Essauoira,
Morocco is the land of contrast! Today we made our way from the harbor city of Safi, surrounded by heavy phosphate plants, and continued south along the Atlantic coast. The destination for the day was Mogador, or nowadays called Essaouira.
Mogador was established by the seafaring Portuguese as they made the way along the African coast already during Henry the Navigator, in the 15th Century. Later it became an important fortress for different kingdoms in Morocco. As we walked along the walls of the fort we could count several old Spanish bronze guns, mostly from late 18th Century.
Mogador was also established during the famous epoch of the East India trade known as the stronghold for sea pirates. Sail ships, recently departed from southern Spain and heading for China, and carrying cargoes of silver usually from Seville or Cadiz, were always a prosperous target for these pirates.
The last strong influence you experience in the old town is the French. The town is situated at the northern edge, of the cold up welling waters, off the coast of North Africa. As we could experience during our walk along the narrow streets, we always had a very cool breeze coming in from the Ocean. This of course was an attractive place the shelter for the French during the hot summers in the interior of Morocco.
As we arrived we made a short walk into the very busy fishing port. It is always interesting to look for the local catch. The waters off the southern Morocco are very rich. This again is closely tied to the up welling of nutrient-rich water. Later during lunch we received a variety of the best seafood these waters could offer.
For any one interested in birds a visit to Essaouira in late September is a highlight. The little island outside the port, houses one of the larger colonies of Eleonora’s Falcon. We could see 100's of birds soaring over the island. The bird was named after queen Eleonora who ruled Sardinia in the 14th Century.
Back onboard it was time to pack and later join the farewell party. Lots of new good friends who we are sure will soon be back onboard.
Morocco is the land of contrast! Today we made our way from the harbor city of Safi, surrounded by heavy phosphate plants, and continued south along the Atlantic coast. The destination for the day was Mogador, or nowadays called Essaouira.
Mogador was established by the seafaring Portuguese as they made the way along the African coast already during Henry the Navigator, in the 15th Century. Later it became an important fortress for different kingdoms in Morocco. As we walked along the walls of the fort we could count several old Spanish bronze guns, mostly from late 18th Century.
Mogador was also established during the famous epoch of the East India trade known as the stronghold for sea pirates. Sail ships, recently departed from southern Spain and heading for China, and carrying cargoes of silver usually from Seville or Cadiz, were always a prosperous target for these pirates.
The last strong influence you experience in the old town is the French. The town is situated at the northern edge, of the cold up welling waters, off the coast of North Africa. As we could experience during our walk along the narrow streets, we always had a very cool breeze coming in from the Ocean. This of course was an attractive place the shelter for the French during the hot summers in the interior of Morocco.
As we arrived we made a short walk into the very busy fishing port. It is always interesting to look for the local catch. The waters off the southern Morocco are very rich. This again is closely tied to the up welling of nutrient-rich water. Later during lunch we received a variety of the best seafood these waters could offer.
For any one interested in birds a visit to Essaouira in late September is a highlight. The little island outside the port, houses one of the larger colonies of Eleonora’s Falcon. We could see 100's of birds soaring over the island. The bird was named after queen Eleonora who ruled Sardinia in the 14th Century.
Back onboard it was time to pack and later join the farewell party. Lots of new good friends who we are sure will soon be back onboard.
