October 12, 2019
El Marsa for LAAYOUNE, Western Sahara
Arrive: 8:00 AM
Sunrise: 7:50 AM
Temp. 84F
Laayoune, Western Sahara lies in a sparsely populated area of desert on the
northwest coast of Africa.
northwest coast of Africa.
A former Spanish colony established in the 1930's it was annexed by Morocco in 1975.
Since then it has been the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between
Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi people.
After decades of upheaval, peace has returned to the city with UN Peacekeeping
Forces situated there. Now the city is cleaner, commerce is expanding, and
restaurants, street cafes, financial institutions, souvenir and handicraft shops are
tailored to take care of everyone's needs, and tourism is growing.
On the road to Laayoune -
By 8:30 AM, following clearance procedure for the ship, a forty-five minute drive
by bus took us from the port along the desert roads and through dunes to the city.
by bus took us from the port along the desert roads and through dunes to the city.
First stop was the Animal Market, quite impressive, with a blend of old and new
buildings and outdoor pens full of camels, goats and sheep, all looked well cared for thankfully!
After driving past the huge salmon pink Grand Mosque - no entry to
non-Muslims - we stopped at the Parador Hotel for refreshments.
I absolutely loved the tiled courtyard and spent most of my time walking
about taking photos of the ground!
non-Muslims - we stopped at the Parador Hotel for refreshments.
I absolutely loved the tiled courtyard and spent most of my time walking
about taking photos of the ground!
'Spanish Town' with Rounded Houses.
Our group, Paula, Bob, Rob and Kim enjoying ice cream late afternoon on
the Lido Deck prior to the 'sail away' for Dakhla, Western Sahara that evening. . . . .
. . . . . . a distance of 275 nautical miles.
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