121123 Morocco Day 14 Friday, Seabirds Agadir

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121110-121124 South Morocco and WestSahara

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121123 Morocco Day 14 Friday, Seabirds

Woke up early and went out for a stroll in the hotel garden,  parks and the beach before going back to pack and have breakfast. I tried to find one of the birds we have not seen but didn´t see it.

 I like the breakfast at this hotel. Really great. The bags will stay in a luggage room over the day. We were a bit late as our second party, a man from Scotland, was waiting at the wrong hotel. But finally we embarked at the harbour. The boat was rather small and had seen better days. Probably a luxuary yaht in it days of glory. Going to the loo was not fun.




When we left the harbour we saw a Peregrine Falcon (pilgrimsfalk) snatch a Sandwitch Tern (Kentsk tärna). Funny thing is that severel of us was preparing to take a shot of the tern and did not see the falcon coming. A great experience indeed.

But  after that there was not much more. I think it was rather empty of birds but Anders seemed rather pleased. Or he pretended to in order to cheer us up.

I was confused about the haze over land until I realized it was sand in the air.

We saw the Cory´s Shearwater (gulnäbbad lira) and Red Phalarope (brednäbbad simsnäppa). There were lots of food served omboard so we were certainly not hungry when we came back to the harbour around 15.00h.

There was food for the birds also but with the lack of birds most of it was left when we turned back. We throw it out to the terns and gulls. That was the fun thing of the day if you ask me.

At one point I was rather pissed. I was just seated at the table when the Red Phalarope came into view. Like everybody else I wanted to see it and to take shots. But I was locked at the table with people on both sides and could not get out. And People standing right in the sight path not moving aside despite I begged them to move sideways and even though they was able to do it they did not. I got one shot below somebodys armpit. From the back of course.  :(

We went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and then started the journey to Marrakesh . We took the highway this time to shorten the trip. It still took several hours. We arrived at Gueliz Hotel about 19.00h. M is very dirty and dusty and I felt it as soon as we arrived. Not a great feeling at all. My lungs would not like to live there.

Birdlist at 20.00 and then dinner. A bufé again. Tired and slept with the computer in my knee again.

Tomorrow at 9.30 we go to the market and around town. Back to the hotel for a quick shower before we go the airport.

The morning view from my hotelroom in Agadir 121123

 

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day 14, 121123 Friday, Seabirds by boat then transport to Marrachech

day 14, 121123 Friday, night in Marrakech

Gueliz Hotel, Avenue Hassan II, Marrakech, Tel 05 24 42 52 00

see day 1

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** Links: Gueliz Hotel Tamri, Cap Rhir images Agadir Oasis Hotel Oued Massa (on Panorimo), Barrage Youssef-ben-Tachfine, (dammen foton) Guelmim Tan-Tan Plage  Hagounia Hotel Laayoune   Sahara Line Hotel Dakhla  Bab El Bahr Hotel   Dakhla Bay Oued Jenna   Dakhla on Panorimo Djemma El Fna 

121122 Morocco Day 13 Thursday, Guelmim - Agadir

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121110-121124 South Morocco and WestSahara

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121122 Morocco Day 13 Thursday, Guelmim - Agadir

Woke up at 5.30 and waited a while before going up. I was a bit shocked about sleeping with the computer in my knee yesterday evening. Guess I´m really tired right now.

Well, Anders had asked for breakfast at 6 but the staff did not arrive before 6 so it took a long while before we got our breakfast. I think hotel staff promise things they really shouldn´t and the kitchen staff work as usual not knowing there was a promise to fulfil. Todays departure was at 7.05 instead of 6.30. Not much of a breakfast at that hotel, coffee and croisants that was all. No bread and no juice or anything. Hard to get filled on that menue. But we managed. At least the breakfast room was great. I loved the tables.

We headed north again with Agadir as end location. We passed the mountains where the truck had overturned on our way south. It is quite a scary road. Really alpine way. One has to be glad it is not a slippery winter road. :)

We went to Oued Massa again. It is quite a nice place. This time we had clear orders not to shoot people. To bad as I spotted a young woman on a donkey and she was gorgeous. But I´d let her be. Not too many birds this time but a night heron was one of them and a 1k Bonelli´s Eagle (hökörn). A great one indeed.
 The image Bonelli´s Eagle and Common Kestrel (tornfalk)




Dadel palm I think.

After Massa we went to the north side of Agadir. There was a Nature reserve where the Royal Palace is located but we was not allowed to enter it so we stayed at the coastal line. It was tricky to bird as we had backlight. The entire bay was shining in silver. With black birds in it. Mostly flamingos and ducks. At this location we also spotted the blue eyed magpie. It was such a beauty I really was regretting we did not see it up close.



We arrived at Oasis Hotel around 16.10 so there was lots of time before we met again for the species list and dinner. I went down to the beach and had a lot of fun. It is a large beach. Some waves came further in to the beach then expected so I got my pants wet. And very sandy feet. But so what. It was fun. But I never saw the .....
 The arial image is linked from the beach website.

