Morocco... one word draws in the imagination pictures of the bazaars with stalls bursting with dates, nuts, spices, oranges...
First impression, I admit, was a slight disappointment. And not because the landscape itself is not - it is withered by sun and wind, and because, as the dirty bottles, paper and other debris. And it's not the hands of tourists. For example, Saturday and Sunday - a weekend in the country, so a lot of local come to the ocean these days, it is noticeable not only by their number, but by how much they leave behind garbage on the green lawns, where they spend their picnics! Not surprisingly, walking along the promenade of Agadir, you can find which are running across the sidewalk cockroach 5-6 cm I think in other cities the situation is not better, because Agadir is considered the best tourist city.
Agadir
The Agadir is a young city, because in 1960 was destroyed by earthquakes and then rebuilt. In any Moroccan city is the Medina, but at Agadir for the above reason, unfortunately, no. But Italian architect Polizzi at their own expense restored the Medina, and now it's kind of a Museum under the open sky. We didn't know exactly where it is, but I was looking at the pictures and knew I wanted to see it with my own eyes:) So when we arrived the taxi driver, we realized that outside of Agadir and around the vacant lot and dump. Well, well. Entrance fee: 40 dirams per 1 adult (280 rubles), while 20 per child. But if you are going to have lunch in the Medina, the entrance is free. This I also knew in advance...great:))) but I had to explain it at the entrance, why pay we don't have, and only then, nodding and smiling, we said "welcome". Oh, these Arabs. By the way, for lunch for two, we paid about 1,000 rubles, the price as the waterfront, and tajine with chicken and lemon were great! So I advise you to go to the Medina for lunch not just walking;) Medina certainly looks artificial, but retained its Moroccan style, and she is the many cobbled streets lined with shops and workshops, traders in them. A pleasant place for walks and photo shoots!
Most in Agadir I like the Marina district. Well, such a mini - southern France:) with restaurants, two-storey apartments, European shops, though very few of them... they are in Casablanca:) and of course it should be noted that the Marina offers stunning views of the Marina and the mountain Kasbah with the inscription "Allah". Homeland. King". I must say that mount, and hence the inscription can be seen from almost any place in Agadir, and after dark, the inscription glows! Looks impressive. By the way on the mountain you can climb. Top view of white Agadir, the harbour and the ocean are beautiful! Taxi drivers (all cars bright orange) lomyat prices, but do not forget that you are in Eastern country, so feel free to haggle.
Speaking about bargaining... fans of this action - on the Sunday Souk! Despite the name "Sunday", it works not only on Sundays, and all days of the week except Monday. Start with the fact that on every corner is a cart led by an Arab, who for 70-100 rubles when you make fresh orange juice. And the market has everything: fruits, vegetables, spices, sweets, ceramics, leather, wood, natural cosmetics (more on that below), clothes (either national or Frank China), kettles. Yes, the very famous Moroccan teapots! In fact, we, as the house knew kettle buy:) do not forget to bargain and do it safely. Because to cheat (and not be called otherwise) you will want each. In this sense, I have even left any residue, but the trading experience I have really is. But there are the Berbers, and there are Arabs, Berbers here, in my opinion, good-natured, with them much more pleasant and interesting dialogue.
The beach in Agadir is huge - 6 km of Golden sand and is considered the best on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Water is an invigorating, year-round, due to the cold current in the ocean. But in the second half of the day to bathe it is possible, because the sun is scorching hot;) Saw lots of surfers, conditions for water sports.
Legzira
Beach Legzira is located 120 km South of Agadir and is famed for its huge miraculous arches. Of course it feels amazing! Blue ocean, Golden sand and orange-red rocks... the Scale is impressive. Arches two and they fall directly in the water! Beauty!! The beach is wild, but here there are cafes and Quad rental. Underway near the building, apparently in the near future there will be a resort town.
I admit, the beach Legzira will not head My list of the best beaches, but will be included for sure!
On the way to Legzira we stopped at a freshwater reservoir in the old town of Tiznit, famous for its silver jewelry. Was at Medina - just like everywhere else:)
Marrakech
Marrakech - a city, after visiting I changed my attitude towards Morocco in General. Is the space! In General, my opinion is - was not in Marrakech, was not in Morocco! In Marrakech we went alone, bought a return ticket at the bus station in Agadir. The road passes through the pass of the Atlas mountains. For reviews chose the car company CTM: bus comfortable with air conditioning, driving nonstop straight to Marrakech about 3 hours, the roads here are great by the way, there are paid. By the way we looked at car rental, but seeing signs in Arabic and French, decided that not this time:) the Only drawback of the bus consider the fact that almost all the passengers are local, mostly women. Honestly, looking at the debris on the streets and how they clothes go in the ocean, then sit in the sand, the locals seem to me to be extremely sloppy. Speaking of their carelessness, every second car at least scraped or hit, phones have too many with broken screens. So maybe this is a minus for me, I disgust people.
