Essaouira, a port on the Atlantic coast of Morocco

Enroute to Essaouira we stopped of at a women's organ oil co-operative.The organ tree grows only in this area of Morocco and the trees are an important resource providing wood for building and fuel. The nuts have a casing which the goats eat and the hard nut inside passes through the goats indigestion system intact.

Then it is collected from the poo and taken to the local village co-operative.

The shell is cracked open.

The nut is then crashed and made into a paste for further refining.

Part of the tasting table and below some of the products.

The oil is used in cooking, for cosmetics, medicinal uses and soap and allegedly cures all sorts of indigestion and skin problems.

Then further along the road was a sight that is quite common in the area. Goats will climb the organ trees to eat the fruit. It is a comical sight to see a herd of goats in a tree.

Some of the organ products in a local shop.

Then it was a tour of Essaouira, one f the bastions. It was a port and village for centuries but it was only enclosed by a wall in the late 18th century when the city of Agadir further south rebelled against the sultan who needed a strong local base from which he could counter the rebellion and surprise it.

ne of the towers on the city walls.

The Bab Marrakesh or Marrakesh Gate.

The triumph arch in the centre of the city.

The port is an important fishing port and there are plenty of fish restaurants. The fish are displayed on iced stalls and you point at the fish that you want to eat. There is a good selection but it is best to go early so you have a wide choice.

 A view of the protected harbour.

 A view of the outer harbour with more fishing boats.

 The gate way and bartizans that protect the city and the inner walled harbour.

 A view along some of the walls facing the sea.

 The ramparts with wide sloping ramps to allow cannon to be dragged up the the sea facing walls to fire at attacking ships as they approach the harbour.

 And the love affair with doors continued.