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Good day — October 3rd, Second Day in Morocco
Today, our second day in Morocco, we started with a walk to pick up some engine oil for the vehicle. It’s always good to check that everything is running smoothly, and so far, our journey from the Netherlands has been going quite well. While walking, I noticed there’s still a lot of cleanup needed in Morocco, especially with plastic bottles scattered about, although some areas are well-maintained.
Heading to Essaouira
The goal today was to reach Essaouira. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I had heard good vibes about it. We followed the main road to stay on schedule, as we need to be at the south end of Western Sahara on time to comply with export license plate regulations. The ride to Essaouira was fairly smooth, and we paid some minimal tolls along the way, which were worth it to save time.
Meeting Morris
In Essaouira, we had a contact to meet — Morris, an Englishman connected through Nathan and Medea. He has been teaching in international schools around the world and was enjoying Morocco for a few months. We arrived in time to meet him, which was great.
Finding a hotel
Finding a place to stay was a bit tricky since it was a Friday night and there was a music festival in town. Many hotels were full. After several attempts, we were lucky to find a traditional hotel next to the old town walls — Hotel Kasbah. It was very reasonably priced at about 500 dirham per night (~$50/€40) and even included breakfast.
Exploring the old town
Having Morris as a guide, someone familiar with the city, made a big difference. We explored the old town, enjoyed dinner, and caught up on stories about Medea and Nathan. Essaouira has an ambience that Marrakech, full of tourists, can’t match. The old town’s charm and atmosphere made for a fantastic experience.
Reflections on the day
It was a great day with a successful meeting, a comfortable stay, and time to enjoy Essaouira. If you ever get the chance to visit Morocco, I highly recommend spending time in Essaouira. Thanks for coming along — things should get even more exciting as we continue further down through Africa.
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