Casablanca to Asillah 31May2012

For a while we took the motorways wanting to get maximum mileage up. Each section had toll booths and while each bit wasn't very expensive, the total was starting to add up.

As well the scenery was a touch boring. The map showed us a small road running alongside the motorway but passing through small villages which we thought would be more interesting. It was the worst decision we had made all trip!

It was the one of the worst roads we have ever been on - 4WD included! The road was one lane wide and every time we passed a car, one of us - or both- had to get partially off the road. The bitumen was broken all along the edges and getting off meant a sharp drop onto the dirt. Potholes took up more area than the road surface itself and in some places there was a mere hint of the original road only with the tar being only 30 cm wide. The dust was horrendous, the shaking and shuddering as Russ tried to preserve our suspension even worse.

And the distance to the next on ramp to the motorway was forever away!

Finally with enormous relief we were back on the motorway (the only other road in the whole district) and arrived at Assilah.

There was no campground here buy Ray had told us about camping on the harbour wall, a fact confirmed in print by our Camping in Morocco book. We found the place and, after paying an attendant 50Dirhams for the privilege, parked up next to two French vans and three camels. The harbour was right next to us and the city walls of the old city right next to the harbour.

Assilah is quite small and a walk around the medina and the streets outside took no time at all. The medina is mostly residential so there was not much activity there except for a couple of tourist shops. But outside the walls, it seemed things were just starting to happen. We found a place to eat and afterwards again walked the streets. Now, as dusk fell, street stalls were operating, food vans were dishing out local fare, people were sitting in cafés sipping coffee. I had decided to try and buy a pair of the Moroccan leather slippers with the pointy toes. Most of the street stalls only sold vinyl rubbish but in a small arcade we chanced upon a boot-maker selling his slippers outside. He had a gammy leg and a wonky eye but he was ever so helpful! For very little money, I now have the softest, most comfortable pair imaginable.