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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 25 Apr 2007
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A few pics of our Morocco trip

Hi All,

As I used this forum as a resource, thought it only kind to return with a few pics of our trip to inspire(?). What a beautiful country, what a mix of people! It Was a few months ago now, in fact, sadly it feels like I never went! I tell you what though, I'm going back, no question.

Its almost like some kind of illness that gets under your skin...was only for 7 weeks. Towards the end I was ready to stay on for 7 months!

http://www.syncro-nutz.com/flashgallery/index.html
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  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2007
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Looks like an excellent trip! Nice pics too.

Syncronised syncros........how cool!

Morocco.......I must get back there. Damn you for re-kindling the flame!
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  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2007
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Some great pictures there. I've just come back from a couple of weeks piste bashing on my KTM950 - there's some fantastic riding and driving out there.
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Old 25 Apr 2007
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My reaction to picture #12 was "you must be mad."

I recognise the ford in pic #14 (heading east to Rich) though I took it rather more gently on my 1200GSA.

Some really nice pics there.

Tim
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Old 25 Apr 2007
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I was originally planning the adventure on an 650gs, but that ended up getting sold to fund a mechanical Tdi engine for the Syncro. The change of vehicle was alot to do with my girlfriend who, er, dislikes bikes shall we say...one day. But the Syncro is now ready and tested for greater adventures. I grin everytime I drive it (mines the white one BTW)

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Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
My reaction to picture #12 was "you must be mad."

I recognise the ford in pic #14 (heading east to Rich) though I took it rather more gently on my 1200GSA.
Yeah, #12 was interesting, a drop down to find out way up a dry riverbed just North of the Atlas. Got up it to find no way out. Had to go all the way back. There was worse on one of the mountain passes which I really would NOT have like to ridden, pot holes and landfalls galore, with a what must have been a few thousand feet sheer drop off directly to the side.

As for pic 14, boys will be boys, and when you see a puddle...

I loved it, the perfect way to travel and explore for me. Russel, who was in the Gold Syncro, is looking for something bigger for long trips, with 2 young girls and his wife onboard, they found it a little cosy. But all coped very admirably, I still remember his 4 y/o daughters reaction to the Erg Chebbi's.

"Daddy, the whole world is a sand pit".

I highly recommend the camping spot in Pic4, it was lush. A river running, mountains and green all around! Plus the obligatory donkey riding hash seller! Was about 1.5 hours North of Chefchaouen.

In the 5,000 mile trip, I only had one problem, a slight split hose, which was cut shorter. Not bad for a 20 year old van! They also coped remarkably well with the sand and dry river beds. My shovel got used more for toilet creation than vehicle rescue...

If anyone is thinking about doing it, stop thinking and DO!
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Old 26 Apr 2007
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Ah.....Pic 12, the Cirque Du Jaffa.....Beautiful, if you're not running from crowds of locals trying to get into your luggage and steal all your belongings!!!

Never mind, we only lost a pair of sealskinz and a tube of toothpaste, but still.....

If you're on a bike tape/cable tie up all your zips and luggage before heading this way, and dont be too sure about crowds of local kids giving you the correct directions if you ask....but then whats new!!!! ;-)).

Stunning country though!!!!

Dave
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Old 26 Apr 2007
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You damn fool !!

I'm self employed and I'm supposed to be editing a load of photos at the moment and trying to earn some money.

It's not fair people posting awesome pictures like this because the work stops, day dreaming begins, web sites get browsed and the trip research goes on, and then I don't earn any money as I work out how I can abandon the wife and kids for a fortnight

Great trip ! Great photos !

cheers

Rich
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Old 26 Apr 2007
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I'm sorry I don't recognize the track of the cirque de Jaffar, I did it by bike, I woudn't do it with a combi. It is or ti is not ?
In the message 12 there is a pic of Jaffar Two 400 XR in Morocco - ADVrider

Eric
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Originally Posted by davidlomax View Post
Ah.....Pic 12, the Cirque Du Jaffa.....Beautiful, if you're not running from crowds of locals trying to get into your luggage and steal all your belongings!!!

