MOROCCO: A Day In Tantalizing Tangier

November 26, 2016  •  6 Comments

Tangier, Morocco - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco

 


So .... we've got a week to traipse around Spain's Costa del Sol and figure why not hop on the ferry to Tangier? Easily doable from our base in Torremolinos - we could've done it solo (drive to Tarifa, take the ferry from there and wander around Tangier), but previous visits to Morocco reminded me that it's probably not the best idea for to arrive there with no plan and wander aimlessly around. Don't get me wrong, it's not like it's dangerous or anything — but tourists are spotted and targeted immediately to to buy .... anything.

If you've been to Morocco, then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, don't let it put you off, but be prepared to be harassed to buy, buy, buy every minute of your time here. Why go if I knew this already? I wanted the child to experience being in Morocco, so we were willing to accept the bad with the good. 

 


THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY


I broke one of my golden travel rules and booked a tour. Cost — maybe around 50€ and includes the bus to/from Tarifa, ferry to/from Tangier and guide/bus  waiting on the other side for you. The bus drives around the city with the guide doing his schpeel, you stop to ride a camel, then walk through the Medina, have lunch in a typical restaurant with live music and a belly-dancing show, see a carpet demo and visit a Berber pharmacy.

Sounds cute, right? Except the camel was really a dromedary.... in the middle of the city.... in a parking lot... a 2-min ride for 2€ (of course, the child just had to do this). The mandatory stops at the carpet place and the Berber pharmacy resulted in several very pushy salesmen who didn't seem to understand the word "no" in any language we tried. Plus the entire time walking through the Medina, we were followed... by what seems like the same group of extremely pushy sales peeps. It starts to feel quite claustrophobic.

I mean, I know these dudes are just trying to make a living and everything, but what they fail to realize is that if they gave people space to breathe — more peeps would most likely buy their stuff.  Instead of enjoying being in Tangier, the constant, aggressive harassment to buy stuff, just makes you want to run back to the ferry to leave and never come back. Aside from that, Tangier is a beautiful, tantalizing city — the narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, the brightly colored woven fabrics everywhere, the smell of fresh bread and spices.... I just wish we could be left in peace to truly enjoy it. 

Still... glad I went,  glad the child got to tick off another country — hell, another continent — off her list, and of course, the photo ops are awesome (which is the main reason I wanted to go!). Enjoy!

The middle child, just waking up from her nap on the ferry to Tangier - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyOn the ferry from Tarifa to TangierThe middle child, just waking up from her nap on the ferry to Tangier The middle child, just waking up from her nap on the ferry to Tangier


Oh look, maybe I can hitch a ride back to Spain on this - Tangier, Morocco - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyYacht in the Tangier port - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyOh look, maybe I can hitch a ride back to Spain on this Oh look, maybe I can hitch a ride back to Spain on this 


Off the boat and making our way to wherever they're taking us - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyOff the boat and making our way to wherever they're taking us - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyOff the boat and making our way to wherever they're taking us Off the boat and making our way to wherever they're taking us


The middle child getting a lift from a Dromadery in Tangier, Morocco - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyCamel ride in MoroccoThe middle child getting a lift from a Dromadery The middle child getting a lift from a Dromadery 


She doesn't look so sure about this anymore! Tangier, Morocco - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyShe doesn't look so sure about this anymore! She doesn't look so sure about this anymore!


Up close and personal with these dudes Tangier, Morocco Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyUp close and personal with these dudes Up close and personal with these dudes


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyView of the city from some hill...somewhere in Tangier View of the city from some hill...somewhere in Tangier


Traffic on the way to the market Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTraffic on the way to the market Traffic on the way to the Medina (Market)


Vegetable and fruits available all over the square as you approach the Medina - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyVegetable and fruits available all over the square as you approach the Medina Vegetable and fruits available all over the square as you approach the Medina


Prepping veggies in the market Tangier, Morocco Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyPrepping veggies in the market Prepping veggies in the market


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyFigs....I think! Figs....I think!


Fresh red peppers Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyFresh red peppers Fresh red peppers


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyLadies negotiating the cost of veggies Ladies negotiating the cost of veggies


Lots of price negotiations going on Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyLots of price negotiations going on Lots of price negotiations going on


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTime to see what else they have in the Medina Time to see what else they have in the Medina


Lots of handmade pottery Tangier, Morocco Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyLots of handmade pottery Lots of handmade pottery 


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyAnd candle holders And candle holders


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyHandmade baskets Handmade baskets


Beautiful glass lamps - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyBeautiful glass lamps Beautiful glass lamps


Tempted to take one home with me - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTempted to take one home with me Tempted to take one home with me


So much beautiful handmade stuff here - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographySo much beautiful handmade stuff here So much beautiful handmade stuff here


Hand-painted plates and bawls - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyHand-painted plates and bawls Hand-painted plates and bowls


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyMaking our way through the maze of the Medina Making our way through the maze of the Medina


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyEven more handmade goodies Even more handmade goodies


