Finding the riad in the medina at Rabat was a bit of a trial. But once there I felt I had finally made my move and survived a transplantation into a very different world. The plan initially was to stock up on supplies and have a look around Rabat.. but I had little time for that and even missed breakfast. Being a cheapskate cycling/camping hobo the hotel was a teeny bit more upmarket than I would like. It was an expensive sleep in my books. I imagined a meter running whilst I slept. But once awake the riad looked lovely. The room was well furnished and it felt like I at least had a brief, almost luxurious stay, in quite a beautiful traditionally furnished Moroccan house. Hang the expense.

Feeling rough (grrrr headache) and barely ready I found myself thrown out from the small passageway of the hotel door into the bustling market. Exciting stuff! With barely room to steer my bike I picked my way between the traders. The busy passageway led to the walkway la Boulevard el Alou filled with shops and stalls. I sat and had a fishy (pilchards?) bun with a peppery sauce before heading back West towards the coast road. I could not resist stopping for a freshly pressed orange juice from a woman in a long black Hijab.

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I arrived out of the medina opposite the walls and main gate of the ancient Kasbah where I had briefly taken shelter the night before. I was tempted to take a little ride inside on my bike.
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Aside from the huge gates at the entrance the Kasbah was not terribly impressive and access did not extend far. Back out on the coast road the weather changed as I rounded the coast beyond the Kasbah. The combination of heavy rain and strong headwind made me take shelter behind some ruins and spray from the sea threatened to rise above me as the waves crashed into the rocks. Typical seaside weather!

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Regardless of the heavy clouds heading inland I was happy, once again, to be back in the saddle and heading South along the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Yeah!
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