To The Ocean!

Our day began with an early breakfast, as we were headed to Essaouira, a small city on the Atlantic Coast of Morocco. After an enjoyable meal of pain au chocolat, yogurt, granola, fruit, juice and tea, we had a quick meeting to ensure we were all set for our day in Essaouira. We quickly packed our bags and hit the road, trying to make the most of our day.

We boarded a minibus which drove us out of Marrakech and onto the western side of Morocco. It was amazing to see how the busy city streets started to disappear, being replaced by farmland and beautiful views of the rolling landscape. Midway through our drive, we stopped at an Argan co-op. Argan is a nut that grows on a tree in only three areas of Morocco, the only place where argan is found in the world. With this specifically localized plant being native to Morocco, it is one of the biggest exports of the country. It is renowned for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes.

We learned about argan cultivation and the process of how it is harvested, roasted, deshelled and ground into a paste. From there, it is turned into both food and cosmetic products. After the lesson, we were given time to buy the many items on display at the co-op. I personally bought a perfume and two face creams for myself and my family.

After this incredible visit, we continued our trek to Essaouira. We had a quick pitstop near the edge of the city for a few photos and some scenic views, which is where we encountered a number of camels. With their owners offering tours and an opportunity for photos. We enjoyed seeing them, but continued on our way to the city center.

Our first stop was the boardwalk and a glimpse at the Moroccan Atlantic Ocean. Many people were already enjoying the beach and the waterfront, while we enjoyed the cooler ocean temperatures and the playful energy. We continued our walk from the boardwalk to our lunch spot, where we had a selection of pizzas and pastas. Following lunch, we began our walking tour of the old Essaouira Medina.

The pace here was slower and less packed than the streets of Marrakech, paired with the cooler temperatures, it made the tour very enjoyable. Essaouira is the oldest port city in Morocco, where the ships would trade and set off for Europe throughout the past few hundred years. The Medina was located close to the Kasbah (Old Fort) and traditional fishing port, which we got to visit. The diversity of the fresh catch of the day being sold and displayed, with the sound of the crashing waves on the old walls of the Kasbah, truly transported us into a place we had not yet been in Morocco.

We finished our walking tour by landing in the market located in the center of Essaouira. We then broke into small groups and were given some time to put our bargaining skills to the test. We explored many shops, each of us buying souvenirs and things of interest that had caught our eye from our previous days in Morocco. I spent much of my time buying clothes and jewelry.

As the shopping came to a close, we enjoyed a delicious ice cream and started our return trip to Marrakech. As we got back to the city, we enjoyed dinner as usual, closing off the day with a reflection and then headed back to our rooms for some much-needed rest to set ourselves up for tomorrow, our last full day in Morocco.