Exploring Morocco's South Atlantic Coast

SAFI, OULIDIA, & SIDI BOUZID -- April 15, 2006

After spending a relaxing evening with Said, we became fast friends. I gave up my overnight bus ticket to Fes which I had purchased after returning to Essouira, and opted instead to spend the next few days traveling with my new friends up the Atlantic coast and on to Chefchaouen, a relaxed northern town set deep in the Rif mountains.

The following morning, we began our drive up the coast, passing beautiful scenery as we worked our way northward.

Highlights include:

*Stopping for kefta (barbecued lamb served with Moroccan bread) and fresh oranges from a small roadside stand en route

*Walking along the lookout above Safi's port, and nearly blowing away in the blustery breeze

*Watching as the color of the Atlantic changed before my eyes to a deep sapphire. The color was absolutely magnificent, and the rocky coastline looked like chocolate moon craters! Amazing! The waves crashed against the coast, spray flying through the air like an endless fountain, and the foam sizzled as it settled into the deep pockets in the rock that salt has, over time, eroded away. It reminded me of a bottle of soda shaken then opened. Then, as the foam settled, water trickled down through the craters to the sea below, forming miniature cascades as it ran into the sea.

*Pulling over in a farmer's pasture to snap a few photos of the rocky shoreline below. Walking between goats and cows and seeing the puzzled expression of the face of the farmer as we stepped out of our shiny black car to tiptoe through his pasture. We handed a few dirham to his young son as we scooted back into our seats -- that brought a smile to his face!

*Spending a little time in Oulidia (means in Arabic, "my parents"). A beautiful little beach town. As you wind downhill towards the shore, a calm lagoon appears. The water is tranquil and oh-so-blue. On the seaside of the lagoon, past a narrow strip of raod and boardwalk, a garden of chocolate moon craters stretches out towards the sea. Here the fishermen sit, with heavy rainjackets for some protection from the heaving waves, waiting patiently for their catch. Here, among plentiful varieties of fish, oysters are netted in -- the only place in Morocco to find them fresh.

*Enjoying a cold drink from the terrace of a snazzy cafe in Sidi Bouzid, where we stop for the night.

*After putting away a delicious tajine, taking a midnight walk along Sidi Bouzid's boardwalk. The sound of the waves crashing in the distance... I never tire of it!

~Melanie