We chose the crossing from Algeceris to Ceuta to avoid the hassle of Tangiers. The port of Ceuta, although in Morocco is still under the control of Spain. The ferry crossing took 30 minutes as it is only 17k from the mainland and unlike our crosssing from England to Bilbao it was calm!!

When we landed we filled up with petrol at just less than  70c ( 50p )a litre and in mainland Spain it had been 93c.  We headed for the border and had the first taste of North Africa.  All the cars crossing the border have to park up in lines and the driver completes the formalities.  Therre are cars all over the place, some in orderly lines and some with no drivers blocking the way forward.

We had help from an Official walking amongst the cars who checked our insurance documents, passport, log book etc and filled all the paperwork in on the bonnet of the van.  He then took Peter to each official window in turn whilst all our details are entered into the computer.  After an hour with everything completed he waved us off.  The police checked our documents once more and then we were through!  It took an hour but everything went smoothlybecause we had the guy's help. It wasn't the same for everyone though as some vehicles were pulled aside and give the full once over (see picture).  We just hope all our border crossings in Africa run as smoothly but somehow we think not.

Upon entering Morocco we were amazed, whatever we had imagined it was nothing like it.  There was a distinct lack of vehicles except for old battered blue taxis and the popular choice for transport was donkey or mule.  Along the way at village intersections the donkeys were all tied up and it looked like donkey car parks! (see picture). 

On the drive through the Rif Valley which is quite high in the mountains, children ran to the side of the road to wave as we went by.  We also saw what we first thought were young men hitch hiking, but each one seemed to point his cigarette at us and in the other hand he had something wrapped in silver.  We eventually realised they were drug dealers offering us Hasish as this area in the mountains is where it is all cultivated.