Day 11: Tangier, Morocco. Trip to Tetouan

Today we arrived in Tangier at 11am and at 1pm set off on a trip to Tetouan by coach. The countryside was quite different to that going to Merekesh and Rabat, instead of being a flat almost desolate countryside inhabited mostly by goat herders and olive trees we passed green undulating hills backed by the grandeur of the Rif mountain range. On the way we past Bedouin county women in native dress and many small bustling townships selling a multitude of vegetables and fruits. It was a shame to have to pass so many wonderful photo opportunities.

We entered the city of Tetouan and headed immediately for the Medina and Kasbah. We were lead through a maze of tiny streets and it felt like moving back in time hundreds of years. We were surrounded by a way of life and culture that has existed for thousands of years and one that I have only seen in movies and books. It is such a culturally rich place though the people are obviously poor. We had mint tea and almond biscuits in a beautiful tea house and were entertained by exotic dancers and musicians. All too soon it was time to get back on the bus and again another day has gone by without me seeing anything I want to purchase – who’d of though that was possible? Most of the places we are taken are full of things that appear to be obvious copies that are touted as the real thing for exorbitant prices.