Morocco experiment

[teflon]

Hi. Just wanted to know what weather to expect during February/March in and around Marrakesh and across to the coast.

No bike I'm afraid. I'm actually flying in Bristol/Marrakesh £5 each way with Ryanair, inc tax - though I might splash out an extra £3.80 to get near the front of the queue for a window seat.

It's only for 7 days and I have no real plans. Will make it up as I go along. I don't expect to do a lot of sight-seeing in the conventional sense as I don't have a lot of time and money. To be honest, I'm not really that fussed about it this time round.

Buses seem really cheap (Marrakesh/Essaouira about £5) but hitching would be good - if for no other reason than to keep my traveling at a local level. What's it like between Marrakesh and Essaouira for camping/cheap accommodation? I'd like to see the sea during the trip, but any suggestions welcome.

It's a budget 'experiment' to see how cheaply I could really do it. All for under a £100 I wonder? I'll be taking a bit more than that though for back up - or will I?

I'm traveling extremely light - bivi/sleeping bag/water filter/poncho/jetboil and little more than what I stand up in. Which reminds me - are those 'screw-in' gas canisters available in Morocco, or are they the push-fit French type? Can't take them on board planes so have to buy one there.

This isn't everyones cup of tea, but any thoughts welcome. Especially on wild camping.

Cheers peeps.

[wishfull traveller]

When are you looking to do your cheap and cheerfull trip, sounds like fun.

I spent a few weeks there a few years ago on my bike loved the place, can wait to go back there again.

Cheers,

Colin,

Just down the road in Bournemouth.

[Linzi]

You're not the only one. I haven't been able to sell a trip report and am now short of money to ride to Morocco. Have been planning pretty much what you're doing, though without all the gear! Thanks for the Ryannair tip. I'd been looking at atlas-blue.com but at £127 or so! Must be huge airport tax differences. Atlas use LGW. I'll look at bus to Bristol and fly from there. Intend to go on 10 March.
I've got about 30kg of educational stuff to get to two schools by public transport. This should be some challenge! Have fun on your trip. Linzi.

[Linzi]

Hi Teflon, reading between Ryanair's lines it might cost £43 return with all the add on fees. I'm not sure if I could sneek my heavy items into the cabin with Ryanair. They only allow one item max weight 10kg. Rats. Linzi.

[teflon]

Hi Linzi. I'm flying out from Bristol on the 10th March 6:30am. Back the following Tuesday 17th.

The prices were changing almost by the hour as they were getting booked. I had to continuously scroll through them to keep up. The offers were most Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Mine was £5 each way, inc tax. I opted the £3.80 to jump the queue both ways, but I did forget to mention the £9.50 card fee. Sorry. Plus, I'm just taking a carry-on day bag.

I might take the trouble to find out what cards are 'free' - almost certainly their own.

You doing any English teaching Linzi - re 'educational stuff'? Just curious.

ps Sorry to hear about you not selling the report.

[teflon]

Originally Posted by wishfull traveller

When are you looking to do your cheap and cheerfull trip, sounds like fun.

I spent a few weeks there a few years ago on my bike loved the place, can wait to go back there again.

Cheers,

Colin,

Just down the road in Bournemouth.

Flying out on 10th March. Flying back 17th.

Just gonna bum it really. Will probably look a right state getting back on the plane.
First had the idea of just flying out somewhere one way, then just making my way back somehow on the bones of me arse - a kind of poor mans extreme adventure. But I've opted for a return ticket and I probably will take a little more than I need this time. It should certainly clear the cobwebs.


ps - I love Bournemouth. Was even thinking of moving there.

