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The 4 hr drive down to Essaouria from Marrakech was through county that went from seemingly barren and rocky fields to acres of olives, grapes, wheat and melons. The contrast was amazing.
The Moroccan oil, Agran, is a speciality and is used in cooking and when scented, for cosmetics and medicinal purposes. More on this in a few days. One of the additives is eucalyptus oil and it was surprising to see plantations of gum trees.
Essaouria is a layback beachside town on the Atlantic coast and is subjected to winds most of the day and night. Yesterday they were up to 40knots, enough to keep the flies away. Even the sea gulls seemed to be having trouble.
Our last day in Essaouira and being Sunday, there was considerably less people around so we spent the day exploring the souks and alleyways. Morocco had a reasonably large Jewish population that had coexisted with their Muslim neighbours, at least until the 1967 “6 day war” when Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. Many Jewish people left the country at that time but relations have since been rebuilt and it was interesting for us to visit a couple of Synagogues, one of which was the oldest in Morocco, and the other, a beautifully restored albeit small one, opened by the King of Morocco. This one has an opened Torah and Koran side by side in the entrance vestibule, to signify mutual respect.
More walking, and dinner in a fisherman’s cafe in the port area. Barbecued sardines, salad, bread and mint tea. The food was delicious and only $A18 for both of us. To say it was “interesting” would be an understatement. Cats under the tables and on the bench seats, and sea gulls on the walls. With only a bottle of sanitizer, and no paper serviettes, it was a microbiologists nightmare. Another 12 hours will tell just how well we coped with the hygiene. I think it wise to keep the Imodium close by.
All being well, tomorrow we are off to Ouirgane in the High Atlas Mountains. The weather tomorrow is forecasted to be 32C.
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Chris Coles Loving your blog Jean and Richard Good luck with the gastro but keep having a great time !!!