Essaouira spices

Essaouira – If Only

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Oh! Essaouira!

If only we had known about you before.

If only we had known about your quaintness and your charming, colorful streets. Your gregarious residents, your delicious food, and the gorgeous riad that spread rose petals on our bath mat.

We probably would have made crazy Marrakech only a quick stop and bee-lined it to you. We could have had more time to gently haggle with vendors, stroll on your expansive beaches and watch your Atlantic coastline sunsets. I could have spent more afternoons on a rooftop patio, listening to the mellow activity go on in the small streets below while I wrote, wrote, wrote.

Because I was inspired, inspired, inspired.

Essaouira

 

At dusk

 

Water front

 

Spices

 

Street scene

 

Building

 

Bike

 

On our second last day in Morocco we spent the better part of the afternoon lazily strolling along the beach and somewhat dreading thinking about where we were off to next: New York City.

In the winter. NYC in the winter.

We finally left the beach because we were worried about getting sunburnt.

Beach

 

Did you hear that New York? We were worried about sunburns.

Please be good to us…

On beach

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46 Comments

  1. Fabulous pics! They made me feel like I was once again back in the incredible “Land of the Vowels” (Essaouira, I mean – 6 out of 9, surely must be some kind of record, no?)

    And yes, I too will take Essaouira over Marrakech any day!

  2. Looks beautiful! I’m really looking forward to your take on New York City though. Even if you have to take every picture from a window somewhere to keep warm. I’ll bet Pete can’t talk you into jumping into the ocean this time!

  3. Dang! Pete is getting AWESOME with those photos! If you ever ‘own’ a house again someday, how could you ever choose which photos to print and display? 🙂

    Not to say that we’re old, but do you think that because we’re older, we appreciate slowing down and soaking it all in more than we used to? I could totally relate to your “listening to the mellow activity”!

    1. I think the solution to that problem is just to never OWN a house again someday! 🙂 (Although, I do have to stake my claim and say that some of the pictures in this post are in fact mine!)

      I think I’ve always appreciated the slower, not sure how much it has to do with age. I mean, we grew up in a town of 100 residents (incl cats and dogs!), I think that’s very ingrained in me!

  4. This place looks AMAZING!

    I too, get SO frustrated when I stay in place that is just “okay,” only to move on a place that is well, “fantastic!”

    Maybe you could just apply loads of sunscreen while you’re in NYC. Sure, you might not need it, but perhaps your body might start to think that the UV rays in the winter are you know, kind of present.

    It’s all mind over matter, right??

    1. Haha, I suppose I could try that! Yesterday was quite warm, almost as warm as Morocco! I doubt this will last, but if it could just hold out for a few weeks…

  5. Is Essaouira in Morocco! Sometimes it feels as though it’s in a totally different country! Your great photos capture this feeling beautifully. I could easily return to Essaouira but have no desire to go back to Marrakesh.

    1. I’m really glad we experienced Marrakech as I think it is something everyone should do – but overall I was more impressed my Essaouira – it was more my “style” for sure!

  6. Ah, I fell in love with Essaouira too. I remember those old blue boats bouncing on the water. You are so right, it is worlds apart from Marrakesh and a much better experience. Looking forward to reading about your time in New York City!

    1. Thanks Cherina! We’ve been in NYC a couple of weeks already (we’re slow writers), and I can tell you, I have lots to write about. Loving our time here!

    1. Hey – nice to hear from you Genevieve! You are the expert on moving from paradise to chilly North America in winter. 🙂 I think we’ll be okay!

  7. I’ll be interested in your take on NYC, too. It’s been a blast for me, and the weather’s better now than in the summer. (Granted, I haven’t just left Paradise.)

    Hope to see you soon.

  8. Funny, as I was researching some of our dream destinations I came across Essaouira. I’m so glad to hear your first hand description of its charm- definitely our kind of place vs a big city. When we make it to Morocco, we’ll be sure to follow your advice and make a bee-line it there. Thanks for posting!

    1. Your welcome Mary. You really should experience Mararkech at least for a couple of days, but Essaouira was definitely more our style.

  9. I didn’t know anything about Essaouira but I like the idea of getting away from more touristy Marrakesh. Like you, I would have needed to be careful of sunburns as well 🙂

    1. Yes, I carry about 3 different kinds of sunscreen at all times, but totally forgot to even use it that day. I burn pretty easily.

  10. Oh, I feel bad now! I could have told you…Wonderful place…Sorry…(But perhaps you wouldn’t have listened to me anyway since I also love London 😉 )

    1. LOL, no need to apologize, we would have believed you (despite your love of, ahem, London 😉 It really was a wonderful little place.

  11. Such beautiful photos. How long did you get to stay here. I feel like I could just not get enough of this. I’ve dreamed about living in Morocco for years now. It is good to see that you didn’t have too much to worry about in NYC though. I’m glad you are really enjoying your travels.

    1. Hey Elise – we were only in Essaouira for 3 days, and 10 days in Morocco overall. It was so nice, I would have loved to stay in Essaouira longer!

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