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vanveenocr100...
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Joined: 18 Apr 2014
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PostPosted: 11:56 - 19 Apr 2014    Post subject: Casablanca Reply with quote
Anyone traveled to Casablanca, going to do this in July / August need to find out about Moroccan roads etc
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yen_powell
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Joined: 22 Jun 2008
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PostPosted: 12:45 - 19 Apr 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
Moroccan (surfaced) roads are the same as our roads but slightly less pot holed. If you've ridden or driven in London you'll have no problems there.

The surfaces get very slippery in town when it rains as the dust becomes slippery mud and mixes with the coating of diesel and donkey poo.

Traffic consists mostly of walking bushes wearing wellingtons with men following. These are wives carrying lots of straw like stuff whilst their husbands follow shouting helpful phrases in Berber such as, "Nearly there", or, "start speeding up my love there's a hill coming up."

You may get stopped occasionally by police dressed like doo doo from the pink panther, or soldiers. They all have guns but are usually quite nice to westerners.

Road humps, whilst rare, do not have little white triangles, you have to see them and slow down without this aid. If you don't you are going to take off.
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XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits
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yen_powell
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Joined: 22 Jun 2008
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PostPosted: 11:28 - 20 Apr 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
Me guarding bikes in Marrakech. I'll be honest, anyone could have taken one and I wouldn't have said much.
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/mkesh-me.jpg
Icy road in the Atlas (on our way to Fes I think we were).
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/backg10snowsm.jpg
Morrocan health and safety
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/MIdrisskidsanddrop.jpg
Gap in the road caused by some recent flooding (I assume)
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/washout.jpg
Downtown Ksiba, a day without luggage. Kids love a bike.
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/ksibamarket2.jpg
We called this the honeymoon suite. That is not a toilet, it's a bidet. Toilet was a 5 minute walk away.
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/DSCF0689.jpg
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits
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spnorm
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Joined: 18 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: 09:11 - 21 Apr 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
The best UK resource for Moroccan travel advice is UKGSer.com

Casablanca doesn't seem to be the best destination over there though:

https://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/10-most-disappointing-destinations-in-the-world.html?id=713
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vanveenocr100...
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Joined: 18 Apr 2014
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PostPosted: 11:31 - 21 Apr 2014    Post subject: casablanca, anymore on police road laws etc Reply with quote
spnorm wrote:
The best UK resource for Moroccan travel advice is UKGSer.com

Casablanca doesn't seem to be the best destination over there though:

https://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/10-most-disappointing-destinations-in-the-world.html?id=713
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Dave500
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Joined: 26 Feb 2014
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PostPosted: 17:01 - 21 Apr 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was looking at traveling to North Africa this year after a bit a research I found Fez is supposed to be a bit better and less of the fake tour guides and pick pockets.
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vanveenocr100...
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PostPosted: 20:28 - 24 Apr 2014    Post subject: Casablanca Reply with quote
Change of plans Casablance now only a day trip, staying in Rabat instead.
More info on the police in Morocco please
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Dave500
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PostPosted: 14:39 - 25 Apr 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think they are alright tbh as long as you can speak a lil bit of the language i.e hello, thank you and and if all else fails I think a few will take a bribe lol
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yen_powell
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Joined: 22 Jun 2008
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PostPosted: 16:15 - 25 Apr 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
'Good moaning' is what you say to them.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits
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vanveenocr100...
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Joined: 18 Apr 2014
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PostPosted: 20:18 - 25 Apr 2014    Post subject: Casablanca Reply with quote
So, it's the same as over here you say yes sir no sir three bags full sir. Got to learn arabic as well as Spanish oh joys.
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yen_powell
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Joined: 22 Jun 2008
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PostPosted: 20:58 - 25 Apr 2014    Post subject: Re: Casablanca Reply with quote
vanveenocr1000 wrote:
So, it's the same as over here you say yes sir no sir three bags full sir. Got to learn arabic as well as Spanish oh joys.
The old bill don't seem that bothered with tourists, they can get a bit rough with the locals if they step out of line, but you as a tourist are a valuable addition to the local economy most of the time and will be treated accordingly.

I got away with the three french words they managed to pound into my skull at senior school. Oddly enough, I could count up to 10 but 11-19 defeated me, I had a pocket calculator and if necessary I could punch a number in and show them, or they could do it back if they knew no english.

I seem to remember that Wahaa (spelt how I heard them say it) is Berber for hello, either that or I was tricked into announcing I was a wanker every time I met someone.

Imshi seemed to work when you wanted someone to go away. I think I got that from old Tarzan films.

It's a dry country officially, but alcohol is available in hotels, locals sneak in and have a quick crafty one sometimes. There was actually an off licence in Fes, a restaurant owner sent his boy there every time we asked fo a beer. Poor sod was gone ages each time, once he came back as they had sold all the brand we asked for and he needed an alternative order.

If you buy a coke at a stall and try and leave with it they will run after you. They expect the glass bottle back so you have to drink it whilst they wait. The food is quite good, chicken tajine is basically a sunday roast.

It's friendlier and less hassly the further south you get. Up north if you take a picture money will be demanded in an aggressive way. Down south they can get offended if you offer them money for a picture. Some people don't want their photo taken, remember it is a moslem country and images are frowned upon by some stricter believers.

No matter how lonely a spot may seem, it is the law that a child with goats or an adult will pop up when you least expect it, usually when you're trying to have a quiet wee or poo.

Squatty type toilets are common. Not too bad when you get used to seeing your own body waste just sitting there till you rinse it away. I think assuming that position may be better as it certainly speeds the process up, either that or cramp in the legs makes you rush. A small bottle of dry hand cleaner is handy at these times.
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits
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vanveenocr100...
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Joined: 18 Apr 2014
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PostPosted: 21:10 - 25 Apr 2014    Post subject: Casablanca Reply with quote
Should be OK then the wife speaks French quite well , cheers
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