[Linzi]

I like to do things that most other people don't seem to want to do. I first intended to take my '79 Moto Guzzi Le Mans on some trails across the desert. Really because it's the only bike I can afford. I am not mad. I wanted to find hard, flat unsealed roads to explore. I got roamingyak.com's DVD about the southern pistes. From this I learnt of a school in the sticks. I decided to take anything I could fit on the bike to help them. Then I heard about another school even more in the sticks and the plan began to form. I was all set to go when 1) I wrecked the bike's engine. 2) I did another trip expecting to get paid but wasn't. I want to get the stuff out anyway I can. I am about to write to a firm about covering my travel costs and set to open the bike's engine to see what I did and what's needed.
So I now intend to go by foot or ride, after the Ace Cafe meet, and shall go out again in July for the real trip. This time I've got things for tiny kids, pencils, sharpeners, rubbers, paints, chalks, toys, posters, skipping ropes, puppets and a football. That lot is too much really for me on foot. Not certain at all what'll happen next. Linzi.

[teflon]

Funny that. I had a similar idea to help pay for a car trip - though lately, I've been exploring the idea of getting qualified (CELTA) to teach English abroad, as I'd eventually like to live and work abroad permanently.

My car, a Lada, is off the road at the moment. Can't afford the MOT/tax just yet, but will probably sort it out in a few months. Was going to drive it to Vladivostok, but I didn't quite have the cash I needed, so the moment has passed.

Am now looking for grants to help pay for the course (about £1000).

Not sure which way yet, which kind of explains the Morocco thing really. Something I need to do to clear my head.

[Linzi]

Selling a story in a bike magazine will attract about £150 per 1,000 words. No mention of money for pics but they're essential for the story to be accepted. I'd been offered £1,000 but that offer's off. Some others have suggested women's magazines, not a bad idea if the material is carefully matched. My Guzzi offers the classic market. On foot leads me to think of a newspaper. Then there are the other European countries to translate to. It's not as easy as I had thought though. Neither is bank robbery so I'm sat at home thinking hard. I hope all I need is big end and small end bearings plus an oil filter but it might mean new valve thingies etc. Don't turn a deaf ear to a bad sounding engine to struggle home!!!!!! Linzi.

[pedrofconti]

Hello, in mid-March 2008 I spent some days with my family in Marrakech and Essaouira. You can expect daily temperatures from 26 to 32 Celsius in M and 18 to 24 in E, where your main problem might be the ever-present wind. Wonderful time of the year to be there, though.

Pedro

[teflon]

Thanks Pedro. It's just what I wanted to hear. I'm starting to get a bit excited now.

If it's no trouble, any tips on good places to go would be appreciated.

[Linzi]

I don't know if you've seen the thread, but the trip I just did that left me out of pocket for Morocco was Discobiker in Freak Accident, Europe. I'd expected to easily cover costs but no chance. They only offered £250 for a whole article. So I posted it free on HUBB, first a fast report then in long hand. I'm now very stir crazy. Linzi.

[pedrofconti]

Sorry Teflon, reading my reply I just realised I only wrote about the High temperatures. The Low ones, in terms of baggage, would be T-shirt in Marrakech and just a jumper (and probably a light raincoat) to wear at night in Essaouira.

Have a happy trip,
Pedro

[teflon]

Originally Posted by pedrofconti

Sorry Teflon, reading my reply I just realised I only wrote about the High temperatures. The Low ones, in terms of baggage, would be T-shirt in Marrakech and just a jumper (and probably a light raincoat) to wear at night in Essaouira.

Have a happy trip,
Pedro

Thanks again Pedro. I was actually wondering what to take.

[Linzi]

Just been to the Masta clinic for my follow up Hepatitis A jab and was given a print out of information. Note these two:
Leishamaniasis is spread by the bite of infected sandflies. This affects some internal organs. It occurs in the outskirts of some cities. The risk is highest from dusk to dawn. Travellers can avoid bites by using effective repellents and consider sleeping under insecticide treated bed nets.
Lyme disease is spread by the bite of infected ticks. These are found in forest clearings, long grass and hedges. Ticks should be avoided. Any tick found on the skin should be removed promptly and carefully with tweezers. I just bought an ex army mossie net with poles and sewn in ground sheet. Linzi.