Morocco Day 12

Before we left the Tafroute area, we went for a short walk to see a rock carving dating to 400 BC.

It was a pleasant walk on a clear, sunny beautiful morning before we headed out on a long bus ride. We are heading west to Tiznit, then north along the coastline to Essaouira.

As we approached Agadir we began to see the Atlantic Ocean! We stopped at a very large grocery store chain called and it was in a small mall – the first we’d seen in Morocco!

I couldn’t believe the vast selection, huge quantity, and excellent prices! Mike and I got prepared sandwiches, a pastille, fruit salad, cheese and black forest cake for about $10 CDN.

Our driver took us to a nice spot where we had a picnic lunch. The beach at Agadir is gorgeous!

There was a fairly strong, warm breeze blowing and I took the opportunity to walk in the water while looking for interesting shells and rocks. The city of Agadir is very modern, touristy, and expensive to live in.

After lunch we had nice views of the ocean for awhile and saw people playing beach volleyball, picnicking, motor biking, and even riding horses and camels! 

Soon the hot sun put most of us to sleep until we pulled over to photograph goats in trees again! A short while later we stopped at a women’s argan oil coop. Amazingly, argan trees only grow in Morocco. They have been using it for years but it was only recently discovered how beneficial it was. It is used not only in creams, soaps and lotions but in food products as well.

We watched them cracking and grinding the nuts and then looked through all of the many products they had for sale. The money they make goes to improve their situation – money well spent instead of in the shops.

More miles, more naps, then Essaouria. I just love the name of this place! Our bus parked close to the ocean then we followed our luggage carried in carts by porters to our lovely hotel, down a main street then into a souk-type of alley.

There was mint tea and yummy cookies waiting for all of us in the lobby, together with an envelope containing our room keys. What service!

 Our room is very nice and we had a terrific supper. I had chicken and vegetables; Mike had pigeon pastilla! Yum!

I am surprised by the amount of French spoken here in the southern part of Morocco. I don’t think I have heard much Arabic for several days now. My ear for French is becoming more tuned in. It’s only the second time since high school that it has come in handy!