Blogs from Agadir, Souss-Massa-Draâ, Morocco, Africa

We stay around the hotel for most of the time we are in Agadir. On the first morning we strike out and walk about 20 minutes to find some shops for some bits and pieces. Not the most scenic walk but it gives us some exercise. One day we are supposed to visit the Souss Massa nature reserve to see the birds in and around the wetlands, but we decide the sybaritic pleasures of doing nothing outweigh the attraction of trekking on foot in the heat. The idle option, but it is a holiday. One day we decide to make the effort to see Agadir so we summon the driver and guide. Agadir was levelled in an earthquake in 1960 and completely rebuilt. It is a dump, no other word for it. Large areas are now ... read more

I wouldn’t be having the full tourist experience in Morocco if I didn’t ride a camel, I thought. Up at the top of the mountain where the original city of Agadir was located before a massive earthquake levelled it in 1960, there were young Berber men offering camel rides to visitors. Not the authentic riding-through-the-bleached-sand-dunes-of-the-desert kind of camel ride; but the short-walk-down-the-asphalt-road-and-then-back-up-again kind of camel ride. Tourist camel ride extraordinaire. No complaints though. Believe me, I felt the history when that camel stood up. Being near to that huge animal with big, blue eyes and then perched up high upon his back - and I mean, wa-a-a-ay up high on his back - felt sensational! I immediately imagined what it would be like to travel extreme distances in this way. It’s not a smooth ride, but ... read more

Dnes ma caka presun na letisko al massiravzdialene neakych 10km od mesta. Na bus stanici ctm kupujem listok na 10/30 bus smer predmestie agadiru, inezgane. Ranajky si davam v blizkom obchodiku, opat rodinny podnik, otec predava a syn miesto skoly robi poskoka. Po jedle uz len cakanie na bus, najskor prichadza jeden, ten nie je moj, potom dalsi, nosic batoziny hovori,ze ani toto neni moj ale predavac listkov vravi opak. V buse len 4 ludia, batozina opat hore, pri predaji listka mi chcel nanutit aj batozinu dole ale opat som povedal carovne slovicko petit (maly) a bolo to. Inak batoh uz mam fakt maly, som kopu veci vyhodil : cca 4 pary ponoziek, 2 dlhe tricka, topanky a jedny trenky (nie neboli osrane) Za mestom opat pauza na odpocivadle, tu prichadzaju dva busy plne vojakov ale ... read more

Strangely, I feel like I had a late night last night, even though in reality, I didn't! I was up and about at about 7.45. I made a coffee, then took it back to my bedroom. I heard Ella stirring at about 8.15; she is going in to work for an hour or so this morning, just to help get the group, organised for their breakfast, and first day surfing. Chakib and I get an hours snooze time. We have instruction from Ella. Chakib will walk with me to buy my ticket to return to Essouira, the bus doesn't go all the way to the airport, so I can get off the bus, take lunch, then get a taxi to the airport. I already know the difference of the taxis! From Essouira, the red Peugeot said ... read more

Today I realised, that sickly feeling that I thought were nerves, before going to Chakib's Mums house, was not nerves! I did think it was strange, as it's not a usual reaction for me. My stomach was churning. I now realise that was the beginning of an upset stomach! Not realising that's what it was, I ate everything at dinner. I had enjoyed the meal, but when I got home, I wasn't well! My stomach wasn't feeling good! I tossed and turned throughout the night. I felt really sick. It wasn't until the next morning, Omg, I was so sick! But once it was all up, I did feel a bit better! Ella and Chakib went out surfing, I stayed in bed. I am having a water only day today. I didn't leave the house for ... read more