Morocco Jan/Feb 2008 Forums

julie798

to make a first post about desert tours, when the poster ahs not posted anything before, thats what i meant, i didnt think that anything had been said wrong about the company, so i was surprised at the posting, haute made

whistlinggypsy

julie798, sorry i am confusing everyone, let me explain please.

I regard to my first post i worded a sentence incorrectly stating that we only went on substandard sites when we eventually caught up with Ray and his Jan.tour.

i had an email from someone who pointed out quite correctly i may add that i was inferring that Desert Detours sites are all substandard, my subsequent post corrects this matter and it is now closed for further discussion from me.

bob

JockandRita

billym

What a refreshing change to read a travel blog that isn't all Champagne and roses. Travelling is not always what it is cracked up to be and can be difficult and stressful at times . Having said that it is always better than staying at home looking out of the window !

Usually the only negative comment on blogs is .... Alice got us lost.......referring to the Sat Nav.

Thanks for the read it was excellent !

Sorry about the wrist. I broke mine a few years ago about 500 yards from where you posted this and the hospital at Villajoyosa was fantastic.

hautemetairie

Hi Bob
Thank you for your clarificaion. The ony reason my first post was so incensed was because though I may read a lot of he letters it was only yours that really I thought needed a comment on. A lot of my emails go to Mand M who are most helpful ie in the problems of Transit clutches and other strange problems. I wild camp a lot making certain that I leave no mess and stay for short periods, often in small groups. Both of us are looking forward to another trip to Morocco, it is worth it just to see the Roman ruins again.
Best wishes Tony

PS for those who very nervous of taking their motor homes over the channel to Europe , most months I go over to France from Portsmouth and I am quite willing to show them the ropes and aire de service of the Caen area

SidT

Hi Bob. Thanks for a great write up, made excellent reading. I am afraid I have been in a few parts of the world with a lot of begging and I get very angry ( an age thing?) which would probably cause me a lot of trouble so I will have to think carefully about a trip to Morocco.
You at Southport in August? if we are at home we will certainly make it.
Cheers Sid.

NormanB

Hi Bob,

Sorry to learn of your accident in the shower and the subsequent problems. Hope the wrist is now properly reset and back safely in the UK. Hope Barabara changes her mind about Morocco - maybe try again next year!

After you left to go north, another travelling companion discovered that the shock absorber mounting on this 5th Wheel had pulled right out of the chassis and there were fatique cracks opening at the other mountings, too. This was discovered at Atantic Parc, north of Agadir. Last I heard from him, he was awaiting news of the manufacturers plans to repatriate them.

Another fellow traveller had to set about some youths trying to pull the scooter off the back of his Hymer at the Morocco/Ceuta border!

The tour must be jinxed. Passing Jerez last week, we were overtaking a lorry of empty pallets on the motorway when there was an almighty crash appearing to come from the roof. Something had hit us on the Luton fairing, cracked the fairing and smashed the rooflight. 3 feet lower and it would have come through the windscreen and taken us both out!

Incidentally, I read your commentary on the Morocco tour and found myself concurring with all your findings. Well done.

Norman

Duadua

I think if you want to see different and exciting places, slightly out of the ordinary, or say outside Europe and the "developed countries" then you should accept or at least put up with local ways, customs and opportunism shown by those less well off or less fortunate as us.

I admit I admire the manner in which children and adults seek to better their lifes. If they are genuine and successful in getting money by putting out their hand, then why not. I smile at most of them, nod or shake my head and move on, or on occasion give some money and move on. If you are in the mood to be upset by it, then you surely will be.

If you do not like visiting countries where begging can be a feature, then you may as well cross out most countries beyond the safety of Europe and the developed world.

From my recent experience last year in Morocco, we found very little begging, excepting the night market in Marrakesh where frankly you should expect to see it, along with the storey tellers, water sellers, conjurors, acrobats, snakes and monkeys etc. etc.

Heh if you enjoy an alfresco show then surely it is worth a couple of coins or notes in the hat. Just don't let it get you down or don't cross the channel. Putting on a show is how they make a living for their families. Putting their hand out or shaking a hat is how they charge for their show. They would be mad to put on a nightly show for no reward whatsoever.

Morocco is after all one of the easiest and most exciting places to visit with a motorhome, provided you accept you will have left Europe behind you and all that you are familiar with.

Morocco and motorhomes go together extremely well. Moroccans and Berbers have been living in tents for centuries. Your motorhome is just like a Berber tent but carried on rubber wheels rather than a camel. We found Moroccans to be extremely friendly and trustworthy. You won't see a padlock on a Berber tent?

You can't get excitement in this world without a little daring.

Just my dhirams worth.

androidGB

Many thanks Duadua for putting your point of view.

As you know I'm off to Morocco in April and must admit I was a little concerned reading this thread, as I am sadly,not the most tolerant of people.

Your view gives it an alternative perspective, and differentiates from the "professional" beggars we see in this country.

I hope I can keep this firmly fixed in my mind as we travel around.

Andrew.