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We are just about finished with our time in Morocco/Western Sahara. The hilghlights have, as i find so often in my travel, been the people. The hospitality has been phenominal and we have met very many intersting people. Stopping for elevensies and tea with locals is a highlight each day.
Back in Rabat we did really wel getting the 3 visas in only 2 days and from there went south into the Atlas mountains. I fel sick, very sick but it only really lasted a day but with a nasty fever. Must have eaten something nasty. The mountains were spectacular and then we got further south to the desert. We set out on a trip along an old Paris Dakar raly route which involved some decent isolation and fun riding. Kate was lucky with a crash at speed in some soft sand, cartwheeling her bike and bruising herself up nicely. Like a trooper though both bike and her were back underway within an hour, albeit at a slightly more suitable speed for us all. (riding flat out with fuly loaded bikes and no support team was gettng a bit much)
From the desert piste we got to Western Sahara. A region now dominated by the moroccans we drove through Laayoune (capital city) to see signs of severe recent unrest. Burnt out buildings, machinery, banks, fuel stations etc everywhere. There were about as many police or soldiers as there were civilians, many of these guys fully armed in riot gear. I heard that there were somewhere between 4 and 20 ppl kiled last week....? The UN was out in force doing their bit to no doubt write reports on how bad it all is. As a westerner it seemed quite ok. The officials were helpful and friendly and the locals were ensuring we were treated as any other.Since then we have been passing between 5 and 10 road blocks each day, without dramas.
From here we go south, and into Mauritania. Perhaps we head along the broder in Mauritania along more desert treacks, or follow the couast down to Noucochott(nuts n chocolates)where we will need more visas. I guess we wil decide on which way when we get there. For now though, a very happy birthday to mum. Miss you and know that i wil be thinking of you while riding the coast towards the border tomorrow. Ill try to call you during the day if i get signal.
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Kay Hi Michael, looks like you are having fun, keep it up please be careful. Love Kay.