One cold, dark night in England’s bleak mid-winter (the worst time of year: when Christmas is over but two months of dark winter days still lie stretched ahead, like a once welcome guest that can’t quite take a hint), Nick and I decided to do what any rational person would do when faced with a similar prospect: escape to a hotter climate for some winter sun.
We did lots of research into the best places to visit that could guarantee us some much needed rest, relaxation and vitamin D and finally settled on Agadir in Morocco, where the internet assured us we would be almost guaranteed a week of long, sunny, pool-side days. The good news is, that’s exactly what we got… for a few hours before having to leave on the day we were supposed to fly home. The bad news is that for pretty much the whole rest of the time… it rained. A fact made only more frustrating by a tour guide excitedly informing us that this was the first time it had rained there in five years. The locals were thrilled. I was so happy for them… If you’ve tried and failed to purchase tomatoes or cucumbers in the proceeding weeks, you might come close to understanding my pain.
Despite the bad weather, it was still really nice to get away for the week and do nothing but read, relax, drink lots of free wine and gorge myself at the all-inclusive buffet. (It was the first all inclusive holiday I had ever been on and, Nick has since had to inform me, will have to be my last… Self-restraint? I don’t know her.) Nick and I both received some really big and exciting career news a few days before flying, so it was also very well timed for a celebratory break, if not for the weather.
Whilst I normally try to make my blog posts helpful to other people who might be looking to travel to the same place, I honestly don’t feel as though I can offer much advice on this location as we mostly just stayed in the resort. So, instead, I’m just going to share a roundup of some of my favourite memories we made whilst there.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
The hotel where we stayed had lots of stray cats who would convene around the dining areas scavenging for food. They were very cute and Nick, in particular, became very attached to them – sneaking them food off his plate whenever the staff weren’t looking. We even named a few that we became particularly attached to. Charlie, Archie and Garfield… we miss you already. Outside of the resort, there were also lots of stray dogs who liked to nap on the beach and accompany us on walks as though leading the way. They helped to fill the Mabel* shaped hole in our hearts whilst we were away.
Camels, Sunsets and Big Rocks
On the subject of animals, I saw my first real life camels! (Outside of a zoo.) Nick got this really cool picture of them on the beach outside the hotel on our second night there, after making us climb up a big rock to watch the sunset. It’s truly a testament to how very little we did whilst on holiday that the Big Rock is getting a mention – but Nick loved it as much as Donkey loved the boulder in Shrek.
What Else Can We Do?
With sunbathing out the window and only so many books you can read in one holiday, we decided to make the most of the hotel's sporting facilities with a game of mini golf. Let's just say I don’t think Tiger Woods has anything to worry about.
There was also an indoor pool with water as hot as a bath! It was very nice for the 0.2 seconds we got to use it without the accompaniment of screaming children or PDAing couples.
I Don’t Like Pina Coladas or Getting Caught in the Rain
Anyone who knows me will know that I am not the biggest fan of going on walks and that I’m quite happy to while away a day under the duvet with my head in a book. Anyone who knows Nick will know that there is little else in the world he loves more than a long walk and the mere idea of being cooped up in a room for longer than a few hours drives him to insanity.
And so sets the scene for how I reluctantly ended up traipsing after him on a two hour long walk to Taghzout and back in the pouring rain… both of us returning back to the room drenched to the bone with puddles in our shoes. Nick, to his credit, soon regretted the decision and now maintains that this was his worst part of the whole trip. For me, the relief of a hot cup of tea and a book in bed when we got back to the hotel almost made the whole walk worth it. Karma is my boyfriend.
Valentine’s Day
At our hotel, there was a Moroccan restaurant that guests were only allowed access to once per stay. Nick cleverly booked our night for Valentine’s Day. We got dressed up and they decorated the restaurant for the night. The food wasn’t great and we found ourselves pining for the downstairs buffet hall… but it was definitely a Valentine’s Day to remember!
Marinas, Mosques and Markets
Nick being the adventurous spirit that he is made sure to book us on to at least one excursion so that we could see a little bit more of Agadir whilst we were there – and I’m really glad that we did it. Our tour took us to Agadir Marina, where we rode their brand-new cable cars up to the old Kasbah of Agadir. From there, we went to visit a mosque during the call to prayer before being driven to a cooperative where I stocked up on some argan oil direct from the place where it originates for myself and both of our mums. Finally, we were taken to the Souk El Had market, which is one of the biggest markets in Morocco and where I bought myself a cute little bowl as a souvenir. We bought the bowl from the only market stall we stumbled across with fixed pricing as I am an introvert and Nick is… let’s just say not renowned for his haggling skills.
It was a long day, but I am very glad that we did it as it's always nice to experience some of the culture of the place you're visiting.
The Holiday Manicure
Whilst this isn’t technically something we did on holiday, I couldn’t write a blog post about our time in Morocco without sharing a picture of the manicure my amazingly talented nail artist gave me for the occasion! I am obsessed with these nails and will be very sad when they grow out.
If you’re planning your own trip to Agadir and are still reading in the hopes that I might still impart some last-minute little pearls of wisdom or pieces of advice, then here it is… Try to go when it’s hot!
* For readers who may not know, Mabel is our dog. The best little good girl in the world.
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