Lagoons, Floating Villages and Giant Fish!

I did promise that the voyage became more exciting. Well, the next few days passed in a blur, with each  day blending into the next, as afternoon naps muddled everyones sleeping patterns perfectly. We sunbathed in the shade of the sail, lazily moving to make another drink or dip our feet over the side to feel the gentle splash as we cut through the waves. 

We visited places that are only accessible to the bravest of adventures, prepared to travel far and wide to the remotest of locations. On a fishing village we stopped to fill up on supplies and wonder around the floating houses, only swaying slightly on our sea-legs. I did my best to absorb the sights, sounds and fishy smells of the floating island as children ran barefoot along the creak floorboards and caged birds sang overhead. A local lady was frying up a feast in the baking mid-day sun whilst another savvy salesmen did his best to ply us with Thai gnome hats. 

On our voyage we occasionally spotted a passing boat in the distance, sometime a friendly fisherman selling the freshest of giant prawns. On another occasion we spotted a group of jellyfish farmers who were expertly scooping up giant jellies from the sea with one clean swish of their nets. 

All this time at sea finally paid off as we (well, our trusty skipper) made a giant catch! Truly the biggest fish I have ever seen, Ali reeled it expertly in and bopped it quickly on the head. A and the boys sliced up the fishy and popped him safely away for frying up on the BBQ later that evening. That is, after they had taken a few photos. 

I am pleased to say we became well adjusted to island life as we adopted swimmers as our main form of clothing, let our hair go unbrushed and enjoyed the sun kissed heat in our skin. 

We also became very accustomed to our daily swim in a hidden lagoon one day, a deserted white beach with sand soft as powder and a small monkey-filled beach the next. Some days we were contented to just drop anchor and dive straight into the see-through water, our skin wrinkling as we spend hours snorkelling and finding Nemo. 

Truly a wonderful few days aboard the wonderful Jimmy-Blue, with many more surprises to come! 

Mood - at peace 

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Morocco - Part 8 Essaouira

The final leg of the road trip took us up and over the final mountain pass, through the sprawling suburbs of Marrakech and on the wonderful seaside town of Essaouira. Coming over the coastal ridge after several hours of hot and dusty driving made the first glimpse of the pure turquoise sea even more exciting, a little like being a child ahead and seeing the first little snapshot of the beach ahead. Ending our travels at Essaouira was the best decision we ever made, the whole town is geared up for relaxing, last minute shopping and soaking up the incredible beauty of north Africa's coast.

We stayed at the Dar Maya the most incredible boutique hotel with a wonderfully friendly owner and two cheeky little puppies. The Dar Maya has only been open for several months and so remains a hidden gem in the back streets of town and it just happens to have a spectacular roof top terrace and pool with views of the ocean. 

Marrakech is known as the red city and to me Essaouira should be known as the blue town, because what could be more fitting for a seaside town other then brightly painted windows, walls and doors in the happiest shade of cobalt blue! I may have gotten a little carried away taking pictures of pretty little alleys and wonderfully wide heavy doors. 

We spent a blissful couple of days wandering the narrow maze of streets, doing some last minute shopping (much cheaper than Marrakech), eating some deliciously fresh fish and guarding the ramparts checking for pirates. The strong stone walls of the Medina form ramparts looking out over the wonderfully dramatic crashing waves and are even dotted with some good old-fashionned cannons. 

Essaouira is very much an up and coming trendy town, Jimmy Hendrix used to come and party and I can completely understand why! Just a quick stroll down to the port and you can find stand after stand of fresh fish stalls, complete with friendly fisherman who will fry you up a lobster. The boats line up displaying their wares and make a perfect photo opportunity. In my opinion Essaouira represents the perfect blend of old Morocco with a modern buzz. 

Leaving such a pretty place was very tricky and I had to tear myself away form the gorgeous sunsets and the cute little kitties from the shop opposite the hotel. 

I will be back, everyone should visit Morocco, such a cool place, with a new surprise around every corner! 

Mood- Next stop, Singapore! 

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