Of Boats and Fishes
Dusk descends in the port town of Essaouira, seen here through the annular port of an ancient citadel.
Peering through the circular porthole in this Atlantic coast city, you will see the wheels of history roll in front of you. On the fort terrace, there are old brass cannons that line the walls, with some great panoramic views of the ocean, so much so that it's landscape photographer's dream. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll be able to see in the crescent beach many popular activities, such as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Yes, this place could be great for family vacations as well as for adventures.
After the intensity of Marrakech, a few hours’ drive to Essaouira to the north will be sure to help you unwind. It is blue, laid back, and there are no grand things to see or do. Once upon a time, this was Morocco’s largest port, but in the modern day, bigger ships can’t approach the relatively shallow waters of the harbor, which has contributed to the loss of shipping status for this town.
One of the highlights of Essaouira is bound to be the blue boats of the harbor. However, my advice would be to save your photographic sojourn until late afternoon, if possible, in order to catch the fantastic sunlight descending on the blueness of the harbor during this time. An additional plus is that during this time the harbor comes to life with activity and if nothing else, people watching could be a worthwhile pastime to be engaged in.
And if you’re still weary of the few street sellers trying to pressure you into buying things you don’t need, go ahead and get atop the citadel above. Not only would it give you a great view, you can continue to appreciate the hubbub of the bazaars below from the safety of your nest.
