0234. Finally, Al Hoceima... (Mor 082--new)
It was a pleasant hike along the highway to Al Hoceima--a beautiful, white city built on one of the most rugged coastlands in Morocco--not the vast sandy beaches of Agadir or Essaouira... It's more about the view...
Quite frankly, though, I find it more exciting to swim along a tiny little beach squeezed between two fearsome cliffs than on a beach of wide open, endless sand...
Fortunately, this is the "off season" so the beaches are empty and the hotels are cheap. I soon find a decent room not too far from the beach, get settled in, and head off to explore the town...
Great town--beautiful plazas... one at the top of a cliff overlooking the sea far below... a couple of very well maintained walkways right along the ridge... friendly people.
Next morning I head down for my swim... explore the market... climb up the winding streets to the very, very top of city with a great 240 degree view of the city and surrounding mountains...
...Then I take some time to revel in all the memories I've created over these last 3 months exploring 63 cities and towns all over Morocco... the songs I sang... the people I met... the surprises I encountered around every bend...
There's something very special about being able to explore one country in depth like this. True, I enjoyed my lightning tours of South America and Eastern Europe... but to experience 63 towns in one country--that's a memory to be cherished...
And, looking at the map, I've still got a lot more ground to cover here...
