#LIKEACHALLENGE 

Tangier was the final destination. The very last 3,5 hours driving back from Casablanca to where it all started. I was very sad that my Moroccan adventure was coming to an end now, but busy planning in my head: what's next? For the first time I properly had a chance to look through all the photos and thought how much I've achieved within the space of just 10 days. I've enjoyed every second of Morocco, learnt a about off-road driving and climbed the highest peak in the Atlas.

Casablanca was the penultimate stop on the rally. I had a very romantic imagine of this city based on the cult Hollywood film under the same name, but the reality is...Casablanca is a giant construction site. It's a mix of modern commercial and apartment buildings, and some old soviet-like blocks...so I was left quite unimpressed. It lacks any architectural or historical landmarks apart from the Hassan II Mosque, which was well worth the drive. It's an imposing structure bu

After spending a whole week driving inland, I couldn't wait to head west towards the ocean. Initially the plan involved a nearly 800km / 10 hour drive south to Tarfaya after Marrakesh, but two days of the rally got eaten up by the Mount Toubkal climb... In hindsight, I should have given myself 12 days altogether (including the climb) to be able to visit Tarfaya... but hey, it's one of the first challenges and I will definitely work on logistics a bit more next time! Essaour

The drive from Aroumd to Marrakesh after climbing Mount Toubkal was the shortest one I had on this rally, but it felt like forever. I was unbelievably tired, desperately in need of a shower (I didn’t wash for 2 nights running) and hungry (a massive KFC bucket sorted that out). Just so you know, the smiling photo above was taken AFTER I had a 12 hour sleep :) Source: Google Maps I spent my only ‘day off’ exploring the dazzling Marrakesh. Wow, what a city! It’s impossible to

Day 4 was a drive from Ouarzazate to Imlil in prep for the Mount Toubkal climb. Just over 240km but the winding mountain tracks (add roadworks to that) made it into a solid 6 hour trek. I never actually feel it takes that long as I'm constantly distracted by the amazing views on route: Nearly looks like LA ;) Ah, the roadworks which stopped the whole traffic for a good hour.. If you look closely there's a digger 'hanging' on the side of the mountain at a 45 degree ang

Reached Ouarzazate about an hour ago. Here's a few photos from today's drive through the Atlas and the Todgha Gorges: limestone river...

As promised, updated post on day 2. Good night sleep in Fes even though I still have to get used to the singing/praying that starts at dawn… This charming hotel, Riad dar Guennoon, is located in the very centre of the city. Hard to find at first among the maze of alleyways, but one of the local lads helped us out. And of course he wanted to get paid for his kindness, which is essentially one of the ways they make money from tourism! I only got a couple of hours to walk

I’ll write more in the morning as I need to get some sleep, but long story short... We were supposed to get from Fez to Agoudal today, roughly 350km and 7hours drive. Unfortunately, part of the 'road' we took through the Atlas mountains simply doesn’t exist anymore, washed away by the river. So we had to turn around 5 hours into the drive.. which meant 2 hours back up the same road to find a hotel in one of the towns. Anyway, we came across this lovely place, Riad Mimouna ne

I’ve got a bit more wi-fi at my current hotel, even though it’s not the hotel in Agoudal that was planned.. more on that story in the next post. Currently sitting in the reception of hotel Riad Mimouna near Midlet (*update as of 2210: they've now closed the reception so outside :) Coming back to day one as yesterday was a disaster zone for internet connection (mind you, I got a 4G dongle for my laptop today, but don’t think it’s working either round here). Anyway, some prom

Well, I'm desperately trying to upload some photos for this post but the local Fez wi-fi ain't havin' any of it! (*update: managed to add ONE in morning today on Tuesday..yes, it only took the whole night to get in on the site) It's been a long day. Prep in the morning (picking up the car, supermarket spree and then..McD, shamelessly have to admit to that sin) and then 300km / 5hour drive to Fez. I'll do a quick tour of the city I the morning, but then we've got another 7 ho

Off to Malaga airport in a few minutes. Excited, but also a bit terrified! I guess that's what challenges are all about..doing something you thought you'd never do. It's been a dream of mine to do an off-road car rally for a loooong time, so no turning back now. And if I ever want to do the Dakar, better start working on my endurance! Even though I feel knackered and I'd rather sleep for a week!!! I barely managed to pack. I've got quite a lot of stuff after a 4 week 'A Plac

I've just reached Torremolinos near Malaga where I'm staying for the night. I've got the flight to Tangier tomorrow evening, so I'll treat myself to a proper lie in followed by sunbathing on the beach before 10 days of hard work. Below you have the face of someone drinking a mint tea and pondering 'why the hell am I not spending the next week and a half in a SPA'. Started the day googling what kind of dangerous creatures live in Morocco. For that reason alone, I'm kind of gl

Countdown to Morocco: 3 days to go and I’m uber excited! It’s gonna be my very first time on the African continent. I’ve wrapped on ‘A Place in the Sun’ in Torrevieja and driving towards Granada for the night. I just stopped in Lorca on the way to grab a quick dinner before another 2 hours drive. This amazing hotel and restaurant is called Parador de Lorca and its built on the site of the old Lorca castle ruins: just look at these panoramic views of he town from up here!

#ThrowbackThursday to Sardinia, which I visited in June earlier on this year. It's dreamy: seductive beaches with the whitest sand you'll ever see around the Mediterranean and gin-clear waters mixed with a touch of wild hinterland. The perfect place for #nofilter views and a heavenly 7 day road trip in a Fiat 500. As it's the first ever post in the travel section, just a bit about what you can expect here. I love doing road trips, either by car or motorbike, so you'll mostl

It’s end of October in sunny Costa Blanca and the clocks go back tomorrow, which gives me an extra hour of sleep. Or writing. Or people watching. I’m currently at a beachfront café in Costa Blanca shamelessly eavesdropping on people’s conversations. And pondering about all the things I could do with my extra hour. Right, let’s get to the point. The car rally around Morocco is one of the first challenges I’ve planned for this website. I’m a massive petrolhead, so I knew I wa