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!

Agadir, Morocco

 

Back in December we vacated our warm comfy bed at 3 am on a cold winters morning in order to catch a 6.30 am flight to Krakow, Poland. Whilst the trip was fantastic, the early start was not for us, and we vowed never again. So why on Friday morning did we find ourselves doing it all again you may ask?

This time our flight was to Agadir, Morocco. We'd talked of driving here in Muddy Marge, (who we can report after a check-up appears to be in better shape than we thought), but felt a visit now, when the temperature is a bearable 25c would be a good idea to get the feel off the country. Unlike Europe, where we feel totally comfortable, Morocco is completely different. As soon as our Ryanair flight touched down uncomfortably, causing shrieks from some in the cabin, we were launched into a cacophony of organized chaos. Three planes arrived simultaneously therefore the queue through passport control and customs was long and slow. As we were spat out alongside other bewildered passengers into the dazzling Moroccan sunlight we were greeted by hundreds of drivers holding name cards. We knew 'Hampton' was unlikely to be among them. Angela had read on good old trip advisor that if we booked our ongoing transport to our hotel when booking this trip it would cost us fifty pounds. She, daughter of Sid, also read that a taxi would cost around twenty pounds. It was a no brainer. Now just to find a taxi available in all the commotion that surrounded us. Within a minute or so we were sorted and headed away from the smart airport buildings and palm tree lined dual carriageways where we were soon part of the 'real' Agadir. Dirty, dusty, and impoverished. At the roadside people scavenged amongst piles of rubbish, and others sat with vacant eyes staring at the constant stream of traffic. Had we made a wise choice coming here? Of course. Our hotel was well away from this area, near to the beach in a newly smart developed area purpose built for tourism. Once settled in, we were glad though that we'd witnessed the lives of some of the local people. It wouldn't have seemed right not to.

Our hotel room is spacious with a large bedroom seating area and large bathroom.We have views to the sea between some of the other hotels. Angela paid ten pounds to upgrade us to this larger room, it was money well spent. After a short walk out to buy water and crisps, necessary survival substance after a long day of travelling, we rested a while before walking to the Asian restaurant attached to the hotel where we treated ourselves to three dishes to share and wine for Angela!

When we left the restaurant the sun had slipped below the horizon. Stomachs full but tired, we were in bed before nine. We'd survived our first day. And Angela was happy. Despite the local people speaking Arabic, and some English, they also speak French. She'd somehow managed to book our taxi driver to collect us from the hotel next Friday at 7 am to return us to the airport. Fingers crossed. There'll be no stopping her now!

Dartmouth (day 5)

After a refreshing break we have to set off home again, breaking the journey at Charmouth for a walk down the beach looking for fossils and Sea glass.

Dartmouth (day 4)

Rain stopped we visited Salcombe, parking at South Beach where we stayed the night a couple of years ago in Marge. We then walked into the town for a look around, and a delicious pasty!

Dartmouth (day 3)

It rained ferociously, so we spent the day in our Airbnb chilling out reading.

Dartmouth (day 2)

 As no rain today we visited Blackpool Sands and Start Bay. 

Dartmouth

 We are on a 5 day break to escape Poole. 

Poole

Our last day in Krakow, and we felt a little sad to be leaving. We could easily have found enough to occupy ourselves for another couple of days. Krakow you've been great! But we need to return home, as we only have one day to wash all our clothes and pack up before setting off on our Christmas travels. Fortunately we didn't have to vacate our hotel room until noon.

Which meant we could take a slow walk to the railway station where Angela discovered we could buy senior tickets for both of us at just £2.50 each.

Not bad for a twenty five minute train journey to the airport. Signage and information boards at the station were very good. But just to be sure Angela asked a Polish couple with suitcases if we were on the right platform. When we boarded the plane later, the couple were sat across the aisle from us. Krakow airport was busy. It was a little difficult to negotiate our way around, but somehow we found ourselves at security. Then the fun started. Water bottles to empty and in John's case an issue with the belt on his trousers, which the security man didn't believe was sewed in his trousers, and pulled so hard at he almost pulled John onto the conveyor belt. After a tense moment he let him through, still wearing trousers!

By the time we boarded our Ryanair flight it was almost dark. Nearly everyone onboard was Polish, with just a handful of Brits. Flying in the dark is not much fun, as obviously there's nothing to see. It makes the journey time seem longer. About an hour from Bournemouth a ruckus broke out behind us. A man was hitting his wife. Obviously a couple of men piled in to help. One of the cabin crew took control of the situation and the man who kicked off was taken to the front of the plane. As he passed by it was obvious he'd been drinking alcohol. Then an announcement from the pilot that our landing at Bournemouth would be a little uncomfortable due to a strong crosswind. The Polish started to hold hands with each other. Angela felt a tad nervous. We hit the ground hard and it seemed like the plane wasn't going to slow down, but it did. The Poles burst into a round of applause!

So we are home now. Missing Krakow already. Returning to normal is no fun. And what's less fun is a rogue tissue amongst the washing in the machine. Don't you just hate that?