On our excursion to Essaouira, we took a tourist bus. Our tickets were bought from the same travel agency. The bus was nice, air-conditioned and the seats were soft enough. I don’t want to think that I will survive the long journey in a public transportation without air-conditioning.
The drive from Marrakech to Essaouira took approximately 2 hours. Both cities are connected by a straight highway and nothing else.
The views were nice though, I really enjoyed it.
We also stopped by a women’s cooperative selling Argan oil. We also saw the production of the oil using traditional methods. The oil is used primarily for cosmetic purposes, as well as for cooking.
Argan oil comes from the endangered Argan Tree that can only be found in Morocco. The tree is currently under protection from extinction by UNESCO.
I think it’s a good idea that the production of Argan Oil are regulated and that it’s mostly the women are running the show, at least at the floor level. It helps women, especially the older ones to keep a job and at the same time help preserve Moroccan culture because the Argan Oil is only found in Morocco.
The women’s Argan Oil cooperative was a nice stop-over on our way to Essaouira. It was educational and cultural, as well as it gave us the opportunity to use have a drink and use the restrooms =)
And here is Essaouira!
Travel Period: April 2009
Destination: Essaouira (South Atlantic Coast), Morocco
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)