Surfing at Taghazoute

After the half-day with the quads, we drove west towards the ocean. The rest of the day was spent getting to Taghazoute -- the surfing paradise according to our guide book. We were on Banana Beach. In the morning, we realized how horribly the guide book had erred: there wasn't a single surfer in the water through midday or even the remotest sign of an equipment rental place. After inquiring, the Moroccans in the area were keen to get us equipment and ran off. As we learned through the trip, asking questions can be a mistake. Through a chain of quick commands, phone calls, and confused faces, your request will almost always be materialized, whilst you wait for some odd period of time. We just asked if there was a surf rental shop nearby and they were off! While we waited for a sign of reappearance, we sat along the beach. A kind man rented us a horse for 50 Dirhams each to ride along the beach for 15 minutes. We both did it: it was cool, and the horse went into a bit of gallop and moved fast. Dan had a bit more control but as a result a shorter ride since he was able to turn the horse around when he was supposed to be finished. Nachi, on the other hand, just went farther and farther until the horse felt like turning.

Moments after finishing, two shady Moroccans had materialized with surfboards and wetsuits. We quickly overpaid for poor equipment, as we were constantly reminded by other people for the rest of the day. We struggled to stand up for the waves. Nachi had three separate bruises along his neck -- possibly from jellyfish. Sore and bruised, we hopped back into the car to continue on to Essaouira.