Morning Trek and Trip to Essaouira
Trip Start
Dec 26, 2005
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188
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Trip End
Jan 25, 2009
Essaouira, Morocco
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The trek was made increasingly difficult by the sand storm rolling down the hillside. Nevertheless, all of this trekking is helping me with my Inca preparation. It was also made difficult by the donkeys, thin trails and loads of tourists. It was stunning scenery and this in itself made the trek up the hill worth it. I was feeling very tired this morning. I found the trekking hard work.
After the walk, we returned to Armed to pack up our things and walked yet another hour or so back to Imlil at the base of the mountain. It was hot today... well over the 40 degree mark.
We left the valleys of the magical High Atlas Mountains and headed westwards for about 4 hours towards the windswept Atlantic coast and Essaouira. The word Essaouira means image. The beauty of Essaouira lies in its blue-shuttered houses, art galleries, wood workshops, fisherman and coloured boats all enclosed by ancient walls. My first impressions of Essaouira were very refreshing - definitely a charming, laid back artist's colony with cobblestone streets and massive stone ramparts along the Atlantic Ocean.
Our accommodation for the night is at Hotel Cap Sim on Rue Ibn Richid. A very simple hotel but nice reception and chill out area. Also in a very good location. For dinner the group went to a fish stall and had a delcious concoction of fish on the bone and very dry octopus. I won't repeat what Maria referred to these as on travelpod but use your imagination!!!!! The Sofitel chain of hotels look excellent for future returns to Morocco. Staying in traditional Riads are also a very good option for an upmarket holiday.