I was back at the hotel in time for a shower before our artlist meeting. At dinner I sat with Ewa and Bo and shared a bottle of Moroccan wine with them. It was really good. The dinner at this hotel is special. So many great stuff in the buffé to choose from and so nicely served.

Now I will soon go back to the room and upload my shots for today and to see what my balcony view can offer me.

 Tomorrow is a sleeping morning. The breakfast is served at 6.00 and forward and the boat company will pick us up at 9.00 h. Our bags will stay in a locked room at the hotel during the day.

A late evening stroll on the  Beach of Agadir

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day 13, 121122 Thursday, åter mot Agadir, Oued Massa, Oued Sous
day 13, 121122 Thursday, night in Agadir

Oasis Hotel, Boulevard Mohamed V, Agadir Tel 05 28 84 33 13

see day 2

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** Links: Gueliz Hotel Tamri, Cap Rhir images Agadir Oasis Hotel Oued MassaPanorimo), Barrage Youssef-ben-Tachfine, (dammen foton) Guelmim Tan-Tan Plage  Hagounia Hotel Laayoune   Sahara Line Hotel Dakhla  Bab El Bahr Hotel   Dakhla Bay Oued Jenna   Dakhla on Panorimo

121112 Morocco Day 3 Monday, Oued Massa

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121110-121124 South Morocco and WestSahara

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121112 Morocco Day 3 Monday, Oued Massa

I woke up at 5 as breakfast would be served at 5.30 to have an early start of the day. I wanted to boil water for my coffee but failed rather much. I managed to break a glas when I poored cool water in a hot glas. Well, nothing to do about that. We left The hotel Tulip Inn Oasis at 6.10 going south. It was a nice sunup this morning and I was sitting with the guys, who took the first rows in the bus, and seems to want to keep them. 

 

We arrived at Oued Massa around 8.30 and started to walk as the driver did not dare drive all the way down. Locals told him it was muddy and not safe for a bus. It was a rather chilly morning but sunny as we started to walk. There was birds all along the way. Not many but a little here and a little there. I´ll ad the list later.

We walked along the dirt road but it was not as bad as the driver had been told. But we were ok walking it. I don´t know, maybe  it was about 2 km. But as it was first chilly, then windy and later warm it was quite tiring. It was nice, we met some local woman riding donkeys and they were a very beautiful sight. We were not really allowed to take photos of them but I could not resist taking a few from behind. They were all covered up showing only the eyes. They were nice and friendly as long as your camera was pointing downwords. I can actually understand why they wear this outfit. When it was warm and windy the clothing helped you escape flies and helped avoid a lot of sand in the regular clothes they were wearing under this dress. I also learned where the expression "kick asses" comes from. Because that was what the ladies and gentlemen did. They kicked asses to get where they wanted. :)
 

Oued Massa

I think this was quite a nice place to live in with the nearby village on the other side of the river and so close to the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

I and 2  guys walked all the way down to the ocean. I wanted to see the Eurasian Sponbill (skedstork) that was supposed to be there. But they were further out still and I did not get a good look at them.

 

 

Oued Massa Nat Park

We were back at the bus at 13.00h and had the rest of our lunch. We left the place at 13.00 to go to the water reservoir or rather the channel out from it. Barrage Youssef-ben-Tachfine

 

This was a rather interesting place. Not that many birds but nice ones. Then there was butterflies and dragon flies. And a frog! We also had the opportunity to watch a newborn goat getting on it´s feet the first time. How wonderful that is to see.

 

 

Ökenstenskvätta - Desert Wheater

 

New Born

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Done with the area we headed south about 15.30.

 

 

Coming up on the high level we had a stop at 16.20. It turned out to be a truck that had gone off the road and they had to lift it up. Lots of cars was blocked. The police turned out to pick out the small cars and let them pass. We, in the bus, and other trucks had to wait until the truck was on it´s wheels again. We did the artlist to pass the time and to save some when we finally could move along. We were allowed to start again at 17.30, just as we finished the artlist. Now it was getting dark and we had a red sunset. As we were almost at the highest point we now went down. It was steep and curvy, truly alpine road. Quite scary.

 

At Guelmim we found a Supermarket but they did not have bread or fruit. So we had to go elsewhere to find it.

 

Arriving at the hotel we all were disappointed. A small hotel and nothing seemed to be ready for us. No assigned rooms, no towel, two of the guys only had one blanket they said. And they were not a couple. My room has no window but the shower was good but a bit unrelieable.  And the bed too, But the door lock was difficult. At 8.30 We met for dinner. And to our surprise it was delicious. Some kind of clay cooked meal that was well spiced. O, and there was a salad starter too. I had to go and ask for a spoon so we could get the “sky” to the food to. To finish with there was a plate with desert joghurt and fruit. Lastly I and one of the couples ordered coffee.

