.

                                          Camping Cala Nova.

     Don't be fooled by the sun we had some insane rainy day's which left us In the tent playing cards for hours and hours. There's not much else to do over this side In Ibiza but it passes and we were soon back In the sunshine. Everyday was pretty much the same, beach for hours, swimming, surfboard fun and some rock fishing which was great. Coban and myself caught species of fish we had not caught before so we were buzzing!

A small walk will bring you to Eivissa town where we caught busses to different parts of the Island. 10 euro seems to get you everywhere you want to go, it's great!! Restaurants here Including a English style pub. I had a pint In a old original pint glass. This was a highlight of mine! I know right!!! Loads of shops, fairground rides, nightclub or 2 and  lovely harbour where you can do the whole peddle boat, glass bottom boat all which we had done so this trip over was really for relaxing which we did!

I love Ibiza. The sun shines, it's great for the boy's, the people are so laid back and cool it's refreshing! Nothing not to love.

                                          My Cool Catch Off The Rocks.
   
Are time here Is short. Two weeks. Before we know it's pack down day and oh my did it rain. It took most of the day stopping and starting between showers trying to dry gear but a great laugh it was. Once packed up we headed off to the closest town again and a 25 euro taxi ride takes us again back to old port Ibiza for a ferry back to Barcelona with a quick change of ferry's as we board to Tangier,Moroco. Yes we are are off to Morocco , Africa. The plan Is unknown, new and very exciting. Where will we end up and just how much of Morocco will we see? Can't wait!!!!

The Love For The Island Of Ibiza!

 The morning has come In Barcelona to pack down the set-up and head for Barcelona Port and the weather Is on our side, It's sunny, dry and the winds are light. Great thing about this ferry trip Is for 150 euro we can go as foot passengers late evening and arrive early morning In Ibiza which gives us a relaxed pack down day.
     The evening was perfect. We set sail at 19:00 and the skies were clear and we sailed under the sunset as the beautiful picture of my son shows as he looks out on open ocean with lake like water. It really was perfect.
     With the sunset now out of view, we headed In and found a nice place to lay our sleeping bags for the evening crossing to Ibiza. Yes you don't have to take the seat they give you or pay for a bunk you can sleep around the ferry In a sensible place and enjoy a drink from the bar "expensive".
     05:00 and we are docked In Ibiza old town. Early yes, but I like this. No rushing and no tourists to be seen anywhere. Ha! I'm a traveller Ha! So outside the por Is a 10 euro bus to town where we would find a 20 euro taxi to camp Cala Nova and look for a pitch. Thing's get a little expensive here, but It Is Ibiza and I love the Ibiza.
     Keep up with me for Information, advice whatever as we enjoy Cala Nova Ibiza Camping.