Day 35 Essaouira and my Moroccan moment

The bay is so shallow that the wter seems to hover on the sand,,,,

..and is so flat it mirrors the sky

Like I said....

The lone horse...

Ive grown a beard for all who may of forgot what I look like

 The beach is all mine. My view from where I lay with nobdoy around. Was going back there today but it started to rain..ha preparing for my return

 A random lone cyclist coming from nowhere and going somewhere

 One fo the biggest myths of this place is Hendrix wrote the song Castles ,ade of sand uupon seeing this ruined fort in the sea. Nice story but that song was written in 1967 before he visited in 1969....

I've never been to a place like this before. Today was

exceptional, as I had my Morocan Mystical Moment.

I walked maybe 4km down the beach past a cluster of rocks, where upon
closer inspection you realise is an old fort that has succumbed to the
sea. I went to a patch of sand free of any footprints and to a point
where there were only people in the fare distance, voices drowned out
by the gental rhythem of the waves crashing far out on the reef.

As I lay there I noticed the lighthouse out the island, maybe 0.5km
off shore, engulfed by fog. I continued to sunbath, stretched on the
sand, then I noticed the whole island had disappered! 'How curious' I
thought.

Upon thinking 'what happens next' I was face to face with this wall of
fog that started to seap onto the sand and flow around me untill I
couldn't even see the old fort. 'I wonder what this means'!? I'd
better follow suit and head back. I pick up my things and head back.
During the walk back the fog got heavier and before I knew it, the sea
had blended into the fog and you could only see maybe 25m all around
and the occasional shilouet. This is a dream!! Had I been slipped some
drugs? This only happens in films and fantasies!

My walk continued for 30 mins and for the whole time I was alone, in
this ethereal, fog engulfed landscape. Then all of a sudden 3 camels
appear from nowhere, led by a nomad. This can't be happening, I though
as they glided by. Alone again. Vvvoooommm, a motorbike suddenly
appears from the thick fog in front, and upon seeing the shock on my
face, acknowledges me, waves, and changes course then disapears,
sucked back into the fog behind me.

As I try and comprehend this I turn to my side, then to my back,
then back in front, twisting around, frolicking in the sea...then a
halo of rainbow appears in front, cushioned by the fog, formed from
the strong sun shinning through the moisture from behind. I guess
Essaouria is at the end of the rainbow!

The waves break so far put that there's about 30m of very shallow
water, mirror still, slowly creeping forward, pausing, then drifting
back. Mmmm let's stand in this.. How surreal to be in the water, where
the sky merges exactly with the colour of the sea. I was in a Gaudi
painting....

After spending what felt like hours in this dream like space, I slowly
caught glimps of the surf school, then the cafes, then the locals
playing football completely oblivious, for what to them is a daily
occurence, but for me, my Moroccan moment....

 You can sort of make out the Halo

I do also have the photo of the canals apearing from nowhere (for those of you thinking I was embellishing the truth ;-) but apparantly i have used my free 1GB allowence so will have to buy more space to upload

The town looking from the Harbour

Day 34 Essaouira - Bliss from the chaos of Marrakesh. I LOVE THIS PLACE

The order has got messed up again as I uploaded twice; and cant be botheed to arrange pics: Start halfway down and itll make sence:

Anyway kite surfing is massive here due to the constant trade winds blowing offshore: My new sport is going to be kite surfing...maybe another excuse to go abroad

The previous guys Id lmet in Fez had actually made their own kites so had a look at this guys to see if its feasible. Maybe rent our Eype village hall over winter and get sowing::haha

The beach is truly amazing. I spend my days being a beach bum and loving the walks up and down the beach sunbathing. Haver been told Britain is its usual S^#t self so getting as much suin as possible

Their are also sand dunes at the far end. Will do these today; but you can also get camal rides::good for photos if nothing else

 Looking out over the terrace. Aesy to see why its a UNESCO site

 This is lookinhg towards he beach from this 5 star riad. managed to blag my way to the roof top for these amazing views

 like I said 5 stars...my place is nice but nothing like this 50quid a night here

 the streets in the medina are full of color

 this workshop produces amazing joinery. look at the detail of this cabinet if possible

 Within the Medina

Kite surfing. This place is on the map for it

THIS IS WHERE THE BLOG WAS SUPPOSED TO STAT FROM

This is still Marrakesh: This photo is of the The Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century  taken from our roof terrace

Again taken from the roof terrace. Great time and place for a mint tea

 I loved the decor of my room

 Finally on the bus to Essaouira. Inbetween is nothing more than arid land with the odd village dotted about; and the ocassional nomad

 Okay first night in Essaouira; and straight to the fish stalls sourrounding the harbour. The choice is amazing as is the price. I got the 50DH 4quid menu of a range of shell fish. red snapper and bream i think

 2 nice German girls who invied me to their tablme seeing I was on my own. They just paid 150DH for one fish so felt good about my price

 Later that evening I ended up at this multi cultural festival for free trying to get Muslin and Jews to coorporate:::a great treat of amazing music. It is however w very tolerant place where Christians; Jews and Muslims all get along

The next day and the photo I should of taken the night before...A fish lovers paradise

 Shark and Electric El anyone ....Hate these foreign keyboards::cant get any of the symbols to work

 fish fish fish...those prawn looking things I had the night before

 This is part of the old harbour looking toward the Medina

A guy in heated debate trying to sell his swordfish

Not sure how they all get out and wouldnt want to be parked near the wall...

 Quiz....How many people are in this photo

 One for you Dad. Youd love it here as the French had it from 1919 till 1958 I think...sometimes I forget Im in morroco. The cafe culture is pesent. Its also a UNESCO heritag site due to the influences of the portuges and french on this town. It still maintains its unique identity however; and is a thriving port town town. Active in boat making; fishing; water sports; woodwork; especially as a unique ^pine only grow here due to its pollution free atmosphere:::Personal riads are going for 150;000 quid if anyopnes interested::ha

 coming through...

 there it is

 Alsdo the beach is absolutly massive. and football the favourite passtime of all under 30s

 I wanted to try and get that scooner in the back in a photo; action shot with sea:. Its one of the best beaches I have seen

looking back towards the Medina...you can see why it was on the hippy trail with the beatles and Hendix all embracing it...could stay here forever...

Day 31 Last day in Marrekesh

I know it bad , but it does look cool just hanging out

 One of the openair souks

we had tea from tis guy and it was this aazing fusion of cineo, nutmeg and a loa of other spices

 Our terrace at te hostel: Its a great place for 8 quid a night....calm

 a part of te city wall from the alomavid reign 1200s

Marrakes train ststion..getting back to architecture of course..ahem

 cool little shelters o the platform efectuvly shadding the seats ha

 Back to the souk

The sweet nan and every type uner the sun

This was causing much hysteria amougst the locals..A man taking his sheep out for a walk

Classic scene. I later found out that for the next 12 days they slaughter lambs so i think he was trying to sell it

 one of te palaces. Tis one is from the 1890s

The stucco work is fabulous

 view from the hostel terrace of the montains, of whic lisa has climbed the highest peek in Morroco

 The 2nd palace from the 1500s

and great sunset over the mosque from the hostel terrace

Tomorrow I head for the seaside resort of Essouria which I cant wait for. Some ti,e out of the cities and by the sea. My bus leaves to,orrow at 10.30am. Its a 3hr bus ride...roll on.

Oh and I bought my return flight for next wednesday the 3rd..reality looms...ha