One day we hired a grand taxi and driver and went to Essaouira for the day. About 180 kms/2.5 hours (because of the roads) from Marrakech and we were out by the Atlantic Ocean. There were lots of stalls with tables and benches to sit on, and great displays of wriggling fish. You select what live seafood you fancied and off they went to cook it for you. You can’t get fresher than that!

The town itself is full of tourists on day trips from Marrakech mostly, but it was quite beautiful if not a little run-down. If you imagine most of the Mediterranean type towns in Greece, Essaouira comes close, although it is not as well maintained really all that’s missing is a few licks of blue and white paint. The souks contained similar goods as those in the city, along with a much larger range of ‘artisan’ products, paintings, designed furniture along with many different carvings of the Argan tree (this is the same tree that goats climb to feed off the nuts).

The beach was large, but not terribly impressive, perhaps the summertime brings about clearer water, and some larger waves – we’ll have to go back to see. Lots of young men were playing football on the beach with no shoes (ouch!) whilst the tide was out.

We passed through several towns on the way there and back along with camels and great views of essentially red dust and desert. Quite special. Our driver was chatty, and full of information on his country and his driving in the daylight was fine.

When it got dark it was another story. I spent the last hour with my head down, and my hands covering my eyes, as we sped past the traffic in ambulance chasing mode….

The first beer after we arrived home was magic!