Fez To Fez

ESSAOUIRA

Essaouira is built along the Atlantic coast some five hours drive south of Rabat. This seaside town is famous for its rows of blue fishing boats and the fruits of the sea that are harvested each day. It was here that Jimi Hendrix was rumored to have spent time in the sixties. 

In the 15th century the Portuguese established a trading and military hub here and named it Mogador. The sea facing ramparts built to defend the city are of European design contrasting the Islamic style architecture of the inner walls.

We met our friend Jonathan at the Suprabus stop in Essaouira and spent most of the afternoon wandering around this fascinating town. Once again, we were struck by the kindness and warmth of the people that we met along the way.















We started out in the medina which was colorful, relaxed, and as usual, impossible to navigate. We had a long lunch of local fresh seafood before setting off for the wide and windy beach. High winds in the area make the fishermen’s travails a daunting task but offer some of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing for more adventurous tourists. Horse and camel rides are eagerly peddled along the beach.

We were joined on the beach by a group of musicians who gave us a private concert of folk-inspired gnawa music.

We then drove in to the port of Essaouira where fishermen untied and mended their nets, repaired older boats, unloaded and prepared the wide varieties of fish, and sent them on their way to feed many a hungry soul. All this taking place in the shadow of the medieval fortress ramparts. Seagulls oversaw the proceedings and swooped down to feed on the leftover remnants of fish guts. 

We had a cup of mint tea together before dropping Jonathan off near his riad and returning home via a vegetable tagine at a local restaurant.