4th day, april 19th 2023

On board the GNV Majestic – Tanger Med Terminal

Still on the way to Tangier, following the Spanish coast, around midnight the sea was rough but nothing too serious.

The second night aboard the Majestic went well. I was woken around 7:00 am; the sea was still choppy, but the ship was handling it fine. The captain had reduced the speed from 20 to 14 knots (37 to 26 km/h). We’ll see if we still arrive on time in Tangier.

From time to time, I get WhatsApp messages asking if the crossing is boring. Yes, the days can feel long, but I find plenty to keep me occupied: reading, chatting with fellow bikers on board, visiting the bar for food or a drink, writing the blog, and walking the decks to admire the sea. I’ve also spotted many other vessels, cruise ships and cargo boats alike. This morning, I even saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship.

We’re sailing about 20 to 30 km off the Spanish coast, which lets me catch the mobile network now and then. I can see the landscape and, at night, the lights and lighthouses signalling to us.

As mentioned, we’re due to arrive at 6 pm tonight, but one crew member thinks we might be delayed due to the rough seas. I’ve booked a hotel just five minutes from the ferry terminal, so it’s no problem for me, but some bikers want to start their journey tonight. From my research, it’s best to avoid riding at night in Morocco, it’s too risky.

Disembarkation was hectic, with lots of pushing and shoving. The Moroccan drivers all wanted to be first off the boat, but thanks to biker privileges, we were first to disembark! I went through three customs checks, but everything went smoothly.

I got to my hotel (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VxiwFScrQRjCGcD19) in under five minutes. The staff are really friendly and are going to sort me out with a SIM card, since I haven’t yet exchanged my Moroccan dirhams. A night guard will sleep on a mattress next to my bike in the hotel garage, now that’s customer service! My room is simple but spacious and very quiet, with a view of the hotel pool.

Dinner will be served after 9 pm because of Ramadan. There’s a time difference with Switzerland: it’s 6 pm here and 8 pm back home.