Lazy Day Wanders in Essouira - Beach, Bees, and a City of Cats

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Essouira, a charming coastal city in southwestern Morocco. Essouira is a city with a rich history and many interesting stories to tell. Today, I will be wandering around the city and seeing where the wind takes me.

Waking up in this country, I found it to be a common occurrence that a cat would find its way into my bed. You don’t want to disturb the cuteness, so you spend a few extra lazy minutes under the covers. It didn’t matter if doors or windows were secured; these furry burglars would always find their way in.

I don’t mind the cats, and I find their soft purring to be a comforting start to the day.

Everywhere you go in Morocco, it would be wise to expect cats. If you are allergic to them, then you may want to consider bringing some medication with you, because they are literally everywhere.

I am convinced there are more cats in this country than people, and somehow they all seem very well taken care of, often relaxing the day away wherever they can.

The bakeries here have many delicious cakes to choose from, but good luck finding one that hasn’t first been tasted by one of the local pollinators.

I make my way out of the city, and I find these interesting trees just outside the city gates. It is a very unique tree, and I have a hard time figuring it out.

Instead of leaves, it has these tightly wound bristles, which kind of remind me of an evergreen or spruce tree that you would find in Northern Europe or America. I wonder if it is green all year round like those trees, as I couldn’t imagine these needles would change color and fall in the winter.

The needles/bristles (not sure what to call them) are oddly soothing to touch, and give an odd sensation, which reminds me of something I might have enjoyed as a curious child. I wonder how long these trees have been here, as they certainly help with the aesthetic of the outer wall area, but I would be surprised if they were here when this area needed to be protected by the military during uncertain historical times.

The nearby beach is beautiful, clean, and clear of any rocks. The smooth sand is a comforting change from the rocky coastline occupying the shoreline on the other side of the harbor.

The flat beach and packed down sand seem well suited for the landing of flat-bottom boats similar to those found in the harbor. Before the harbor was built, this beach was a vibrant hub of activity, with many traders loading and unloading cargo and bartering with local Berber tribes.

In the distance, you can see the island of Mogrador, which was once the name for this place during ancient times, when Phoenicians traded purple dye on these very shores. Now, Mogrador Island is closed off from people to protect local wildlife. In past excavations of the island, many ancient artifacts were found there from thousands of years ago.

The island of Mogrador, and its position protecting the bay, is a big part of why this area has always been used as a port. The island protects the bay from large Atlantic storms, making it a safe harbor for ships traveling through the coastal waters. The area is also known for a special kind of shell, which was used to make a highly valuable purple dye, often produced and traded by the local Berber tribes. This dye was highly sought after, often associated with royalty, particularly during the Roman era.

I think I have rambled on enough for one post. Join me in my next post, where I continue my wander around Essouira, encountering a variety of beautiful scenes and interesting characters along the way.

All photos were taken by me. Have a great day!