On Monday, we had a day of torrential rain and many places were flooded as we drove south towards Algeciras.
We first went to visit Carlos at Viajes Normandie (as recommended many times on the homies forum)to get an open ended return ticket to Morocco.
We also swapped our remaining cash as the rate seemed good.
Did a giant shop in Lidl and then a bit more in Carrefour. Met a nice family in the car park who’d just come back from five months touring Morocco in a van. They were so helpful and friendly so we now have lots of our questions answered. Stayed the night in the carpark around the corner from the ferry company watching the cars aquaplaning along the road.
Up the next day (Tuesday) at 5:45 am😫and drove to the port.
Crossing cancelled due to weather.
Drove back to parking, went back to bed and then returned at 10am for next crossing which should have been at 11:15am.
Much waiting!
Watched two billion lorries being loaded onto our boat and then, eventually, a ramp came up from the floor and we were allowed to board.
Set sail about 3pm on what should have been a 50 minute fast crossing. Because of the giant waves, the boat seemed unable to get into port on the other side. Three attempts 😬
So glad we were outside but boy, it was a bit up and down at times.
Then, we got moved inside for safety.
Eventually, we docked around 5pm. Walked down the stairs with about thirty other people only to find it was barriered off. Waited about half an hour then people decided they’d forgotten us so it started kicking orf! A bit of shouting and banging – nothing. Back upstairs, the cleaner radioed the crew and someone came and opened the gate.
We were the very last vehicle to get off!
Through passport control fairly quickly then came to a halt in a giant queue at customs.
As we got further up the queue, hours later, you could see why we were waiting. Cars completely overloaded with plastic tat secured to their roof were made to unload absolutely everything – and there were loads of them!
Everything ground to a halt as the sun went down and the whole world stopped to eat (it is Ramadan) and pray.
It’s now dark, and getting on for 8pm. As we neared the front of the queue, we wondered if we’d have to unload all our stuff (including a gazillion bottles of wine) but someone took our documents, then came back and asked if we had any drones or pistols…errr non!
Finally, we’re through! It’s now dark though – not ideal.
About an hours drive (police checks on every corner) brought us to Martil, just on the north coast near Tetouan.
Phew! Car park full of homies sharing useful information but please leave me alone – I need wine!!!
