Thursday, 26 October 2017

OCTOBER 2017 : MOROCCO : TIJZHA, HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS - ESSAOUIRA : DAY 12


Another day on the road from the highest point in Morocco to Essaouira on the coast.
Heartfelt thanks to Mohamed and Aziz for a fascinating insight into village life.


Mules were loaded early


A pleasant return walk to Amniter.


Our carriage awaits


Twenty minutes away we stopped to learn about the (now abandoned) Telouet kasbah, home of a tyrannical governor until the 1950s.


Market day. Many families out to buy provisions on foot.


The highest mountain pass in Morocco, about 2260m, Tizi’n Tichka Pass.


Lunch time school break


Lunch at a petrol station, which was not only an excellent restaurant but it had a prayer room in use at the time.


Tasty goat tagine


Wednesday cattle market delivery en route


We passed through the large, attractive city of Marrakech 


We travelled on a dry plain for an hour and a half. Argan trees, native to this area, bordered the highway.


Never one to miss an opportunity, the tour then took us to a very stylish establishment to see how Argan nuts are processed.


It is a women’s co-operative. Women smash the nuts from the hard shell.


The almond-shaped nuts are ground until the oil is removed


Large outlet


Some were more keen than others




Fifteen minutes later and we were at the coast


The beautiful former Portuguese colony of Essaouira.


Porters at the ready to take our bags into the old Medina centre where we are staying.



Through the old city wall


Our hotel, Riad Al Madina.


The beautiful internal courtyard








Our room is on the rooftop terrace


Stunning views


Our room with ensuite


Dinner on another rooftop. We are so lucky that summer is lingering longer than usual so we can enjoy the delights of outdoor dining.



Essaouira’s seafood specialty - grilled sardines.


M&M

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