In total there was 37 people on our tour with more than a third of them from Canada, which really surprised me. I had no idea so many Canadians travelled to Spain, especially in the off season. The makeup of the group was quite interesting with most of the people over the age of 45........ A few young couples, and a few single girls who were traveling the world. You do have to ask yourself "why 5 sisters, who have trouble walking would book themselves on a walking tour?" They were all over 50, all very, very over weight; one needed a cane and one needed someone else to carry her very " heavy" bag. Honestly it wasn't so heavy as I picked it up and swung it over my shoulder. Anyways seeing them struggle was certainly motivation to keep exercising so that I don't have to quit going on walking tours anytime soon or hold everyone else up.
The bus was right on time and fortunately we were the last resort stop to be picked up. Once boarded we drove through the countryside heading to Tarifa, where we would catch the ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. The trip across the Strait was approximately 45 minutes and according to our tour guide we had the special privilege of travelling Business Class. Not sure it was really Business Class but we did have the entire section at the front of the ferry to ourselves. The seats were a little worse for wear but overall comfortable.
When we left Spain is was windy and cool (only 15 degrees) but arriving in Tangier Morocco it was sunny and warm.
We were herded off the ferry onto a tour bus that would drive us through the different areas of the town. Tangier is a melting pot with numerous ethnic districts coming together to make a gorgeous city overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Our Moroccan tour guide spoke very clear English. He told us they learn English in school and speak Spanglish at home. When he was speaking to the Moroccans it didn't sound like Spanish or English...lol.
The first stop on our tour was for a short, (and I do mean short) 2 minute camel ride. The tour buses stop along the side of the road where several camel pullers anxiously wait for tourist to disembark. For a mere 2 euros we each had an opportunity to mount the camel and ride around in a small circle. Of course there was a man with a camera taking pictures which we would meet up with later. Even though I had ridden a camel before I wanted to enjoy the adventure once again. Plus the baby camel was so cute!
Back on the bus we were headed to the the point were the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Cap Spartel is a pure tourist spot with all the normal souvenir venders ready to releave you of your money. However I escaped without spending an euro.
It was a place for the local leader to live and a defense when a city was under attack. A kasbah has high walls, usually without windows. The Tangier Kasba was built at the entrance to the harbour, on the side of the hilltop so that it could be easily defend the residence against attack. We were off to Rock the Kasba.
Walking through the Kasba the route was complicated, with lots of turns and very narrow streets. I am sure without the help of our guide we would never have found are way about. But how cool. The venders would jump out on front of us trying to sell their wears but we didn't have time to stop or we would be left behind and everything they were trying to sell was probably fake. Sterling, leather, jewellry, etc. Stopping to see the snake charmer was not quite what I expected. The cobra snake was small and placed on the road, while one man played the tambourine and the second encouraged the snake to dance. After a few minutes the cobra was stuffed into a wooden box with a lid and a second snake was pulled out. Did I want to hold it? Naturally my first thought was "NO", but then I thought why not try. This was definitely a safe controlled opportunity.
Continuing on we finally reached the restaurant where we enjoyed an authentic Moroccan meal. Soup, meat, kebabs (maybe it was goat?), couscous with some type of meat and vegetables, and baklava soaked in honey. It was extremely tasty and plentiful. Definitely more than I could eat.
Then the serious shopping began as our guides took us to a carpet, leather, jewellry shop where he insisted we could buy quality goods. While we were told that we should negotiate hard for any item we were interested in and that no one would be offended regardless of how low we offered, they really didn't negotiate that hard. I saw a wonderful silver bracelet with a jewelled butterfly on it. The sales person offered it to me for a mere €290 or $420. We were told to offer a fifth of the price so I indicated $100. The sales person told me I have expensive taste and his best price was €240. Then he let me walk away. I certainly didn't need it not did I want to spend even a $100 on a bracelet, so it was easy decision to walk away.
Each of the five sisters, plus several others bought beautiful carpets, that would be shipped to the States. Us- I bought a pair of leather ballet slippers for a whole €18. All I really needed and very comfortable.
Last stop on the tour was the spice shop. As we entered the store we were all asked to take a seat. Then the owner put on a small presentation of all their products and their uses. Saffron, eucalyptus black seed, argon oil, orange oil, and white musk to name a few. We smelled, looked at and past around each of the samples. Then came the sales job. We were each given a clear plastic bag as the presenter and his team asked "how many of each item we would like?" "€5 each or buy 2 and the third one is free. Within minutes each of us had a bag full of goodies and we lined up to pay. They really had the sales process down to a fine art and I am positive everyone bought something.
Then it was time to hustle back to the ferry to start the voyage back to Spain. We rushed and hurried, avoiding the street venders, who continued to jump in front of us as we walked, and were back on the boat waiting to go. Then we waited, and waited some more. Turns out there was a problem with a few stowaways. An hour later the boat was moving on our way back to Tarifa.
Once back in Spain we needed to clear customs. Our guide kept saying "keep together. If we go together as a group we will get through in 2 minutes. If not it can take 10 minutes per person and we will be here over an hour. So keep together". When we got to immigration we were all together but the agent seemed to be taking his time. Next thing you know our guide is yelling at the agent. I am thinking "oh no", but the agent stands up and starts pushing the group through. I don't think he even looked at my passport. 10 minutes later we are all back on the bus heading down the A7 towards our resorts.
It was an awesome day, full of gorgeous views, exotic animals, good food and some interesting shopping. So glad we took the tour!
