EUROPE BLOG May 22nd, 2023 - TANGIER

5/22/23- We start our morning by waking up at 5:30am. Even though we have a 7am taxi pick-up time (which appears to cost around 35 Euros), I decide to look at Uber and find a ride for only 20 Euros. I quickly cancel the taxi with the hotel and use that option. Upon arrival, I hear Spanish rap music blasting from the Uber and start to rethink this idea, but I go along. I mean what’s the worst that can happen in a foreign country… kidnapped? Oh yeah, that does happen. Hmmm.

Flight #1- It takes 20 minutes and we get to departures 2 ½ hours before our flight. We drop off our bags at the counter, go through security (which was very fast), then wait in the lobby area over an hour before our gate number is called, stand in line at the gate with still half an hour before boarding (which is weird), and finally board the plane. It leaves on time and is only in the air for 40 minutes before touching down in Madrid (very hard landing by the way).

Flight #2- We exit into Terminal 4 and see that our next flight is at Terminal S. We take the elevator down, wait on the underground train to take us to the terminal, wait in line for passport control and get to our gate just as they start to board. However, this boards a bus that takes us to our plane and once we settle into our seats the captain says there’s congestion at the airport and our flight will be delayed. It takes 1 ½ hours before we actually take off and arrive in Tangier, Morocco around 12:45pm.

We exit and people are being handed their small luggage that was stored under the plane like it’s a bus stop. Then we walk inside the airport, go through passport control again and pick up our checked bags from baggage claim. 

Before leaving, I make sure to get Moroccan cash from the ATM (as this is primarily a cash based country) and find a taxi that takes us to our hotel area for 150 MAD ($15 US). I say hotel area because we’re in old town and closed for cars, so we’re let off about a 5 minute walk away (all incline and stairs).

Finally, we check into our hotel and are offered a welcome tea and cookie while we wait. The concierge brings our bags to our room and already I’m impressed with the décor of this hotel (Palais Zahia). It really does look like a palace.

We sit down for only a few minutes before running outside to walk around. Not even a block down the road do we suddenly hear thunder, and we retreat back to get our jackets and umbrella. My mind is set on at least going to the Kasbar Mosque nearby so that’s where we go first, but just as we arrive it pours down rain.

We search for the mosque but can’t see where to enter, and instead opt to check out the Kasbar Museum for only $3 US each to get out from the downpour. It’s unique and small, but by the time we’re done the rain slows.

Feeling hungry, we find a nearby place and order the Moroccan soup (which comes with bread and cheese). Somehow the bill only comes to $1.50 US each. So let me get this straight. I spend a total of $19.50 US and get a ride from the airport, a museum visit and food? I’m loving these prices.

We go back to the hotel thinking we’re done for the day until I see the sky clearing, and immediately am ready to explore. I run out like a kid on Christmas morning trying to get whatever shots I can with the blue sky, and even enjoy a rainbow to boot.

Before we call it a day, I try again to find the mosque from earlier and told it’s not accessible and only can be seen from the outside (which is also hard to take a proper picture of). At least this explains it from before.

With another early start looming tomorrow, we head back around 8pm. Our hotel is hosting a large party for dinner tonight and the performers are very loud. Feels like I stepped into an Indian Jones movie.

Side note- I didn’t know what to expect for Tangier but have to say it’s better than I thought. There are some pushy locals around, but not necessarily inside old town, which is where we’re staying.