Agadir, Morocco (day 7)

For some reason our alarm didn't sound this morning. Tired from walking over 21,000 steps yesterday, we'd slept heavily. So we hastily washed and dressed and took ourselves down to what would be our last breakfast here. Our taxi for the airport is booked for 7am tomorrow, and breakfast doesn't start until eight, so we snaffled a couple of clementines and bananas from the buffet for substance in the morning.

Keen to enjoy are last full day here, we set off to the Souk. On our first day we visited this market as 'green as grass'. But today after spending a few days in Agadir we returned confident and a little more savvy.

John was keen to buy a traditional Djellab, and we also wanted to purchase a large shallow bowl to place in the centre of our dining table. After purchases were made, happy we'd paid a fair price after some bartering, we returned to the little cafe by one of the entrances, where we were greeted warmly by the staff who remembered us from last Saturday.

After much hand shaking and fist bumping, followed by much hand sanitizing we sat down to enjoy chicken tanjine, bread, beans and lentils. All for a total cost of £6.40. And we have to say of all the tanjine meals we've eaten this week, this was the best. By mid afternoon we were ready to walk back to the hotel and sit by the pool.

But it soon became apparent that we would be driven back to the confines of our own balcony, as a large group of French people played loud music and sang loudly. By the time we left, they'd managed to drive everyone else away except for one Irish lady, who was not happy and we think would probably have something to say. Rucksacks packed, heavier and straining a little than when we'd arrived, we hoped all would be well when we checked in at the airport tomorrow.

One last walk out this evening to watch the sunset from the beach before an early night. This last week had passed by so quickly. Our experience of being here in a new land has given us the opportunity to see everything in our lives differently. We leave with renewed enthusiasm for the future.

Agadir, Morocco (day 6)

Before going home we wanted to walk along the beach, visit the marina, and return to the souk. With the temperature set to rise to 75c by lunchtime, our warmest day yet, we decided today would be beach and marina day. The sun was warm from mid morning and as we walked the shore the temperature rose.

The rolling waves of the Atlantic bowled onto the beach, the retreating waters smoothing the sand as it was sucked back into the surf. Sellers were everywhere. Would we like sunglasses, amethyst, watches and jewellery, footballs or kites? As always we were polite when declining and thanked each and everyone of them for showing us their wares.

The marina was smart. A world away from the humble abodes a few miles away. We stopped for coffee, the price just £4.00 for us both. The area was immaculate, what a shame it wasn't like this elsewhere. A new Hilton hotel was in mid construction, we felt we were in a totally different country.

The walk to the marina had been long, but wanting to return to the restaurant we'd eaten at on Sunday we set off on a thirty minute hike to an area up behind the beach, passing along the way four young men entertaining the diners along the promenade with their acrobatics.

Their performance really impressed us, and we were happy to drop money into the little hat they held out. It was almost mid afternoon when we sat down to lunch.

Not sure of portion size we ordered two chicken cous cous and a beef and date tajine. Mistake. One cous cous dish would have been enough. We didn't expected the chicken to be accompanied by so much veg! Somehow we took on the challenge, and ate quite a lot. Tomorrow will sadly be our last full day here in Agadir. Whilst sitting at the marina we discussed returning to Morocco with Marge at the end of the summer, subject to her having a clean bill of health. We thrive on the thought of having an adventure here, but Marge is key to it all going well.The people here have made us feel so welcome and we'd really like to see more of this wonderful country.

