October 19, 2023

Today we are headed off to Essaouira about 3 hours from Marrakesh.

Essaouira is a port city and resort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Its medina (old town) is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah, which were designed by European engineers. Old brass cannons line the walls, and there are ocean views. Strong “Alizée” trade winds make the city’s crescent beach popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Along the way we stopped at the Marjana Cooperative to see how argan oil, highly in demand for cosmetics and cooking, is extracted. Argan trees are an endemic species only found in the south west of Morocco and a mythical emblem of the Essaouira region. By hand the women grind the argan seeds to make the oil, slow hard work!!

As soon as we got off the bus a sea of traditional blue wooden fishing boats (known as feluccas) came into view. An active working port the boats go in and out at different times for the different types of fish. The birds were circling in hopes of getting a tasty snack creating a postcard worthy moment.

We headed to the seafront. Along the seafront are a series of commanding forts along with cannons built by the Portuguese, French, and Berbers during the different periods of occupation.

The old town’s peaceful and charming, centuries-old medina was way less crowded than the one Marrakesh and was fun to explore!!

After a full day of exploring we headed back to Marrakesh enjoying a beautiful sunset followed by a sand storm that is bringing with it rain for tomorrow.