Even if the hotel had a lot to wish for the dinner was superb. But later I heard the guys was not full. Too little food or 14 people. But Anders had spoken to our agent to change the hotel for the road back. Maybe a bit sad as the food really was great.

 

 

          Hommes blues Hotel, 447 Ave. HassanII. Guelmim Tel 05 28 77 28 21

          can´t find it, Hotel au rendez-vous des hommes bleus finns men inga bilder

 

Tomorrow morning breakfast at 5.30 and departure at 6.00

 

Oued Massa

 

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day 3, 121112 Monday, Oued Massa (on Panorimo), Barrage Youssef-ben-Tachfine, (dammen foton)

day 3, 121112 Monday, night in Guelmim http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guelmim Gateway to the Desert

Hommes blues Hotel, 447 Ave. HassanII. Guelmim Tel 05 28 77 28 21

can´t find it, "Hotel au rendez-vous des hommes bleus hotel" finns men inga bilder

121111 Morocco Day 2 Sunday, Birding our way to Agadir

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121111 Morocco Day 2 Sunday,

I woke up at 5.30. Packed my bags and went to breakfast at 6.15. We were all finished and the coach left hotel Ryad Mogador Gueliz and Marrakesch at 7.10.

We made a short stop at Chichaoua, Marocco to buy some water and bread for lunch. It was some hills on the way but not the mountainrange I was hoping for. When we stoped to buy breakfast there was some people begging. I´m not really comforting with that. Morocco seem to be a very divided country, both modern as well as the old way of life.  Lots of cars and busses then there are still lots of donkeys in the traffic carrying people or gods. There is a lot of litter all over the place. Especially plasticbags and bottles everywhere. I saw my first Spotless Starlings (Svartstarar) at the little marketplace.

We bought whatever we needed for the rest of the day in this little shop. They had youghurt and bread and lots of fruit. And candy and coke as you can see. Very important. :)

Belive it or not, but it started to rain. So when we did stop to streach the legs at 10.00h,  it was wet. We walked for a while among trees but did not see much birds. But we did see a yellow scorpion and a shepheard guarding sheep.

The group looking for Eremit ibis - Bald Ibis, Added 2 birds

At noon we had reached the coast and turned south. Our first birding stop was at Tamri north at the coast. We walked around in a desert like country. A few sanddunes and some sticky dry bushes. We saw a lot of Bald Ibis (Eremit Ibis) and Cream-colored Courser (ökenlöpare). It was fun. At that time the sun had finally arrived. We stayed there for about 2-3h. 

Then we moved a bit south and stoped at a beach to check for birds and have the lunch of our choice. My choise was to eat later on the bus and use the time taking shots and looking around. Lots of Bald Ibis (eremit ibis), Audouin´s Gull (rödnäbbade trutar) and ducks was there and a wonderful beach with roaring waves. It was very windy so staying away from the cliffs edge was wise. 

Then we continued south and went to a lighthouse, Cap Ghir or Cap Rhir, and a small village. Spelling in Morocco is very complicated indeed. Same thing has a lot of different ways to be expressed in writing.  I took a lot of shots at the rocky beach. The guys tried to bird with the scope but I did not even try it. It was too windy.   We saw a pair of Moussier´s Redstart (Diademrödstjärt) among a few other birds.

The village and Lighthosue of Cap Ghir

We continued to Agadir and got there around 17.30. We found a supermarket and bought what we think we need for tomorrow.

We arrived at The hotel Tulip Inn Oasis around18.00. I took a shower and then we joined at 19.30 to go through the birdlist and tomorrows scedule. As usual the others had seen a lot more birds then me.

Then, finally, we had dinner. It was a buffé and some of it was good. I had beer and a cup of coffe to it. The only hotel that offered beer. And this table in the shot was just the starters. Then there was main course and dessert. Lots! :)



Tomorrow we shall have breakfast at 5.30 and leave the hotel at 6.00h. Ouch, early again.

Ole and Eva at Tamri Nat Park

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day 2 121111 Sunday Tamri, Cap Rhir images
day 2, 121111 Sunday, night in Agadir http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agadir
Oasis Hotel, Boulevard Mohamed V, Agadir Tel 05 28 84 33 13
Hotell-Tulip-Inn-Oasisinternet access in the lobby

Hotel Tulip Inn Oasis, Morocco

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121110-121124 South Morocco and WestSahara

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NF Photo 121123
A reflection of the hotel in its swimmingpool,  Hotel Tulip Inn Oasis, Morocco

Weekend Reflection 166

 

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More about South Morocco and Westsahara on NF Photo    Moroccan Bird species ** Labels: Resor, travel, trip, journey, Sverige, Sweden, airplane, flygplan, sky, photo, photography, Monica Johansson, NatureFootstep, nfphoto, NF_photo, nature, natur, fågelskådning, birding, fågelblog, birdblog, Marocko, Morocco, Västsahara, West Sahara, Sahara, desert, öken, Marrakech  Agadir Oasis Hotel