Agadir, Morocco – Teal Sky

We followed the ‘101’ south along the west coast of Africa. Before arriving in Agadir we stopped to explore some Jurassic limestone caverns carved by the sea — Caves of Cape Ghir.

There were a few petroglyphs visible — the Caves of Cape Ghir are known for the discovery of neolithic flint and other evidence of ancient people.

We are staying in a condo at the marina in Agadir — excellent location, a pleasant harbor, good restaurants and a 3-mile long paved beach promenade, ‘The Corniche’.

Paradise Valley was a day trip into the nearby foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Pink sandstone and sloped rocks make Paradise Valley a popular recreation area.

It seems semester break starts today at the university so students are celebrating with a relaxing day in Paradise Valley!

Swimming, diving, hollering — we are experiencing a local holiday. Paradise Valley

Meanwhile back to the long sandy beach of Agadir for another sunset on the Atlantic coast.

Souss Massa National Park is very large and protects many local fauna and flora. It stretches along the coast from the Souss River valley in the north to the Massa River Valley in the south (picture – near Sidi Binzarne). Beautiful fields of wildflowers, flamingos and spoonbills in the river delta.

Our NP guide, Mohammad, showed us the argan trees and how to harvest and crush the seeds for oil. In Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station

He also guided us around a driving loop where we saw numerous ostriches. This is a female and we saw her 5 offspring as well as the darker colored male. Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station.

We saw several of this beautifully horned antelope species called Addax. This is a male with a dark patch of hair between his horns — females are light colored. Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station.

The Dorcas Gazelle is small — more skittish. This is an endangered species that is protected but poachers are still a problem out side the park. Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station.