Briefing
This travel starts from Spain. Please go to Spain section if you haven't.
17th April. Algeciras to Tanger
I took 1600 cruise ship to Tanger. On board facilities of the cruise ship was exactly what you expect on FERRIS.
[18:10] The ship departed. The weather was really nice. Make sure to finish immigration on board ship because there is no immigration on ground in Morocco.
[19:00] The ship arrived in Tanger. There was 2 hours difference from Spain (during summer time).
I took a taxi to Tanger Ville Train station. The station was really nice and clean, but nothing. There was only one cafe bar on ground floor.
[21:30] The night train to Marrakech departed. Although they charge 68 DH for supplement, there is no seat allocation for 2nd class, so make sure you grab a seat as soon as train arrives. (There must be a seat allocation on 1st class though)
18th April. Marrakech
The 2nd class seatings coaches were all compartment.
The train stopped every station, but it was kept running south.
[08:40] The train arrived in Marrakech. Everyone started to get off, and I realized that the train arrived in Marrakech.
Taking a taxi to Rue Moulay Ismaïl, I arrived at Hotel Ali.
After checking in, I first had a breakfast at the hotel. They had bread, egg, orange juice and coffee.
Walking out to the city, I realized that I had no idea what is there in Marrakech, so I took a city sightseeing bus.
The bus took me around the city.
The city was all in red color even the McDonald's.
The bus was stopping at every major hotel.
At tourism office bus stop, there was another blue line route I could take.
The blue line bus took me outside the city. It was very different world compared to the city center.
Then everyone was so excited with camels on the side.
The road was really narrow and the bus was often off the road when a car came from the front.
On the way back to the city, I could see a little mountain.
Back to the red line route, I went to Jardin de La Ménara.
I found a nice place, but it was Casino de Marrakech.
The main mosque of Marrakech, La Koutoubia Mosque.
Bab Agnaou is one of the ancient gate, famous spot to see.
I then got off the bus, went into the market area of Place Djemaa el Fna, which is just in front of the hotel I stayed. You can find so many stalls selling Orange Juice in front of the market.
The market was really huge and crowded.
The Spice Shops were really interesting to see how they display.
The dinner with the local food was already started when I returned the hotel.
19th April. Casablanca and Back to Tanger
[05:00] Taking a taxi to train station, the Train Departed from Marrakech. There was a mistake on my itinerary, I didn't think about time difference between Spain and Morocco. In order to take the night train back to Madrid, I had to take a train one before, which departed at 5am.
[08:15] Arrive Casablanca Voyageurs station. I actually didn't check where the train was going, and the onboard staff member told me to change at Casablanca Voyageurs because the train was going to Fes.
During an hour transit, I hired a taxi for a quick tour around the city.
Unfortunately, the driver told me that actual Casa (Houses) Blanca (White) is located too far away and was not possible to go and come back in just one hour.
First I was taken to the most famous mosque, Hassan II Mosque.
Driving along the coast, the driver told me that it is the first McDonald's in Africa.
The driver told me that I could see the Casa Blanca from here... Well, it seems white, but...
Back to the city center, the driver explained me that Casablanca is the center of the economy, Rabat is Politics, and Marrakech is Tourism.
I came back to the station just few seconds before the train departure.
[09:15] The train to Tanger Departed.
There are several stations on every major city. I think this is the one in Rabat.
The day train travel to Tanger was really long.
After very long hours, I started to see houses on the hill. It was Tanger.
[15:00] The train finally arrived at Tanger Ville station.
Taking a taxi to Ferry Port, I quickly bought a fast ferry ticket to Spain. (Make sure to get immigration form for departure from the agency when you buy the ticket. Immigration won't let you go through without the form, and they don't supply the form there.)
Travel Continues to Part3 in Spain
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