T2T Day 9

T2T Day 9 19-Nov-2011  “(Dead) Dog Days”

Miles covered: 100         T2T miles so far: 2,111               Punctures : 0    

Evening Meal: Filet au Dover sole avec sauce marie rose,  pomme Dauphinoise. Crepe au Citron et sucre.  Vin Guerrouane Rouge

Road hours : 11.30-15.30

Essaouria contained the essence of Morocco. A walled medina with narrow streets and packed with people strolling along. Shops full of colourful clothes and shoes, intricate wood work and metal work and lots of leather. Spices piled into conical shapes and giving off aromatic wafts, strange fruit and foods on show and even a few carpet stalls were all part of the exotic setting.

The T2T team took 5 and had a heart to heart in a café. Taking stock of the monumental drive so far and laying bare our worries and fears for the road ahead. The team’s stalwart attitude was not found wanting although a consensus for a few relaxed days was agreed by all.

Locals were friendly and helpful but not overwhelming or in your face. The food was excellent and the cafes relaxed. T2T could have stayed for longer but we are servants to the schedule. It was the perfect place to kick back and reflect and also look forward.

Team T2T seemed to soak up the laid back atmosphere of Essaouira and after only an 80 mile stretch stopped for photos taken by some lovely French folks who admired the bikes and reminded the team about the dread STOP sign in Tan Tan. 

T2T decided on a standard photo for today – will wonders never cease?

Naughty local police have apparently staked out the first roundabout in Tan Tan and put a STOP sign in an unusual place.  The game is to entrap the hapless European tourists and slap then with a 700 dirham fine ( about €70 ) .. T2T has been warned.  Shortly after our impromptu photo shoot T2T stopped for lunch in a wind-blown village for more tuck.  As we sat down three mini Tagines were placed before us and T2T dived in.  Happy moments passed before we asked for the bill and were presented with a staggering and extortionate 176 dirham chitty !!  The waiter’s Ray Bans should have been a warning sign. 

Local and national elections have meant a plethora of pick-ups full of people throwing paper with electoral details out on to the street. Unfortunately a slow precession was heading out into the hills with delicious mountain curves wanting to seduce the GS’s into ever increasing speed and leaning. Jas took off determined to make the most of the roads and using the traffic as mobile chicanes. One pick up plastered with posters and people waving printed sheets offered some to the eager motorcyclist. They were so friendly a cunning overtake close enough to snatch a flyer was required. Job done and Jas was waving the flyer in the air, the crowd went wild!

Soon after the lunch and Jas’ flyer stunt T2T found the most gorgeous stretch of Mediterranean-like coast.   Camels cantered on the beach and families sunbathed as T2T sped by and wished we had a moment to ride the bikes onto the sand for photo-op 2.  Then the unthinkable happened; Jas spotted a camping sign and indicated interest ( and it wasn’t even dark ) .

Jon who was following seconded this and after a brief discussion T2T checked in at camp Terre d’ocean just outside Agadir.  Though strictly against convention, team leader Kev over-looked the transgression and T2T booked a room for 3 for a reasonable 250 dirhams. 

Jon hit the bed and immediately crashed out ( 4pm ) Jas announced he was going to have a power nap and slept for 3 hours …

Dinner followed … with wine !!! ( see tonight’s menu )  T2T is not suffering from lack of nourishment.