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Damage in Morocco

Writer's picture: KellyKelly

Not even a week in Morocco and we already have damage to Globus2. Really annoying! We don't know if we can get it repaired here. We might not even be able to drive it any further. More about that later in the blog, first our first experiences in Morocco. Crossing, customs, the people etc.

Camels on the beach
Strand van Asilah

Crossing to Morocco

The past few months, everyone we spoke to was talking about a certain Carlos. With him, you can arrange the crossing cheaply and quickly. So we went to this well-known Carlos to book our tickets. We were very curious about this company. What kind of travel agency would this be? A small-scale one-man business that sells tickets for the crossing? It was clearly a successful company. Many campers were queuing. Buying the tickets was a bit chaotic, but we were quickly helped in a friendly manner. We even got a bottle of wine and cake with the tickets. Very thoughtful.


On board

The next morning we take the first ferry to Tangier Med. The prayer rooms and the images of King Mohammed VI immediately catch our eye. Once on board, we first arrange a visa at customs on board. After the stamps are put in the passport, we enjoy the sun on deck.


Stressful moment

Actually we were a bit tense on the boat. Not because we find Morocco so exciting. No, because a number of things were not quite right for a smooth entry to Morocco. The following things were almost right:

  • The green card, which is so important in Morocco, shows an incorrect start date of 28-01-2025. Of course Globus 2 is insured, but this can only be proven digitally. Moroccan customs would like to see the green card on paper and not digitally.

  • In addition, the night before we thought that walkie-talkies might not be allowed. Richard had read that once in a book about Africa. We knew this about drones, so we dutifully left them at home.

  • Richard also occasionally takes a rapé . A what?! Rapé, that's a kind of snuff from the Indians of the Amazon. It is particularly effective to introduce a meditation. The drug dogs won't react to this, will they? Surely not, but in retrospect we would have preferred to leave it at home.

As we drive off the boat to customs, I can hear the dogs barking in the distance. “Chicken, calm down,” Richard says. That’s what he often calls me when I’m experiencing a stressful moment.

"Traveling? Everything you leave at home is a bonus"

Customs

Arriving at customs, we show our passports for the fourth time, which are then taken away. How was it again, never handing over your passport? While waiting, we see numerous packed Moroccan vans and cars. The vehicles are filled with stuff both inside and out on the roof. They are picked out by customs and have to really take all their stuff out and then wait for the check. It is already clear that the instructions of the customs officer have to be followed closely , otherwise he will come running angrily gesticulating. After a while, the drug dog Globus 2 comes in and sniffs around, but fortunately does not react. Then we get our passports back, including a small white piece of paper. That is the proof that we are temporarily allowed to import Globus 2 into Morocco. Without that piece of paper, Globus 2 will not leave the country. We are allowed to continue. Relieved, we drive into the country.


Withdrawing money and SIM card

Once through customs we immediately withdrew money and arranged a sim card. Without cash you won't get far here. At Inwi we bought an unlimited sim card for €50,- with a validity of 30 days. Via hotspot the other person can also use this card. By the way, the sim card was installed and activated immediately by the employee, ideal!

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Chaos

What immediately strikes you is that the cities are overwhelmingly chaotic. While the muezzin calls for prayer, pedestrians cross the street in a criss-cross fashion, mopeds come from all directions and there is a lot of trading going on in the streets. When you walk into the medina , you go back in time for a moment. In small dark shops you see people weaving textiles, making shoes, making furniture and repairing cars.


Mess

There is a lot of rubbish along the roads. You also see people almost everywhere hanging around aimlessly along the road. Or are they waiting for a lift? We experience the population as extremely friendly and very social. They greet and help gladly.

A lot of rubbish along the road in Morocco
Overal rommel langs de kant van de weg

Police

It is unbelievable how much police you see here. At roundabouts, toll roads, when you enter or leave a city, you can't think of anything that you don't pass another checkpoint. We had already heard from others that humility and showing respect is important. So wait for a nod and a friendly smile to be allowed to continue driving. Stop sign really means stop here, even if there is clearly no traffic coming. The same goes for keeping to maximum speeds. They are everywhere with radar guns.


Star in windshield

Injury .

Even if you stick to the rules, you can always have bad luck. While driving, a flock of birds suddenly flew low over the road. And yes, one hit the windshield, causing a large crack. Besides the shock of the impact, it is especially annoying of course. It has to be repaired. However, that turns out to be not so easy. The VW Crafter is not that common in Morocco. At the VW dealer they could arrange a window that would arrive in a month at the earliest. Not what we had in mind. After looking at various options, we ended up at GlassAuto. They managed to get hold of a second-hand window without windshield heating. We are happy to accept that as long as a new window arrives. Driving on the highway while you hear the cracks creaking is not exactly relaxing.


Garage

After a few days of uncertainty, we finally managed to install a new window today. That is a great relief! We can safely continue our journey.

GlassAuto Casablanca
 Super service van GlassAuto
 
The route of Globus2

Where are we?

We are now about 3,200 km from the Netherlands. The crossing from Spain to Morocco actually went very smoothly. Our sympathy goes out to the bird that destroyed our window. It did not survive. We are staying at campsites and camper sites on this trip, that also goes smoothly. We are now in Casablanca and are going to visit the large Hassan II Mosque, which we are very curious about. Then the plan is to continue our route further along the coast to the south.


 

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