Salaam Alaikum, Morocco!

Arriving in Tangier was pretty special. We completed the day-crossing from Cadiz across the Gibraltar Strait, only having to dodge a few big container ships along the way! And although it’s not actually that far from Spain to Morocco in terms of actual sailing, it was a pretty momentous occasion - none of us had ever set foot on the African continent before. We can actually still see Spain from our position here in the marina in Tangier, and yet, we’re a whole world away from Europe. Not only that, this arrival marked the end of our first season of sailing. Getting to Morocco had been a big goal of ours. We had known for a long time that this was where we were going to spend our first winter. And making it all the way down from La Rochelle along the Atlantic coast of Western Europe has been a pretty big undertaking considering we had no previous sailing experience…

And what a welcome we had in Morocco! Right from the get-go everyone in Tangier has been simply lovely, welcoming and helpful. Although the marina here is still in its infancy (with some parts still being built), the set up is brilliant and we’re really excited to spend the next five months here. So, our first week was a busy one getting ourselves settled in and getting our bearings on the city. 

One of the first things we wanted to do was explore the ancient medina, with its small meandering alleyways, hidden little shops, and markets piled high with mountains of spices and fresh fruits. Where the smell of incense lingers in the air, and the sugary mint teas are served with heavenly almond treats. Where the warm tagines fill your belly, and the atmospheric sounds of the mosque’s call to prayer ring out across the city. Where strangers stop to greet you in the street and alleycats dart in and out of pretty carved doorways. Where tightly packed buildings are wedged into the hillside, and the burst of colour from bright pink bougainvilleas set against white-washed walls pair perfectly with the brilliant blue skies.

We arrived in Tangier on a Tuesday, on Wednesday we got our bearings, and on Thursday we took the kids to be enrolled in a local pre-school where they will learn French and Arabic. By the Thursday afternoon we were filling out insurance forms, getting doctor’s certificates signed, and sending through official documents in order complete the registration - their first day of school would be the following morning. Which, coincidently, would be a celebration for the upcoming Moroccan Independence Day! The school was hosting a party with all the children dressing in traditional outfits and sharing local treats. So, the night before  (after completing all of our school registration errands), we went into the souk and purchased embellished kaftans for them to wear on their first day of school. I’ll be honest, it was totally adorable! The teachers laid on an absolute feast of cakes and biscuits and pastries, and the children sang along to Moroccan music and played traditional games.

And although it was difficult for Sullivan and Frankie to start at a new school in a foreign land, speaking a different language with people they had never seen before, they did so well. It’s been five months since they left their preschool in Singapore, and have been attached at the hip to Mum and Dad ever since. And although they’re not used to being away from us, we think it will be really beneficial for them to be immersed in a different culture, as well as make some new friends. It will also give us a bit of time to ourselves! Though we have a lot to get done too; not only are there boat maintenance jobs to carry out over the winter, but we will also be working on our business to earn our spends through these quieter months. 

We’re settling in really nicely to our new temporary home of Tangier. I think we’re going to like this land of mystery and wonder…