Never mind, we only lost a pair of sealskinz and a tube of toothpaste, but still.....

If you're on a bike tape/cable tie up all your zips and luggage before heading this way, and dont be too sure about crowds of local kids giving you the correct directions if you ask....but then whats new!!!! ;-)).

Stunning country though!!!!

Dave
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  #9  
Old 26 Apr 2007
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Hi
Fine your blog, are you going ahead with the report
Eric
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Originally Posted by major moto View Post
Looks like an excellent trip! Nice pics too.

Syncronised syncros........how cool!

Morocco.......I must get back there. Damn you for re-kindling the flame!
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Old 27 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick View Post
You damn fool !!
I'm self employed and I'm supposed to be editing a load of photos at the moment and trying to earn some money.
Tell me about it, have a small company with my sister. Funnily enough, editing photos (or running image libraries anyway!) - what is it you are working on!?. I actually took Broadband Satellite to stay in touch with the office and do some work whilst away. Probably wouldn't do it again because of cost. But checking emails in the middle of nowhere was, I don't know...sad? Geeky fun!?

I want to go again and cannot stop thinking about the next trip! Its like some crazy addiction.
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Old 27 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric DN View Post
I'm sorry I don't recognize the track of the cirque de Jaffar, I did it by bike..

Hi Eric, the track was actually a path down to a dry riverbed just near the Jaffar. Your track in the pic looks way to gnarly for a van! The path we were originally heading over was completely blocked by snow with steep climbs and decents, it was too risky.

When we stayed on the Jaffar, the thermometer regsitered a low of -10 overnight... chilly . Saw a few Newish looking Tourist LandCruisers driving around, whom looked surprised to see VW's plodding their way along.
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Old 27 Apr 2007
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Okay
I read here and there, that some car are taking down or up this track.
I would not want seating in the seat on the right.
Eric


Quote:
Originally Posted by syncroand101 View Post
Hi Eric, the track was actually a path down to a dry riverbed just near the Jaffar. Your track in the pic looks way to gnarly for a van! The path we were originally heading over was completely blocked by snow with steep climbs and decents, it was too risky.

When we stayed on the Jaffar, the thermometer regsitered a low of -10 overnight... chilly . Saw a few Newish looking Tourist LandCruisers driving around, whom looked surprised to see VW's plodding their way along.
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  #13  
Old 27 Apr 2007
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Ahh, gotta go back...gotta go back...gotta go back...

(My thoughts with each slide! )

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Old 27 Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by syncroand101 View Post
Tell me about it, have a small company with my sister. Funnily enough, editing photos (or running image libraries anyway!) - what is it you are working on!?.

I want to go again and cannot stop thinking about the next trip! Its like some crazy addiction.
I am freelance sports snapper, mainly rugby and cricket - but I'm figuring I can justify a trip to Morocco for some stock travel pics (although I don't think there is any shortage of Morocco stuff !!). Might be able to write the whole trip off as a business expense as well.

But you are right about the addiction theory - I trundled thro Africa to Cape Town on my motorbike yonks ago, and that doesn't get it out of your system, it permanently tattoos the travel gene in your soul.

The XTZ750 that did the Africa trip (and I then took to the Middle East) is being restored by David Lambeth at the moment. Then I'm off in October after the RWC I hope for the maddest, quickest dash through Spain to Erg Chebbi, loon around for a few days following my GPS and back before the wife and kids and bank manager notice I'm gone

I waste bloody hours planning and sorting the whole thing.

Cheers

Rich
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Old 27 Apr 2007
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I'm off again in a week or so, this time transporting my pogo on the back of my Navara. So I'll be able to get to the middle of an interesting area, then unleash the dogs of war (a.k.a. XR400).

Tim
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