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon Photography Tangier, MoroccoTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographySteps at the market in Tangier, Morocco Steps at the market in Tangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyA pink mosque tower in Tangier A  pink mosque tower in Tangier


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyThe child, checking out the view The child, checking out the view


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier Morocco Mosque in the Grand Socco Market Square Tangier Morocco Mosque in the Grand Socco Market Square


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyOur super helpful guide, Sa'id Our super helpful guide, Sa'id


Ancient Banyan tree in the court of justice - they say if you make a wish while touching it, it comes true Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyAncient Banyan tree in the court of justice - they say if you make a wish while touching it, it comes true Ancient Banyan tree in the court of justice - they say if you make a wish while touching it, it comes true


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyShe's thinking about what to wish for... She's thinking about what to wish for...


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyMedina - Tangier, Morocco Medina - Tangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyBusy day in Tangier Busy day in Tangier


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyThe smell of something yummy grilling The smell of something yummy grilling


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyPeppers anyone? Peppers anyone?


How about a slab of beef?- Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyHow about a slab of beef? How about a slab of beef?


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyLove walking through markets, only wish I could buy some stuff to bring home Love walking through markets, only wish I could buy some stuff to bring home


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyI guess these will have to do - a snack for the ferry ride back to Spain I guess these will have to do - a snack for the ferry ride back to Spain


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyMmmmmmnnnnnn....olives! Mmmmmmnnnnnn....olives!


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyNaked birds..... I guess we've made it to the butcher section Naked birds..... I guess we've made it to the butcher section


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyYup - definitely the butcher section of the market Yup - definitely the butcher section of the market


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyI don't know what these are, but I want... like, 2 stacks of these suckers I don't know what these are, but I want... like, 2 stacks of these suckers


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTime to break for lunch at Restaurant Mamounia Palace Time to break for lunch at Restaurant Mamounia Palace


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyOur welcoming committee Our welcoming committee


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyGorgeous dining area just waiting for us Gorgeous dining area just waiting for us


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTime to get comfy Time to get comfy


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyWaiting patiently for food Waiting patiently for food


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyStarting off with tomato and chick pea soup with fresh bread Starting off with tomato and chick pea soup with fresh bread


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyChicken skewers Chicken skewers


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyCouscous and veggies Couscous and veggies


Belly dancing show  Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyBelly dancing show Belly dancing show 


Dessert cookie with mint tea - Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyDessert cookie with mint tea Dessert - cookie with mint tea


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTime to head back out to wander around for a bit Time to head back out to wander around for a bit


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyPlace Aissawa Place Aissawa


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyGorgeous doors everywhere Gorgeous doors everywhere


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyWe're getting roped in to sitting through a carpet sales pitch.... at least the entrance looks promising! We're getting roped in to sitting through a carpet sales pitch.... at least the entrance looks promising!


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyThey're rolling out the carpet for us.... They're rolling out the carpet for us....


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTime to check out some carpets.....and some other interesting stuff Time to check out some carpets.....and some other interesting stuff


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyBeautiful lamps hanging everywhere


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyQuite the collection


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTangier, Morocco Handbag anyone?


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTime to make our way through alleys to get back to the port Time to make our way through alleys to get back to the port


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyCan't walk anywhere without being harassed to buy something Can't walk anywhere without being harassed to buy something


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographySo that's where carpets are hung out to dry in the city So that's where carpets are hung out to dry in the city


Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyTravel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon PhotographyCiao Tangiers! Ciao Tangier!


Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON


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Comments

Fadahunsi Baez(non-registered)
Morocco is a place where you need to adjust your expectations accordingly and be prepared that it’s a place like no other. Read these tips and things to do before heading to Marrakech to avoid disappointments. Many travelers start their trip in Morocco and travel from there southwards to the Sahara. Depending on the total amount of days and nights that you would like to spend on this tour we can make a personalized tour for you. Plan for a trip to Sahara desert with the help of a locally-run travel agency Sahara Bliss Tours.
Patrick Corbett(non-registered)
Sabah el Kheel Jenn.
having been scared away by your comments about the sales vampires we resisted going back to morocco . we also visited tangier only a few years back and had the same experience as you BUT we decided to see what the rest of the country was like and WOW.what a pleasant shocker. it is amazing. nothing like tangier. NO, repeat NO hassling sales vampires. we did not see one during 2 weeks there. we took a gate 1 tour to max out our $$ and time . I would highly recommend them. thanks for sharing your awesome talents with the world!!!!
Aasfa Khan(non-registered)
Wow, very beautiful post. Thanks for updating the interesting information regarding the Morocco travel. Morocco is an exciting place to visit. Get more information about Morocco from here: http://yougomorocco.blogspot.in/2017/12/experience-beauty-of-morocco-with-you.html
Jacquenett(non-registered)
I really like your photos ! Every picture tells a story, i must visit this place in morocco.
Ruby(non-registered)
In a few weeks I am traveling to Morocco and this article is very helpful, I am waiting for new ones.
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