Solo travel around Morocco.

You might think I’m crazy for travelling to Morocco on my own. But you’ve got to take risks or else you’ll never see the places you want to visit!

Whether you travel there on your own or not, you’re still going to get the hassle. So don’t be put off, as long you stay safe/sensible and ignore anyone mithering you, you’ll be fine. Trust me, this place is too good not to miss.

Second time lucky I made it to the ferry port! The journey only lasted 45minutes, it’s so close to Spain. I took to the top deck to work on my tan. I kept myself entertained by people watching. (My favourite hobby). To the American girl having issues with her boyfriend. Take my advice hun, travel on your own you’ll none of that drama!

Tangier

Within the first minute of getting off the ferry I had all the hassle. One guy walked with me for 10minutes trying to direct me to my hostel. No I’m good thanks I’m following my maps on my phone. Finally got rid of him, yay thanks for not kidnapping me. I would have broken my mums no1 rule! She wouldn’t have been happy.

Top tip: if you’re lost, act like you’re not!

Making it to my hostel safely. I went straight into the Moroccan style of things and had a cooking lesson at the hostel. We made Moroccan Tagine. Quite the culture shock practically living off paella and tapas for the last month. It was delicious.

Food followed by beers and a rooftop jam session at the hostel was such a chilled night.

I definitely introduced myself to the total wrong people though. Do you know when you just feel out of place!? These people were far too clever for me, turns out they’re all like doctors! So me sat in silence very bored, one person (knowing I was English) decided to turn the topic to Brexit, so I could have a chance to speak. Nooooo boring!! The perfect opportunity to use the toilet. Cya.

The walking tour the next day was terrible. It went as follows; here is a cafe the Rolling Stones have been to, here is a place they film a lot of romantic scenes and here is a view you can see Spain from. (Yawning).

But at least it was a safe way to walk around Tangier being apart of a group. Definitely a nice change from looking up off google maps and taking notice of my surroundings, instead of trying to avoid eye contact with the locals. A lot less hassle; the amount of times I heard ‘come to my shop’!

Sorry to the local who is still waiting for me as his shop. The 3 days I was there I walked passed him about 5 times a day. ‘I waited for you’.. ‘okay maybe tomorrow’. You’re going to be waiting a while!

Chefchaouen

I knew I still had more to explore. So I decided to miss my flight to Valencia and get a taxi 2hours away from Tangier to the blue city – Chefchaouen.

I arrived on Valentine’s Day, so once the owner of the hostel saw that I was alone she decided to upgrade me to a private room. I mean no need to feel sorry for me but I definitely won’t say no to my own room!

This is exactly what I expected Morocco to be like. Blue buildings everywhere, a lot better weather & it’s so calm here. Tangier was said to be safer, but within my first wander around I didn’t get any hassle. I felt that safe I even gave a local my camera to take a picture of me. He didn’t run away with it or ask for money, very shocked.

I was very click happy with my camera here. It was bluetiful..

Morocco is so cheap! It’s unbelievable, my bank account is definitely happy in taking things a bit slower at the moment! For the week I was here I probably spent less than £70 and that’s on eating very well everyday, taxies to and from different cities, including all my hostel stays & splashing out on a romantic, candle lit, 3 course meal for one on Valentine’s Day!

Despite feeling very safe here to walk around on my own there was one case where I had to think fast..

One creepy old guy was walking next to me whilst on my way back the hostel, English? French? German? I just shrugged my shoulders, shook my head and pretended to be mute. (Didn’t work). What do I do now? I walk into a jewellery shop to stop and look at the earrings. But I could see him waiting standing outside (probably clocked on that I don’t have my ears pierced!) So the only thing I could think of to do now was to make up my own random language: ‘Gkaoobs foosjb skwo jfoowba akaklebo…..’ yeah that soon got rid of him! Clearly I have more common sense than I realised.

I make myself laugh too! Super proud moment.

With everybody in Morocco having the same destinations on their list it’s hard avoid people that you’ve met already. I kept bumping into that doctor I met on the first night. (Not stalking you I promise, you bore me too much). I had to do a detour every time I spotted him in the distance.. ‘Oh what a nice shop you have’!

After 2 nights in Chefchaouen I have no idea where I’m off to next. Leaving the WiFi at the hostel and having no other internet connection I just had to go with the flow.

I was heading back to the ferry port in a 4 seater taxi with 8 people.. wishing these people were skinny! Surprisingly not the first time I’ve experienced this kind of thing, but not the ideal situation.

Thinking of heading back to Tarifa it turns out a ferry to Barcelona had been delayed by 4hours so off I go cruising into the Balearic sea.

Before getting on the ferry though, I gave 70 dirhams to a homeless man, knowing I won’t need the currency anymore. It was only the equivalent to about £5, but that would have kept him going for while there. I made his day, which made my day.

Although I’d love to travel Morocco some more this is supposed to be my travels around Europe!

So yes I will be back. So Lewis, if you’re wondering why a birthday present hasn’t arrived in the post yet, whenever you’re ready, we’re off on a trip to the desert to see some camels. Happy B’day xo (the best little sister ever, I know).

Honestly though, I don’t think he reads my blogs, so chocolate from airport on my way home will be sufficient!