Agadir, Morocco (day 2)

Despite an early night, this morning we were still tired. But determined to begin exploring the area we ventured down to the restaurant for breakfast where a continental selection was laid out, complete with that all time favourite breakfast food, pizza! Not seen that before! We both thought today it would be a good idea to take a walk to the nearby Souk El Had, an indoor market of around 6,000 stalls. Five minutes into the half hour walk a man joined us. Of course his English was very good, and he talked all the time he walked with us, which unnerved us a little so we kept a discreet lookout at what was going on around us as we followed him to the Souk, where he of course led us straight to his friends spice stall! We'd been reeled in, as we thought we were probably going to be. Following advice on the internet we politely listened whilst we were talked through the benefits of the different spices. Thanking the stall holder for his time, we left empty handed.

From then on as we wandered through stalls selling furniture, argan oil, dates and nuts, sweets, toys, clothing, footwear, ceramics, cows heads and infact almost any item you might want to purchase, we were constantly approached by the stall holders asking us to look, try and buy. Most weren't pushy though, and we made sure we thanked them all as we passed by.

Around midday, out heads in a spin with the full attack on all our senses, we stopped for coffee and mint tea. Wanting to relax a little, Angela wanted to stretch her legs out, but daren't for fear of leaning back and dislodging the obvious hairpiece worn by the man sat behind her. We discussed what we would like to buy at the market and thought an item of ceramics might be nice. Even though it might not be produced locally, it would make a nice memento of our visit here. We particularly like the large round plates, but transportation home might be a problem. With only cabin baggage, measurements would need to be checked before we decided. Upon our arrival at the market we'd stopped at a food stall to look at a row of earthenware tangine cooking.

Deciding it would be nice to eat an authentic Moroccan dish for lunch we returned there and ordered one chicken and one vegetable. It was delicious, and with a side of bread and lentils cost only £5.60 for us both. 

Leaving the Souk we sidestepped two Gharrib's,  brightly dressed men who move through the crowds ringing bells and calling out, offering water from their filled goatskin bags and brass cups. Returning to our hotel mid afternoon we were well and truly pooped. Cheese, olives and crackers bought for a light meal tonight, we couldn't wait to dress in lighter cooler clothing and relax. Today our first proper day in Agadir had gone well. Tomorrow we will probably stay local again, but also book a couple of trips out further a field for later in the week. Our hotel manager has been persistent in insisting we book through him, but before we decide we will put our trust in good old Google!