Morocco - Agadir to Sidi Kaouki. Part 2

I just realized I have been spelling it Argon Oil and it is Argan Oil (Argon is a chemical element)! Sorry. 

We turned off the road, just before Sidi Kaouki on to a very rough, bumpy track

past tethered horses, that we would see later on the beach,

to a lovely homestead

full of flowers

and colour 

and animals

and birds and 4 sisters who ran this home based business.

First we were invited to take off our shoes and settle, on the floor, around low tables

to drink the traditional mint tea and 

eat bread with honey, nut butter or argan oil.

After that relaxing welcome we moved into a room with a long table where we would make two Tagines, one chicken and one vegetable.

Our instructor outlined the ingredients; various spices, fruit and olives

that would go in with vegetables in one Tagine and chicken in the other.

We were all assigned peeling and chopping

and mixing

and stacking until everything was prepared, a little hot water added, lid went on

and they were put to cook over coals from the fire. For and hour and a half.

We took a break, admiring the pottery

and the decor

and the general relaxed feel of the place (this is Leo)

Next we were to make bread; flour, fine semolina, water, yeast and sugar

Our instructor kneaded it into a smooth dough

and we each had a piece to form into a flat circle.

After the bread had rested

we each cooked a piece, in a dry pottery pan over the open fire.

Another

period

of relaxation and

our lunch was ready.

It was the best meal we have had this trip, flavourful and fresh!

I even tried some of the chicken (cooked with raisins and prunes)

Water with, tea and cookies after.

This was my favorite experience so far. The location was lovely, the instructor was fluent and personable, the food was excellent and it was all conducted in a relaxed manner.

5 minutes down the road and we were in Sidi Kaouki and at our Dar. (A Riad is a wealthy home and a Dar is more simple)

We didn't all fit in the one Dar so Nic, Dave, Joe and I went down an alley way to another one. We had the house to ourselves, with a swimming pool and from the others reports, we got the best deal.

Almost immediately we headed out to see this village. Camels and horses at one end (to ride on the beach)

A second floor terrace table, for drinks and the sunset.

Alcohol is not available everywhere but it is sporadically avialable

The others moved on to the next bar down the beach

but I went back

to my accomodation

went for a swim

had a shower and

hit the sack.

Morocco - Agadir to Sidi Kaouki. Part 1.

 

Breakfast and then back in the van to leave Agadir. Abdellah told us that the large number of Moroccan flags on display are in preparation for the celebration, on November 6, of the Green March.

Date: November 6–10, 1975 (with complete civilian withdrawal ordered by November 18). [1]
Participants: Approximately 350,000 unarmed Moroccan volunteers—including men, women, and youth—who gathered in Tarfaya before crossing into the territory. [1, 2, 3]
Purpose: To force Spain to relinquish control of the Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) and demonstrate national sovereignty over the southern provinces. [1, 2]
Symbols: Participants carried Moroccan flags, the Quran, and portraits of King Hassan II. The color green was chosen to symbolise Islam and peace. [1, 2]
Outcome: The peaceful advance led directly to the signing of the Madrid Accords on November 14, 1975, where Spain agreed to evacuate the territory. from the AI summary.






Out past the large port which ships the local produce to Europe and imports gas/oil. Lots of cargo and container ships anchored out waiting.

Along the coast there were rocky outcrops and long sandy beaches. Camper vans parked were they could. Popular with surfers and northern European snowbirds.

A valley full of Banana Palms.

Our first stop of the day

was at these sand dunes.

Not easy walking in the soft sand

neither sandals or shoes were the right choice.

A camel saddle and there were small bags of sand that we think would be used to anchor a tent.

Caught up with the rest of the group who had already started the activity - sand boarding.

Some had done it standing up and some sitting down (I was one of the latter).

So was Pam.

Tim was quite determined

to master it.

Camel rides were another activity available at this location.

Next was a brief stop at an Argon Oil Cooperative.

We learned how the nuts were

harvested, 

cracked open

and ground to make the oil for cooking and cosmetics. We then had the opportunity to buy some of the products.

We asked if the cats were for pest control

and were told "no, they are our friends" and shown the big bag of cat food.

The van pulled over for us to take pictures of goats in Argon trees.

There's not much grazing here but the goats love to climb and eat the Argon trees.

Hours later they spit out the nuts.

Long enough post, I will save the rest of the days activities for the next one. It was a busy and very enjoyable day.