Adonia cruise - part 7

Sunday 31 August - Tangier

The prop unit issues in Seville meant we were late in arriving at Tangier – around midday - so we had a leisurely morning at sea. We had chosen to do a tour to Tetouan so had an early lunch following our arrival and then assembled in the Curzon Lounge with all the others on tours. We were called very shortly after and made our way to the dockside and coach. It was only about half full so it was great to be able to get a front seat for a change and take photos as we drove through Tangiers and out into the scrubland.

 

 

 

It was a one hour drive to our destination of Tetouan and worth every minute. The drive took us through arid countryside with Berber men and women carrying shopping or selling vegetables and fruit at roadside stalls all backed by distant views of the Rif Mountains.

 

Every roundabout seemed to have been cleared and had police on duty – I though for us but it was for the King who, apparently had been in Tetouan for his holidays and was returning to Tangiers that day.

 

On arrival we walked a short distance to the entrance to the Medina – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the smallest medinas in Morocco and is one of the few cities that have been relatively untouched by the outside world over the centuries. There are over 321,000 inhabitants currently living in the Medina. Tetouan has been well preserved and is considered one of the best examples of historical towns from the 8th century. The narrow alleys and stalls reminded me most of the Arab Bazaar in the old city of Jerusalem.

 

Every sense was assailed by vivid colours, the scent of spices and fish, and the chatter of the locals buying their food and other goods.  We walked and walked – through the narrow lanes of the Jewish quarter, past hidden mosques, hammans and more and more stalls, a huge flea market with second-hand everything, to the square with the King’s palace and finally to a café.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we were served with pastries and mint tea before continuing our tour to a gift shop where I bought some silver earrings, and eventually back to the coach.

The drive back was similar to the drive there. Tangiers itself looked more Western and reminded me of Piraeus. At the dockside there were still some traders so Caryll and I set off to barter for a few souvenirs. Caryll was not impressed when the trader thought she was my mother!! I bought a kaftan and we were still looking when Caryll noticed they were starting to dismantle the gangway! As we rushed over the Security Officer said it was OK – we still had eleven mins left!! The scanner had been taken down so we were patted down on boarding.  I truly didn't realise we were so late as in my head I had 5pm for departure - not 4.30!!