Arriving back at our hotel we were introduced to the hotel tortoises 

Agadir, Morocco (day 5)

Early to bed, early to rise once again. Our pick up from the hotel was scheduled for nine o'clock. Nine came and went. By nine-thirty we decided to contact the tour agent by phone, but to no avail. So we asked the receptionist at the hotel to help us. Her English was not good, so we gave up. Fortunately the doorman overheard and took over, speaking to the company we'd booked our tour through. Apparently, the vehicle picking us up had broken down. Had it really,? If so why no text message telling us this. We were assured a vehicle was now on its way to collect us. Just after ten a taxi arrived, but the driver was looking for a person with a different surname to ours, but for our destination, which was the Sous Massa Safari Park, north of Sidi Ifni, with lunch at a local restaurant afterwards. After some communication by phone it seemed the taxi was here for us. Thus ensued a slow journey along a road that was not always suitable for the taxi. Eventually we arrived. Our tour guide awaited us, along with an Irish couple who'd been waiting for an hour for us to arrive. We could sense the trip advisor rating dropping. The truth was, the driver had forgotten, or not been told to collect us. We weren't sure which. But hey we were here now. Let's go see some animals. The Safari park Angela knew had been talked up on the internet. But the chance to see Flamingos,  Ostrich, Oryx, Gazelles and Adax including a newborn was something she thought would be nice. And it was.

The Irish couple were good company and our driver was friendly, informative and drove safely.

And lunch was good as well. You guessed it, chicken tanjine. Driving out from the hotel these last two days has given us an insight to the area. People are friendly and courteous. Smart hotels and apartments sit alongside humble dwellings. The unchanging landscape of sand and yet more sand whilst travelling is a little monotonous, but passing through villages and witnessing the day to day living of the people is interesting. Eating out is cheap, and of course the weather much nicer than England, even though the early mornings are fresh and we have to wait until late morning for the sun to warm us. Then the temperature is between 67c and 70c. Something we find hard on the eye is the amount of rubbish everywhere. Especially glass and plastic bottles. These are strewn everywhere, piled high at the base of trees in some areas. There is no evidence of refuge collection and certainly no recycling. Rubbish seems to be disposed of by burning it out in the open. But we feel safe and happy to be here experiencing a whole new culture. In fact we have felt comfortable here since the day after we arrived. It's was just a case of getting used to the people and our surroundings and the workings of the country. Angela is cautious by nature, fearful and worried about things that might never happen. Visiting Morocco has opened her eyes a little, albeit not yet cured her. Hopefully time will take care of that. 

Agadir, Morocco (day 4)

Up before the sun, we were down for breakfast at seven thirty. The dining room was in darkness. It appears that breakfast now begins at eight. Shame nobody bothered to amend the details on the hotel website. So at eight we returned, hastily ate and drank to be ready for our pick up at eight thirty. Message from driver, pick-up now eight forty. We were exhausted before even leaving the building. Our driver liked to be called Simba, yes, after the lion king. Already in his slightly battered Mitsubishi 4 x 4 were an Indian family. Mum and three daughters. As we set off on our journey into the unknown we all chatted with ease. First stop, the river where at least twenty other similar vehicles joined us.

The day continued. Stopping and starting at various random destinations.

A silversmiths, honey/argan oil shop, viewpoints, by a beach with troglodytes dwellings where fisherman lived, and of course a stop in the Sahara desert.

Not a great big expanse of the Sahara, but an area known as Little Sahara.

Awaiting us were camels to ride, traditional heads scarfs to buy and a photo opportunity with reptiles. Not for Angela. After a while though, she thought why not. Not like her at all. Eighty pence well spent. Time had passed by quickly, and we moved across to the village opposite for lunch. Yet more chicken tangine, cous cous and mint tea. Then a stop at a nearby dam followed, where the water level could be seen to be much lower than it should. There has been no rain in the region for six years. The water supply for all the hotels in Agadir is sourced from the sea. Desalinated first of course. The day had been a strange one. But enjoyable. We'd met lots of nice people from other countries. Seen more of the real Morocco, including some campsites. Now know the Moroccans are crazy drivers who are happy to take your life in their hands. But the day though belonged to our Indian ladies seven year old daughter. At lunch we talked of our plans over the next ten years and the fact there is still so much world to see before perhaps our health dictated otherwise. The little girl said she thought we looked O.K. to her, and she didn't think we were going to die yet. Good to know. Could we have that in writing please!