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We headed to Algeciras, Spain (on the southern coast of Spain) and arrived around 2pm. We walked to the port and caught a bus to the city of Tarifa. It was about a 30 minute ride through windy country roads with a beautiful hillside lined with massive wind turbines. We jumped on the ferry from Tarifa which was ridiculously windy and waited for the short 1 hour crossing. Once in Tangiers, we found a taxi (with little trouble since they harass you the moment you get out of the terminal) and took a super sketchy ride to the train station. Our train was supposed to leave at 5pm and it was 4:50pm. The cabby stopped at one point, got outta the car, and yelled at a truck driver who was stalled in front of us. Nonetheless, we made it to the train station alive. While waiting in line to buy our tickets we realized they didn't accept euros and none of our bank cards worked in the ATM. So we traded currency with some nice American lady who definitely made a couple quick bucks off us but we didn't care since our train was set to leave any moment. After waiting in a european lineup for what seemed like forever (nb. european lineup is our term for lines in europe where people have no courtesy and just swarm to the front, budge, elbow, whatever it takes - we soon grew annoyed and at one point later in the trip yelled at a guy for his attempt to get in front). Anyways, we made the train which didn't actually leave for another 30 mins. Trained to Rabat (4hrs), cabbed to our hotel and passed out.
The next morning we were greeted with a continental breakfast in our room and we soon checked out and waited for a bus to take us into town. Our hotel was awesome and cheap for our standards but expensive for Moroccan standards. Right on the beach, full amenities including pool and clay tennis courts. Met a cool guy on the bus who gave us some pointers and the number of one of his many girlfriends (this one lived in Milan). There aren't bus stops there, you just wave the driver down. Also, you don't pay upon entering, someone comes and collect money from you while you're seated.
We found our hostel eventually ($6/night) but were disappointed with the Asian toilets (aka. hole in the ground). We headed into the market, perused the shops, had some lunch and fresh squeezed orange juice (all with the change in our pockets).
We then took a taxi to all the different sites (walking wasn't worth it when a cab costs less than a dollar). We went to the old town with the original wall and a great view and walked through the adjacent garden.
Then we checked out the Musoleum and Hassan Tower where two kings were buried.
Then we went to see the ruins of the roman city (Necrolpolis of Chellah) which had nice views and was interesting. It started to sprinkle so we got outta there fast only in time to witness the downpour of all downpours. We were in summer attire and of course, every taxi was full. 15 mins later of waving down taxis, we finally got one and went back to our hostel, however not before getting gelato on the way. Everyone stared at us - two kids in shorts and sandals with gelato while everyone took refuge from the rain. Literally, pedestrians were at a standstill until the rain stopped. That night we had a good dinner (with terrible service) and tried going to a club but it didn't open til midnight and we weren't too keen to begin with so we opted for a good night's sleep instead.
The next morning we woke up early and headed to the train station - except the cabby took us to the wrong one...this was only a start of things to come for this day...
previous travel blog entry
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