Off to Morocco soon-advice please

[K9Morris]

Hi guys I'm off to Morocco in about a month. I've read a lot on here about border, travel, medical and bike insurance. Can anyone please advise me EXACTLY what I need.

I've checked my travel insurance and they say I'm covered for Morocco.

My bike insurers (IAM Surety) say I'm not covered for Morocco-so what type of cover do I need, where's the best place to get it and how much will it cost me?

What is green card insurance and do I need it and where do I get it?

I've filled in the importation form online and printed it off, is there anything else I could do prior to the trip to speed things up once I get there?

To anyone thats been there this time of year what type of weather can I expect, do I need any innoculations and is there anything particular I need to watch out for in terms of little beasties etc.

Any help will be very much appreciated. I know there is a lot of information on here about this stuff but some of it is several years old, most of it I find confusing, complicated, sometimes conflicting and usually opinion based.

Cheers in advance of any help proferred

 

[Timolgra]

Phone your insurers and ask them for a green card for Morocco or if you get stuck it's possible to buy say a months cover there.

Don't bother with inocculations.

The weather should be very warm but could be heavy rain, colder in the mountains.

Many folk get a bad stomach in Morocco so be prepared for that in terms of rehydration salts etc. I tend to eat live yogurts leading up to a trip and have never had a stomach upset.

Don't fret about bugs etc.

I agree too much information here and no doubt you'll recieve more, go and explore it for yourself

 

[Greg Masters]

You'll get plenty of pan-handlers all over Morocco. You have to be firm almost to the point of rudeness to get rid of them. However, you may find an official guide helpful at the border. If you want to use them, decide how much you're going to pay them and keep exactly that amount in a pocket where you can reach it. NEVER show more cash than you intend to give/spend.

Greg

 

[AberdeenAngus]

As far as jabs go....nothing special for Morocco.
Just make sure your usual ones are up to date. i.e. Dip-Tet, Polio and HepA

Make sure all your docs say the same thing.
i.e. your vehicle docs are in the same name and same address as yourself.
If the vehicle is in (say) a company name you will need a letter saying you have permission to have it - drop me a line, I have one in English/French.

Make sure your passport has at least 6 mnths left to run when you go.

Have you made up a fiche ?

If you're going anywhere near the Rif mountains you will gets hundreds of folk trying to sell you dope.
Typical ruse is to wave an empty water bottle at you - begging for water.
If you stop, the hard sell begins.

 

[carinatauk]

One that catches a few out. Does your travel insurance cover you riding a motorcycle abroad and is restricted? Alot don't

 

[K9Morris]

Phone your insurers and ask them for a green card for Morocco or if you get stuck it's possible to buy say a months cover there.

Don't bother with inocculations.

The weather should be very warm but could be heavy rain, colder in the mountains.

Many folk get a bad stomach in Morocco so be prepared for that in terms of rehydration salts etc. I tend to eat live yogurts leading up to a trip and have never had a stomach upset.

Don't fret about bugs etc.

I agree too much information here and no doubt you'll recieve more, go and explore it for yourself

Cheers for the advice, I'm deliberating whether to take my winter kit which is totally waterproof but warm or my summer stuff with waterproof suit. I'll phone my insurers tomorrow ref the green card-what is this? Is it temporary 3rd party insurance?

Good to hear about the vaccs and the bugs, really lookin forward to gettin there now

 

[K9Morris]

You'll get plenty of pan-handlers all over Morocco. You have to be firm almost to the point of rudeness to get rid of them. However, you may find an official guide helpful at the border. If you want to use them, decide how much you're going to pay them and keep exactly that amount in a pocket where you can reach it. NEVER show more cash than you intend to give/spend.

Greg

Sounds like excellent advice ref the cash, I was gonna travel with 2 or 3 wallets anyway, carefully secreted about my person! I can do rude no probs, tho having a mackem accent most things sound rude

 

[K9Morris]

As far as jabs go....nothing special for Morocco.
Just make sure your usual ones are up to date. i.e. Dip-Tet, Polio and HepA

Make sure all your docs say the same thing.
i.e. your vehicle docs are in the same name and same address as yourself.
If the vehicle is in (say) a company name you will need a letter saying you have permission to have it - drop me a line, I have one in English/French.

Make sure your passport has at least 6 mnths left to run when you go.

Have you made up a fiche ?

If you're going anywhere near the Rif mountains you will gets hundreds of folk trying to sell you dope.
Typical ruse is to wave an empty water bottle at you - begging for water.
If you stop, the hard sell begins.

Thanks for the water bottle tip, one to remember. I think all my docs are in order-but what is a fiche?

