Apart from a football match around midnight (think it was organised as they had a whistle), some kids thumping the back of the van and then the call to prayer from the mosque right behind us, it was a relatively peaceful night!
We made our way into Tetouan first thing in order to visit the Inwe shop for a SIM card. Needed a passport, but the man fitted it, so now we’re back online. Tetouan seemed like any other modern city to us. The streets were clean, but a lot of food places were closed due to it being Ramadan.
We had decided to head straight to Chefchaouen this morning as the weather was forecast to be good. It was only about an hour’s drive and for the most part the road was good.
We did however come through a town called Zinat (we think), where the road was completely unmade and there was some kind of market on. It was absolute chaos, but I didn’t get many photos as it didn’t feel like the right thing to do.
There was some very different and green scenery as we edged into the Rif Mountains and climbed up to the town of Chefchaouen about lunchtime.
Got straight into the only campsite which was a bit muddy in places as they’ve had rain recently. Had lunch and then walked down into the very beautiful blue town.
No sooner than we’re out the gate, we get offered weed. It’s very available here apparently. Politely declined!
As we got past the city walls, we were suddenly in the labyrinth of the medina. Stuff for sale everywhere, but no hassle. Every street and every corner is a potential photograph…it was all really lovely apart from the odd smells from time to time. The famous blue shades everywhere apparently came about when the Jews moved into the Medina around 1760. They added indigo into the whitewash to contrast against the traditional green of Islam.
We walked down to the Ras el Ma where there’s a massive waterfall probably made more impressive by the recent rains. The locals seemed to be really enjoying the spectacle too.
Dragged ourselves back uphill to the campsite late afternoon. We’re really quite impressed so far …I think I like Morocco more than Turkey!
