Vacation to the Rif Mountains, Part III
Quaint seaside resort towns of Martil and Cabo Negro1 on the Mediterranean coast are just under half an hour from cloud-covered Tetouan. As with most tourist destinations, these seaside resorts offer someone like me, a high-society, cultural packrat (NOT!), exactly what I sought: comfort, convenience and relaxation. There are plenty of cafés and a couple of art galleries, but the pristine beaches are far more inviting.As much as I enjoyed my stay in Chaouen and my recent stay in seaside town of Al Hoceima, Martil and Cabo Negro felt far more relaxing.
I walked along the beach practically every morning and evening for the sunrises and sunsets. One one of my morning walks, I ran into a policeman patrolling the beach. Coincidentally, he said that he was from my site2 and had been stationed in Martil for the last eight months, with two more years before returning home. Peace Corps Volunteers in Morocco are officially assigned a local police officer to look into our safety, but I think this was just a coincidence that he was from my site. I keep telling myself that I have not been followed by the Moroccan secret police force since my arrival.
A cliché: Imagine sitting on the beach, listening to the calls of the sea and taking in the saline air.
Now, imagine sitting on the beach and listening to the call of a camel.
Yes, there is a ClubMed for those who in need of pampering. Unfortunately, I'm on a Peace Corps Volunteer income.
All quiet on the beach.
Boy fishing off a jetty.
Man preparing to troll for mollusks.
Beached fishing boats.
Discovered a secluded cove for fishing and swimming.
Fishing boats at sunset.
Next destination: cloud-covered Tetouan, the trading city that inspired the fictional planet Tatooine in the "Star Wars" universe.
1. Stayed in Martil, and walked along its beach to get to less-crowded Cabo Negro beach. I spent so much time walking up and down the beaches that I don't really distinguish between the two.
2. He gave me contact info for his family and that I should visit them for couscous on Friday.
tags: peace corps.africa.morocco
another point of view ...
AMAZING PICTURES! Thanks for sharing your Peace Corps experience, it must be tough to be in the Middle East right now.
This looks very relaxing. I hope to visit Morocco next summer, unfortunately I have to go during the high season and be a tourist. I just don't have the time off during the year (public school teacher).
speak up!
AMAZING PICTURES! Thanks for sharing your Peace Corps experience, it must be tough to be in the Middle East right now.
This looks very relaxing. I hope to visit Morocco next summer, unfortunately I have to go during the high season and be a tourist. I just don't have the time off during the year (public school teacher).
speak up!
previous 10 posts:
- Vacation to the Rif Mountains, Part II
- Vacation to the Rif Mountains, Part I
- Postcards For Everyone
- As Time Goes By
- Letter From Senator Barbara Boxer
- Weekly Fish Fry at the Souk
- In-Service Training
- Time to Hit the Beach!
- Room with a Sunset
- Unexpected Dinner Guest