 

[K9Morris]

One that catches a few out. Does your travel insurance cover you riding a motorcycle abroad and is restricted? Alot don't

Thanks for the remind. Spoke to them and told them where I was goin and what I was doin and got them to confirm that I was covered-I am-so long as I dont take part in any dangerous activities

 

[AberdeenAngus]

A fiche is a standard form containing your passport & vehicle details etc.
Fill it in, run off a dozen copies and if you get stopped at a checkpoint or checking into a hotel, you just hand one in. Saves tons of time.
You could make one yourself or there is a template here with the titles in French.
http://www.morocco-overland.com/fiche.doc


Another tip is to scan all your docs before you go and e-mail them to yourself. That way you can always get at them if needed.

 

[Steptoe]

A fiche is a standard form containing your passport & vehicle details etc.
Fill it in, run off a dozen copies and if you get stopped at a checkpoint or checking into a hotel, you just hand one in. Saves tons of time.
.

Doesn't always save time.
Wait to be asked for it before presenting it. As many police are quite happy with a just passport or a verbal question, and producing a fiche can confuse the feck out of them and keep you tied up for some time while they work out what this official looking document is. They get worried if they see a document and feel like they have to do something official instead of just waving you on.

I've never had to use one. Besides it spoils the fun of making up an occupation when checking into hotels. I've been a rocket scientist, hairdresser, astronaut, sex tourist, knob jockey and a bendy bus.

 

[carinatauk]

Fiche are great, used loads when I was over there.

Colour photocopy your driving licence and V5, never give the original. As AA has said, scan and email your docs to yourself

They will question your occupation, for some reason I am a engineer

It's your first time so don't be blase; else someone will make a fortune

The guys on here have done it a few times, so know what to expect!

Will they attempt to fleece you, yes; expect it then you can deal with it.

At the border they will check everything, if they see an opportunity. And don't be scared to chase the bloke who is in charge to get your papers signed

I use a bladder for water, excellent even when cool

Desert and rooms can be cold! they are designed that way

A few small bits of cash the right way and your kit is safe all the time

In a group, they see an opportunity. As a single bike, they help? and don't hinder. But that is my experience

 

[Number 6]

You'll get plenty of pan-handlers all over Morocco. You have to be firm almost to the point of rudeness to get rid of them. However, you may find an official guide helpful at the border. If you want to use them, decide how much you're going to pay them and keep exactly that amount in a pocket where you can reach it. NEVER show more cash than you intend to give/spend.
Greg

No no no! Never pay these fuckers anything! It's corruption, pure and simple. If you go via Tanger Med there are no touts, there are official aides (wearing hi-vis) who will help you and will neither ask for or expect payment. If you go via Ceuta just tell the touts to 'go away'

You don't need a fiche in Morocco, I've travelled thousands of miles there and never been stopped (except once for speeding ) The only place a fiche is useful is in Western Sahara where there are frequent checkpoints but I doubt you'll be going that far. The police are very friendly, always wave at/salute them and you'll usually get a salute in return

Have fun, it's a great place.

 

[Greg Masters]

NEVER show more cash than you intend to give/spend.

No no no! Never pay these fuckers anything! It's corruption, pure and simple. If you go via Tanger Med there are no touts, there are official aides (wearing hi-vis) who will help you and will neither ask for or expect payment. If you go via Ceuta just tell the touts to 'go away'

You don't need a fiche in Morocco, I've travelled thousands of miles there and never been stopped (except once for speeding ) The only place a fiche is useful is in Western Sahara where there are frequent checkpoints but I doubt you'll be going that far. The police are very friendly, always wave at/salute them and you'll usually get a salute in return

Have fun, it's a great place.

I was also thinking about general bartering for the odd rug etc!

 

[STUBBS]

eat live yogurts as soon as you arrive to get the local anti bodies in your system

 

[Number 6]

I was also thinking about general bartering for the odd rug etc!

Good point I always carry just enough cash in my pocket, the rest is hidden away.

 

[PHILinFRANCE]

Cheers for starting this post K9Morris, ill be going around the same time and it's also my 1st time.
Cheers for all the advice guys
Phil

 

[Reckless]

Cheers for starting this post K9Morris, ill be going around the same time and it's also my 1st time.
Cheers for all the advice guys
Phil

Enjoy yourself Phil - final device - take lots of small Cafe Creme cigars - always useful for stressed mates or for a change from roll-ups! Also, don't forget the chamois for the Wing!

 

[PHILinFRANCE]

Never leave home without the Rollies mate .... but what do you mean "chamois for the wing" ????
Phil

 

[Reckless]

Phil - my apologies - I have a Goldwing owning friend called Phil who lives in France and is coming to Morocco with a group of us later this month. It seemed too much of a coincidence - I thought he was surfing the GSeR site looking for information!

The cigar banter and his famous chamois leather were directed at him. :cool

Enjoy your trip anyway - we leave on the 21st for Santander - may see you on the road.

Pete