Essaouira: the anchorage of the Moroccan coast

The drive to Essaouira was an easy one and the road was in good condition. To be honest, we didn't expect it to be as good, so it was a welcomed surprise. TomTom was working perfectly as well, allowing us to enjoy the ride instead of arguing on whether or not we were driving in the right direction.

There was very little traffic, and the most common "vehicles" on the road were donkey- or horse-driven carriages along the road.

When passing one of the towns, we saw a crowd cheering some event. It turned out there was some derby going on and separate groups of guys on horses dressed in national clothes were taking turns in pretending to be the cavalry getting ready to attack.

Later on, the sun started to set and the landscape around us became quite dramatic, but still very beautiful.

By the time we got to Essaouira, found the place to park and got to the Riad we were staying overnight (it turned out that the Riad was inside the medina walls, where no cars are allowed), it was almost dark and we, unfortunately missed the sunset, that I was hoping to see.

The medina was similar to the one we saw in Marrakesh, but surrounded by the thick fortress walls and with even more narrow  stone laid alleys that formed elaborately complicated maze. The shops were everywhere - the explosion of color and the diversity of crafts available was quite impressive.

The air was filled with the smells of the sea and the fresh fish being prepared in numerous little cafes and restaurants all over the old city. We were both very hungry, but despite of having those numerous options, it took us a while to find a place, because most of them were empty for no obvious reasons. In the end, the restaurant we managed to choose had no fish on the menu and we had to settle for the choice of tajines. This time it was the other way around, as Dima liked it, but me - not so much.

The next day we started by going to the fish market. Along the sea the locals were already fully busy with day-to-day things.

Even before the market place, the fisherman who already returned with their morning catch were cleaning up the fish just there on the walls. 

The seagulls were trying to  steal the fish or the bits of it and it was really funny to see this one toying with the catch. 

The town's not very sizable harbor starts just outside the fortress walls.

At the market we saw some really weird looking fish.

After the market we walked back to the old town. 

The walk on top of the city walls was very nice, and offered some great views of the town and of the sea.

Essaouira is great place to just wonder around the streets and it really feels like you traveled back to the middle ages.
Before leaving for Casablanca, we made one final stroll in the old town.

When putting together the itinerary, I had some doubts whether or not to stop in Essaouira, and I was glad we did. It's a really great fortress town and absolutely worth stopping at.

Next: Casablanca - "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"