Bouregreg Marina, Rabat, Morocco
29 October 2012 | North Atlantic
John
Well, here we are in Bouregreg Marina, Rabat. It is quite a well maintained marina, apparently owned by the King of Morocco, and is situated about a mile up the Bouregreg River. We arrived yesterday after noon and were escorted up the river by a marina launch to the customs and immigration dock, in the river, just outside the marina. And then the trouble started! "Where is your visa", asked the young immigration officer. Well, I do not have one and was then confined to the boat. An hour later he sent Dylan to fetch me and the chief of the immigration section issued me a five day emergency visa - actually a letter stating he had given me permission to stay in Morocco for a maximum of five days. There was another South African boat that arrived at the same time as us and both owner and his wife had applied for visas whilst in Turkey, at a cost of around R2000 each! My letter and the rest of the crew cost us nothing.
We have studied the weather and it looks like we will be departing here on Wednesday around noon, on the high tide, to be able to get over the sand bar at the entrance to the river. We will have a few days of light headwinds and at least 12 hours of 20 odd knots of head winds before the winds change to a comfortable northeast, which should take us down to well below the Canary Islands and the start of the trades.
Now lets get back to Rabat. Dylan and I took a walk about three kilometres to a supermarket. It is very similar to South Africa and at the same time totally different. The streets are not clean and every conceivable metal grid, drain cover and even some metal signage has been removed in the dead of night and sold to the recycle yard. However, I have not seen anybody walking around without a hand! Also, the marina is all fenced off with heavy security all round. There are beggars on the streets and stray dogs and cats all over. Well, this is my perception - others may see everything with a different eye.
Returning to the marina, there are a lot of boats coming and going, with a lot of them heading down to the Canary Islands to take part in the 2012 ARC (Atlantic Rally Crossing). I am sure these boats have been having just as much problems in getting south as we have been having. One notable boat that has just arrived is Distant Shores II, the couple that have made television documentary films of their adventure. I wonder what they will make of Rabat?
I am going to sign off now as it is time for me to make dinner - stir fried chicken and vegetables in a wrap. Cheers from all aboard - John
Ps. The photograph above is us following the marina lunch up the River Bouregreg.