Morocco
Timjicht – 29 Jan 2022
Just a few days before my trip, I was starting to feel the financial pressure due to the significant amount I had spent during my one year trip around Morocco. To address this, I came up with the idea of starting a merch, selling t-shirts and tote bags. I was overwhelmed by the support I received from my friends and social media community, many of whom suggested opening a crowdfunding page. However, I didn’t feel comfortable taking money just because I was embarking on a long trip. Maybe someday, I’ll consider it.
I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from my loved ones, not just in buying my products, but also in their willingness to help. My best friends Hind and Meriem have been my pillars, and I can’t forget the VNO team that followed me to Atlas mountains to say goodbye. There are too many amazing people to name, but I am thankful for all of them.
Marrakech – Oct 2022
Before the trip, my family had some familial issues that were challenging for us all. They asked me to stay, but I knew that I had to go, no matter what the cost. Their support and acceptance of my decision to embark on this adventure, despite its craziness and risk, means a lot to me. I wouldn’t be MEGHYLOST without the experiences and upbringing my family provided me. For that.
Leaving Casablanca was a difficult but necessary step in pursuing my dream of exploring Africa. I was filled with emotion, shedding tears of gratitude for the support I had received from friends and family. Finally, I could embark on this journey without having to worry about the constraints of time and days.
Bouskora – 08/01/2023
Before leaving, I decided to take the mountains road, to say goodbye to the Atlas Mountains. Climbing Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, was a must do on my list. It felt like a homecoming, as the mountains have always given me a sense of tranquility and an escape from from the busy activity of everyday life.
I was lucky enough to have a friend accompany me, and we pushed ourselves to climb Toubkal in just 24 hours. This gave me a day to reset before embarking on the challenging cycling journey to Tizi n Test. I will always cherish the memory of climbing Toubkal, as the snow-capped peaks and cold weather filled me with a sense of wonder .
11/01/2023 Tahanaout
Toubkal – 12/01/2023
My relationship with the mountains is a magical one. They have been a source of solace for me, helping me to find peace and serenity even during times of insomnia. I have lost count of how many times I have climbed Toubkal, as each ascent feels different and unique in its own way. It’s as if I am experiencing it for the first time each time I climb it.
Overall, climbing Toubkal before leaving Morocco was a great decision. It allowed me to reflect on the journey I was about to embark on and to bid farewell to the place that had been my home for so long. While I will miss the mountains and the cold weather, I am excited to explore new places and to create new memories on my journey through Africa.
The cycling journey to Tizi n Test was an unforgettable experience as the views were absolutely breathtaking. My friends, however, didn’t want to leave the mountains just yet, so they decided to drive to Tizi and wait for me there. We were all excited to celebrate our friend <ma copine> birthday at an altitude of 2300 meters, despite the cold night. As the sun began to set, I finally arrived at the mountain pass, which had an altitude of 2100 meters. The journey to get there covered a distance of 100 kilometers and involved an elevation gain of over 2000 meters.
Tizi n’test 13/01/2023
The ride to Taroudant was incredibly risky, with more than 1900m of downhill and strong winds. The wind was so strong that it felt like I was riding directly into it, making it a real challenge to reach Taroudant. Despite the difficulty of the ride, the views of the High Atlas Mountains along the way were truly breathtaking, and the sense of accomplishment upon arriving in Taroudant made it all worth it. The challenge of the windy downhill ride added an extra layer of excitement and adventure to the journey, then a easy day to Inzegan,I found a good hotel and stayed there. I also visited Agadir for sunset and enjoyed some chocolate cake before finally setting off the next day for Tiznit.
I took a well deserved day off in Tiznit, where I met up with some friends from Tiznit, going to Jubantoja concert and I met another traveler named Tim, who also shared a passion for exploring the African continent. After ia delicious breakfast in Aglou, I pedaled my way to Mirleft, where my best friend Aicha had joined me by bus from Casablanca. I made the decision to spend some quality time with her in Mirleft before heading to Sidi Ifni the following day, where I planned to enjoy another day with my her before continuing my journey towards Guelmim.
Staying at El Moja hostel in Sidi Ifni was a great decision, not just because of the clean and comfortable accommodations, but also because of the opportunity to meet fellow travelers from around the world. It’s always fascinating to hear about their experiences and share travel stories. Hostels offer a unique environment where people from all the world come to share a common love of travel.
