Wildman's Ride the World 2012 Edition - Morocco & Portugal

[Wildman]

I've already expressed my disappointment at Marrakech earlier in the report so won't labour the point. The medina is buzzing but it's not as comfortable a place to be for a tourist/traveller compared to Fez which is truly an excellent location.

We're making the most of it and the Sofitel is generally very good and the souk an experience.









There's a saying in Morocco that. "visitors all have nice watches but we still own the time", and it's true.

We're here until Wednesday when my wife flies back to the UK and I head out, hopefully to rendezvous again with Vincenzo in Rabat. Going to ride the autoroute. We cross back over to Spain on Thursday, he will return to Malaga and I will head out to Portugal. I have four days to ride Algeciras to Bilbao for the ferry back to the UK which must include a night in Madrid to collect the work equipment that I left there en route to Morooco. I'm told that one of the nicest rides in Portugal is the Douro valley so I'm planning to do that and get some nice pictures. There seems to be two broad choices of route and I haven't yet decided whether to ride to Madrid and turn west into Porto, up to Santiago de Compostela and across northern Spain to Bilbao or ride through southern Portugal to Porto and turn east to Madrid. Either way, I'll update you on the trip.

My knee continues to trouble me and I'm beginning to think that something isn't quite right; there's clearly some ligament damage that I'd better get checked out when I can.

Thanks for reading. If any of you are heading to Morocco I'd be happy to share our experience, contacts and locations.

[doc917]

great read so far i did some of your route in 2008.rode the same pass,what an experience.i also got caught in the mother of all sand storms on the road to erg chebbi,absolutely terrifying.

[MeinMotorrad]

Thanks for the heads up about Marrakech. I was planning to visit there later this month on my way down to Western Sahara. I'll take a look at Fez instead.

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by doc917

great read so far i did some of your route in 2008.rode the same pass,what an experience.i also got caught in the mother of all sand storms on the road to erg chebbi,absolutely terrifying.

It's been an experience, for sure.

Originally Posted by MeinMotorrad

Thanks for the heads up about Marrakech. I was planning to visit there later this month on my way down to Western Sahara. I'll take a look at Fez instead.

Your mileage may vary but like I said, Fez was an eye-opener but a pleasure to experience, Marrakech has left me feeling abused. Whichever you visit, have fun!

[dan-c]

Paul

[Padmei]

You're doing my dream ride.
Lucky bugger.
thanks for all the tips along the way

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by dan-c

Paul

Hey, Dan!

Originally Posted by Padmei

You're doing my dream ride.
Lucky bugger.
thanks for all the tips along the way

You're welcome!

[doc917]

if you get a chance.stop at asilah.between rabat + tangier.nice chilled wee town.the people are brilliant,well they are to scotsmen,but i'm biased

[Byron1]

Looks awesome! Will use this a s a reference if we get chance to make it to Africa!

[DCrider]

great RR Wildman, hope the knee is better, maybe you needed some grape jam on it with that 30yr butter

So the wife and I are looking at a trip to Morocco in a few weeks, any signs of anti-US sentiment, or as usuall it's isolated and over blown by the media? And I assume you suggest renting a car (bike not an option right now) to see the the country on our own pace rather than a mega tour bus?

[poolman]

Great ride report and photography Wildman! Your F800GS looks fantastic and hopefully it has turned out to be an excellent bike choice for you.

Thanks for taking the time to post,

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by doc917

if you get a chance.stop at asilah.between rabat + tangier.nice chilled wee town.the people are brilliant,well they are to scotsmen,but i'm biased

I'll tell 'em you sent me.

Originally Posted by Byron1

Looks awesome! Will use this a s a reference if we get chance to make it to Africa!

Originally Posted by DCrider

great RR Wildman, hope the knee is better, maybe you needed some grape jam on it with that 30yr butter

Originally Posted by DCrider

So the wife and I are looking at a trip to Morocco in a few weeks, any signs of anti-US sentiment, or as usuall it's isolated and over blown by the media? And I assume you suggest renting a car (bike not an option right now) to see the the country on our own pace rather than a mega tour bus?

Have been asked if I'm American several times but then I have a slightly unusual accent having lived seven years outside of the UK. Don't know how they would have responded if I'd said, "yes" but no noticeable American animosity here that I've seen. There are lot's of buses; Vincenzo took one down to Merzouga and an Italian couple who were staying at Dar Warde in Fez with us were touring Morocco by bus, stopping off for a few days when they wanted to. Big old Mercedes taxi's run regular routes picking up anyone who hails until they're full but hiring a car is probably the best option.

Originally Posted by poolman

Great ride report and photography Wildman! Your F800GS looks fantastic and hopefully it has turned out to be an excellent bike choice for you.

Thanks for taking the time to post,

Cheers poolman; love the F800GS, brilliant bike for this kind of trip!

[doc917]

don't do that i didn't leave a tip

[Sroz]

Great report, thanks for sharing. I haven't been to Marakesh for 20 odd years but they used to have cooked snail vendors that I'd recommend as a different travelling experience. The snails were EXCELLENT!

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by doc917

don't do that i didn't leave a tip

Why am I not surprised that a Jock didn't leave a tip.

Originally Posted by Sroz

Great report, thanks for sharing. I haven't been to Marakesh for 20 odd years but they used to have cooked snail vendors that I'd recommend as a different travelling experience. The snails were EXCELLENT!

I'm as adventurous as the next guy with most of my eating habits, love frogs legs for example, but have never been able to put a snail in my mouth!