Old Friends, Fresh Air: A Day Trip to Asilah

Sometimes you just need to get out of the city. There is nothing like fresh ocean air to clear the mind and wake up the eyes, which is why I was thrilled to have the excuse to go on a day trip to Asilah with my two best friends who are visiting me for the week.



It's funny how having old friends see you in a new place throws your whole life into a funny perspective. I've known these ladies since I was about 5 years old, so they literally know every single dirty little secret I possess. Having them enter my Moroccan life is like stepping through an other-worldly portal. A clash of the years past and years present. But it is wonderful.

Driving along the Northern Moroccan coast, gaping at mountains and waves and reminiscing about playmobiles and middle school crushes, none of us could quite believe that we were together in this country. But there we were.

We began our trip stopping by Cap Spartel and Grotte D'Hercule- a lovely lookout point with an expansive rolling beach and rocks dotted by fisherman, catching fresh fish for local restaurants.

And camels, because you know, they just have to.

We took the obligatory we're in Morocco together selfie:

...and drove on to the little village of Asilah, where we ate a delicious lunch at Cafe Garcia complete with grilled prawns, fried calamari and fillets of swordfish. Everything was caught that morning, cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. Sorry- we were way too hungry to take food pictures. It happens.

After stuffing our faces, an energizing walk through the Kasbah was much needed. The Kasbah in Asilah was filled with stunning bright, bold shades of blues, greens and whites, with the frequent splattered, multi-colored mural.

I love getting lost in places like this. You never know where the winding street will take you.

Maybe it will take you to a cafe with perfect little Moroccan cookies. That's always nice.

Eventually we found our way back out and our way back home to Tangier.

Asilah was brief, blue and beautiful.
Absolutely worth the day trip, especially if you have good (the best) company.