21/01/2023 EL Gzira – Sidi Ifni
21/01/2023 Khanfof – Sidi Ifni
Cecradi and I cycled together to his hometown of Guelmim. Along the way, he insisted that Aisha and our other friends come to his home so they could experience the beginning of the desert with me. His passion for sharing his culture and way of life with others was infectious. When we arrived in Guelmim, Abdelhadi’s family and friends greeted us with warm hospitality and kindness. We spent two nights there, listening to his stories and learning about his adventures throughout Africa over the past four years. Abdelhadi’s encouragement and motivation were a driving force for me, and he expressed his desire to see a Moroccan woman embark on such a journey. Meeting him before continuing my travels was an excellent decision.
As I cycled from Guelmim to Tantan, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. This was the moment I had been waiting for the beginning of my journey through the desert. Some may find the desert boring, but for me, it was a truly meditative experience.
I cycled 190 km from Al Outya to Tarfaya. The wind was at my back at the beginning of the journey, but it shifted and became strong, hitting me from the side after I passed Akhfenir. Despite the challenge, I managed to reach the city after 8 hours of cycling. I was proud of myself for completing the journey, especially considering the difficult weather conditions with the strong crosswind.
Only 100 km to Laayoune, far from home. Despite being alone in the desert, I find it hard to contain my emotions. The vast expanse of sand and sky around me seemed to stretch out endlessly, and the only sounds were the crunching of my bike tires on the gravelly ground and the occasional gust of wind. I found myself falling into a peaceful rhythm, the steady motion of my legs and the slow passing of the scenery around me clearing my mind of any worries or stress.
During my trip, I began to connect with some of my family members who had reached out to me and invited me to visit them. They lived far from their hometown, and visitors were a rarity. However, my arrival on a bike filled them with pride and excitement, and they eagerly spoke to me about my adventures and travels. I even had the opportunity to share my experiences with their young children. On my way to Dakhla, I have over 300 km to go and there are fewer villages and shops along the way. I enjoy cycling long distances in the desert, so I have decided to cover the distance from Marssa Laayoune to Boujdor in one day, which is 160 km, and then cycle another 140 km the next day. I spent a night at a fuel station along the way.
Despite the harsh conditions, I found the desert to be beautiful in its own unique way. The shifting sands created mesmerizing patterns and shapes, and the colors of the sky at sunset and sunrise were breathtaking. Even though there were no people or buildings in sight, I never felt alone – the desert was teeming with life. Small desert plants somehow managed to survive in the arid landscape, and occasional sightings of lizards and birds added to the richness of the experience.
28/02/2023 Laayoune
After cycling 170 km, I arrived in Dakhla. My body was exhausted and I felt like I had pushed myself too hard, but I was still enjoying the ride and trying to prove to myself how strong I could be. In Dakhla, Amine and his wife hosted me at their auberge. They were incredibly kind and even gave me the keys to their auberge, where I stayed alone for three days due to getting my period and the bad weather. It was raining in Dakhla, which was unusual for the area, but I didn’t let that dampen my spirits. I met some friends in Dakhla and enjoyed some delicious fish. I knew that this was the last big city in Morocco where I could find almost everything I needed before crossing the border into a new country.
Riding my bike in the desert, I felt amazed by how big and beautiful nature was. It made me feel small and insignificant, but also part of something greater than myself.
More than 360 km to reach a new country Mauritania . My friend Omar offered me a drone to capture the amazing landscape from the sky, but I had to wait for two Moroccan travelers who were coming by car to bring me the drone to the borders. It took me three days to reach the Guergarat from Dakhla, and the last part of the journey was very wild. I experienced a little sandstorm that gave me an amazing view, but the wind was in my favor. Finally, I saw the Moroccan flag, and I only had a few meters left to go out of my comfort zone and explore a new country.
It took me 10 hours to leave Morocco and then 5 km in no man’s land to reach the Mauritanian border. I paid 500 dh / 50$ to get a visa, which took about 30 minutes. Then I went to the police station, where they asked me why I was going to Mauritania, if I had a YouTube channel, and if I filmed at the border. They were curious, and I had to explain the same thing to multiple officers for about an hour as I went from office to office. Finally, they returned my passport, welcomed me to Mauritania, and wished me a nice trip
