28 Oct - 4 Nov 2017
Jess, Annie and I had a very relaxed week in Morocco. We flew to Marrakech (my flight research failed to find Essouira airport!!) and took a 2.5hr taxi to Essaouira. We stayed within the charming mid-eighteenth century fortress town (Medina) at a traditional Riad called "Maison du Sud" - which we would highly recommend.
This trip was intended to be a week of kitesurfing for me, and I had even booked the kit at the Ion Club as recommended by Richard Mannings. However, the wind gods conspired against me, and we had six totally calm days to relax, sit on the beach and wander around the Medina with it's labyrinth of alleyways selling anything one could ever want, and be prepared to barter for!
There is a bustling fishing port in Essaouira which is well worth a dawn or sunset visit - but don't wear flip-flops and be prepared for the smell!
The curved beach is about 3km long, with the kite shops and bars at the 2km pointm and flanked at the southern end by the ruined watchtower Bordj El Berod looking across to the Phoenician ruins on the islet in the bay. At the kiting end, there is a distinct "odour de camel", with friendly touts offering camel, horse ands quad bike rides.
We headed south down the coast to the quiet beach of Sidi Kaouki for a day - where the water is definitely cleaner than at Essaouira, but typically a breeze got up so I demanded an early return - involving a hilarious taxi wait and bartering experience - and predicatbly less wind once back at the kite centre!
However, the undisputed highlight of the trip was a 3-hour guided quad bike with "Palma Quad".
A our last day was spent relaxing on the roof of the Riad, wandering the ramparts of the Medina, and enjoying another delicious dinner in one of the many little restaurants scattered throughoutn the town
Jess, Annie and I had a very relaxed week in Morocco. We flew to Marrakech (my flight research failed to find Essouira airport!!) and took a 2.5hr taxi to Essaouira. We stayed within the charming mid-eighteenth century fortress town (Medina) at a traditional Riad called "Maison du Sud" - which we would highly recommend.
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| Riad Maison du Sud was down this 'street', with our evening cafe on the left! |
This trip was intended to be a week of kitesurfing for me, and I had even booked the kit at the Ion Club as recommended by Richard Mannings. However, the wind gods conspired against me, and we had six totally calm days to relax, sit on the beach and wander around the Medina with it's labyrinth of alleyways selling anything one could ever want, and be prepared to barter for!
There is a bustling fishing port in Essaouira which is well worth a dawn or sunset visit - but don't wear flip-flops and be prepared for the smell!
The curved beach is about 3km long, with the kite shops and bars at the 2km pointm and flanked at the southern end by the ruined watchtower Bordj El Berod looking across to the Phoenician ruins on the islet in the bay. At the kiting end, there is a distinct "odour de camel", with friendly touts offering camel, horse ands quad bike rides.
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| Bordj El Berod |
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| Iles Purpuraires |
We headed south down the coast to the quiet beach of Sidi Kaouki for a day - where the water is definitely cleaner than at Essaouira, but typically a breeze got up so I demanded an early return - involving a hilarious taxi wait and bartering experience - and predicatbly less wind once back at the kite centre!
 |
| Sidi Kaouki |
However, the undisputed highlight of the trip was a 3-hour guided quad bike with "Palma Quad".
A our last day was spent relaxing on the roof of the Riad, wandering the ramparts of the Medina, and enjoying another delicious dinner in one of the many little restaurants scattered throughoutn the town
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| Couscous Royale |
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| Jess & Annie: sunset on the Medina wall |
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