My name is Marion Vermazen. I am a traveler, hiker, reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, YouTuber, Spanish and French language student, knitter, weaver and genealogist.
The Villa Quieta Hotel where we stayed in Essaouira was a beautiful hotel with excellent service. After breakfast this morning we explored a bit and played some cards in the lounge.
Then we drove slowly up the coast to the industrial port city of Safi. Along the way we stopped to enjoy the view.
In Safi we are staying at the Valley Boutique Hotel. Our rooms overlook old pottery kilns in a ravine.
Today was the the longest driving day we will have during our time in Morocco. We drove a total of 190 miles. It took us 6 hours.
We had a lovely breakfast by the pool at Prestige du Souss before we left. Then I went up on the roof to check out the view. I also got a picture of us and our hosts as we were saying goodbye.
Our route was west to the Atlantic coast and then pretty much north to the coastal town of Essaouira.
As we were driving up the coast we saw a lot of police checkpoints. They always waved us through, until at one checkpoint out in the country, and inland a bit, they waved us over. In Impeccable English the uniformed police officer asked Duke for our papers and then asked Duke to get out of the car. We all heard Duke say, Not me!! I didn’t!! And then he was getting back in the car and we were on our way. They had accused him of passing a blue car illegally a ways back. When he was adamant that he had done nothing wrong they decided not to push it. We all breathed a sigh of relief and we were on our way. Unfortunately I got no pictures. I suppose it wouldn’t have been a good idea to ask the policeman to pose with Duke.
After arriving in Essaouira we went for a walk along the beach. Duke and Roger went off with an old guy who offered to show them the fishing boats. They learned all about the fishing fleet.
We had a great fish dinner at a restaurant on the beech. You can tell we are back in a more touristy area because there was beer on the menu.
Today was a rest day.
After breakfast we had tea and played cards in the garden.
Next we went for a walk in the village.
Then Duke decided to get a haircut.
While Duke and Roger were in the barber shop Gayle and I sat under a tree in the square.
First a wonderful 16 year old student stopped to talk. Her English was perfect! She said she was waiting for the school bus to take her home Her name is Ibtissam.
Lots of young kids were walking by us. There was lots of giggling and a few shy waves and bonjours. Then a group of boys came over to talk to us and suggested a picture.
Duke’s haircut took a long time but finally he was done. It looks good although it’s the shortest I have ever seen his hair.
We had another great dinner.
Today we continued driving south and a bit west to the town of Oulad Berhil. The distance was only 72 miles but it took us 4 hours. We went through the High Atlas Mountains. The scenery was stunning, the road was narrow and windy and we went over an almost 7000 foot pass.
The place we are staying, Prestige du Souss, is a beautiful restored old house with a relaxing, peaceful garden. They have a book with pictures of what it looked like before they restored the house.
We played cards, relaxed and then had a great meal. The owners primarily speak French so Roger and I got to practice a bit of our French.
This morning after breakfast Duke and I walked to the post office on the other side of the central plaza. It was early enough that the stalls were still being set up. We bought stamps and mailed some postcards.
Back at our hotel we ordered a taxi. One of the people from the hotel led us on a 15 minute walk through the labyrinth to where the taxi was waiting for us.
The taxi took us to the rental car office where we picked up our rental car and headed south out of Marrakesh.
We drove 40 miles and almost two hours south into the foothills of the Atlas Mountain, to a wonderful resort, Domaine de la Roseraie in the town of Ouirgane. After our welcome snack outside our rooms we went for a walk.
After our walk we sat in the bar overlooking the pool and played cards. I thought maybe as a birthday present I would let Duke win at cards. But I couldn’t do it!
We had our best dinner so far at the hotel restaurant. We are out in the country so it may be the only restaurant around. When we told the maitre d’ that it was Duke’s birthday he taught us happy birthday in Berber and Arabic.
This is the view as I finalize this blog post.
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