From the bus station in Marrakech we head straight to the square JAMA El Fna square. Now, I realize that I can write a lot, and even photos you will see, but IT must feel:) Because it is not only the eyes will help you in this. It all starts with the chaotic motion of the taxi beige colour, carts with horses, motorcycles and Hiking people, and you are in the middle of this movement. The dominant sound is also impossible to allocate, as this cocophony from avtosignal, melodies,simulated in an incomprehensible local instrument, the drums, snatches of phrases in various languages (most of the tourists in Morocco is French and Spanish), it's just monotone singing local and shouting them: "come! come in!"... periodically cocophony covers the call of Azan. Well, not to say about the smell! This, of course, a mix:) first of all, oranges and spices, of dust, of incense when you walk through the streets of the Medina, and they diverge like rays from the square JAMA El Fna, it smells even skin and urine or something, I don't know what it is soaked before dressing, even the smell of coffee, again spices and herbs. Orange juice in the square is worth 27 rubles!!! This is the cheapest juice in my life! Understand how to Principe was drinking it during my stay in Morocco?:) Once in Medina surprised, what did not sell. In General, the atmosphere of these bazaars You here!
The evening music and other sounds are amplified, includes strings of lights, people on the square more and more organized "interest groups": the boxer, the taming of snakes, dancing, magic tricks...
the feeling that everything is happening now around you in the square JAMA El Fna square was a hundred years ago, two hundred, with the exception of riding a taxi makes the experience easy excitement! And a trip to Marrakech is worth it!!
Shopping
Maker!:) If you like, choose heavier because light is a gift and when used will begin to rust, even better ask the seller.
Of Souvenirs - a large selection of stone products and wood for example sandalwood, ceramics. You can even bring your own tagine! We were limited to spices for tajine:)
Not to bring spices from Morocco not! Here you will be offered the snuff mixture from the head pain and other pain, the Moroccan tea is a blend of 4 herbs, lipstick, mini-cap tagine, which must be wetted, and the color will appear, then the same with mascara...miracles:)
I chose argan oil and cream based on it. Artisans are known for silver jewelry, a selection of beautiful bracelets and earrings are good. A lot of leather goods - bags, wallets, jackets. And puffs of all colors and patterns, they are empty, so they can be easily rolled into the suitcase, and at home you will fill them with unnecessary stuff:)
This will add the famous grandma's Slippers. If the overall product doesn't scare you, here you will find a very beautiful and high quality carpets and fixtures. From edible sweets, nuts, figs, olives, melons, wine, honey, argan oil (I don't know who in Russia it cooks).
Moroccan cuisine
Well, finally, my favorite part of any trip! Food culture as such in Morocco no. The kitchen itself - it serves mostly seasoned with turmeric. The most famous dish in Morocco is tagine, which is different in content and is a pottery with a lid in the form of a cone, which turns out special technology of cooking tajine. Moroccans are so proud of their tajine that probably a third of all Souvenirs made in the form of Tagines can be based on chicken, lamb, veal, fish, shrimp + vegetables in particular can be and the potatoes and olives and lemon, and beans + olive oil + spices. All this is stewed for hours, so when it's time tajine food, even the meat just melts, mmm:) Tajine is always served with tortillas. I must say that the bread in Morocco was unreal! Another national dish is couscous, I can't say anything about it, because I do not like and have not tried. And finally - it's seafood! Atlantica rich in such fish as sea bass (its actually on the pier can be seen in the water), Dorado, tuna, shark, and shrimp, squid, lobster, lobsters and crabs! In Agadir we found a fish market where you can buy them fresh and ask to cook on the grill. So when we were in town, we went there to eat the lobster, squid, huge shrimp, Dorado and other fish, and at very affordable prices:)
Alcohol is not as strict as in other Arab countries. In shops it is sold to 8 PM. And in restaurants, a dry red you'll take in any time;) Despite the fact that the journey was interesting and memorable, don't know, let's go we are still in Morocco or not:) But recommend going only to those who are going for experiences and exoticism, and not for service.