We'll update this page
when we can, but also check the SMS Update Page
for news
of our progress.
18.01.09
Spent Friday in
Rabat (Morocco) as a well deserved rest day. This is
definately a road trip cos most of what we've seen has been
from the car window! We are all suffering a bit from
sitting all day!
Rabat was well worth a visit. The mechanic's brother gave
us a guided tour of the city including the Royal Palace and
Parliament. As it was a prayer day we had to detour some
some of the mosques. It's a busy city all the time but
still a relaxed atmosphere. McGill and Deansy bought
'Jelabas' - the traditional robe/dress worn by Arab men
(and obi wan kenobi!) wore them out for the night in Rabat
- the locals were well impressed!
Stayed the night in the Kasbah - only £6 per person for the
night for a grubby room and a shared hole in floor for a
toilet! Set off Saturday for Marakesh. Medina is incredible
with lots of stalls, food bars and entertainers. It was
freezing though!
Drove to Agadir today over the mountains with stunning
views of snow capped peaks. Jukesy overtook a car at a
police checkpoint so we got pulled over - the policeman
politely pointed out that we had made a mistake! he chatted
with us in perfect English before wishing us well and
sending us on our way. Stopped for a Tajine at a roadside
cafe and the car wouldn't start. After twiddling with the
wires under the dash it fired up again. Arrived Agadir and
looked for the campsite but no joy, so have come to a hotel
where a few other teams are staying - it's the first time
we've seen anyone since Spain!
Very long day planned tomorrow - 500km to Laouyone so early
start needed. Not sure if we will get a mobile signal so
may not be able to send updates as often.
19.01.09
Stopped at Agadir last night and met some of the other
teams. Went for a drink to an Irish bar with Team
'Organised Chaos' (the only thing Irish was a scarf on the
wall) there were lots of Arab women drinking, which we
thought seemed a bit strange. Went to another bar where the
locals said, 'if you want cheap women the prostitutes are
at the Irish bar!' so we went back to the hotel instead,
had a beer and went to bed!
Set off this morning for Laoyone but stopped at a cash and
carry for some booze which we hope to get though to
Mauritainia. Deansy had to sign up for a cash and carry
card so said he had a shop called 'Abdul's Crazy Emporium'
which they seemed to find funny. McGill then rammed the
trolley into the car and knocked a chunk of our wheel arch
off!
Back on the road again now - done 4325 km so far!
20.01.09
Set off from
Marakesh for the long haul to Laoyoune (Western Sahara) The
landscape soon changed to sand and before long we were
driving through real desert country. In Tinznit we took a
wrong turn, a geezer on a scooter put us on the right road.
He then sold Jukesy a couple of boxes of tea which (he
said) were worth more than diesel in Mauritania (£10 for
genuine Moroccan tea - made in China, nice one Jukesy!)
At Tan Tan Deansy got caught speeding by a roadside radar.
That cost £40 and half a mile up the road he got stopped
again for failing to stop at a stop sign! Luckily the
copper saw the previous ticked so let us off with a
warning.
The drive was long and dull. Jukesy ended up driving in the
dark (and it was pouring down) All the trucks coming from
the other direction had their lights on full beam and
Jukesy had to be careful not to come off the narrow road
(with ditches either side then sand dunes) It was a tense
couple of hours for all of us but we finally arrived safely
in Laoyoune and found a hotel.
Another 530 km today to Dakhla.
21.01.09
Arrived Dakhla yesterday after a long drive from Laoyoune.
Lots of checkpoints where we have to produce documents and
explain we are tourists - 'non-competitive' and
'humaitaire.' It's a pain cos they keep you hanging around
for ages.
Met up with some of the other teams and have arranged a
guide to take us over into Mauritania and acros the Sahara
to Nouckchott. Set up in a campsite with ground of rocks -
the pegs wouldn't go in so had to secure tents with rocks.
Very windy and cold night so had little sleep. The sky is
incredible at night with millions more stars visible than
at home.
Today is a rest day so have lazed away the morning - had
ice cold showers and M.O.D. packs of corned beef hash for
breakfast (thanks to Mel's son!) Now in Dakhla town sorting
some things for tomorrows trip. Bought a spare wheel which
looks about 100 years old - no free wheel balancing - he
bounced it up and down a bit then gave a thumbs up! we are
now getting a sump guard fitted for £15 - it should protect
us a bit over rocky parts of the Sahara. We then need to
buy provisions and we will be set.
There probably won't be any blogs for the next 3 or 4 days
cos mobile coverage not good in the desert or Mauritainia
in general.
24.01.09
News at last! the lads are no longer lost in action! - they
have made it safely across the desert and mine fields
without any major issues, breakdowns or explosions - the
car is still in tact and so are they (just)
There were endless checkpoints where all the police expect
'presents' and there was lots of waiting around. All of the
teams stayed in one large tent on a campsite in the desert,
cars had to be parked door to door to prevent access to the
petrol caps.
Setting up camp on a beach in Mauritania tonight, the lads
are tired and haven't seen a bar of soap for quite some
time (I bet they look stunning!) They are heading to the
capital Nouakchott tomorrow and are currently trying to
come to terms with the fact that they have run out of
alcohol and can't purchase any more in Mauritania (Saturday
night too - gutted!)
26.01.09
Arrived Nouakchott last night and stayed in a hotel. Today
a long journey to the Senegal border and arrived at
Zebrabar at 8pm after a bone shaking ride through the
national park, 2 hours through one border and another 2 at
Senegal. It's a beautiful place with much more greenery
(and much less sand!)
Chilling out tonight with a few well earned beers.....
