Author: marionvermazen

Today was pretty much the last day of our Moroccon Road trip. We drove up the coast from Safi to Casablanca.

Casablanca is a big city. (Over 3 million people.) It is certainly the most cosmopolitan city we have been to in Morocco. The drive to our hotel was a bit stressful because of all the traffic and the crazy drivers. But we made it and we are settled in the Art Palace Suites and spa. Each room has a different theme.

We went out for a walk after we got here and then had a great dinner at a nearby French restaurant Le Kimmy’Z.

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 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.