Photo of the Week: Lone Fisherman on Safi Beach

There are currently two Auto Shows in town, the Land Rover G4 Challenge at Sofitel and a Toyota Exhibition in the Ocean Vagabond parking lot.

The Land Rover G4 Challenge 2006 – This event takes place between Marrakech and Essaouira. I have seen lines of about 20 brand new Land Rovers driving in and out of town all week. Usually the lead car is bright orange and has "Land Rover G4 Challenge" in black down the side. The rest of the shiny new rovers driven by Europeans.

I went to the official website http://www.landroverg4challenge.com/ and it says nothing about Morocco so one must assume that guests in the Sofitel Marrakech are given the opportunity test drive the cars on the lovely road to Essaouira. A nice lunch by the sea and back to RAK.

We also have an Exhibition of the new 2007 Toyota Cars and 4X4's in the parking lot of the Ocean Vagabond. I don't think you get to test drive these cars unless you are a local official, but they have been providing the beach with music all week. I really like the new Land Cruiser, man that would be luxury through the Sahara. I'm sure glad Toyota isn't having a Land Cruiser T4 Challenge because that would make thing too confusing around here.

Diabet Golf Really Taking Shape

Yesterday I rode my bike all around the new course and it is really looking good. You can't tell the exact layout, but the holes are scenic with views of the foothills or the Isle de Mogador. Currently they are mostly digging, but you can see lakes and the infrastructure for irrigation being laid. I'm not really a big golf fan, but this was quite exciting. From the Jimi Hendrix Cafe you can look at a flag that appears be the 18th hole. It looks like a great approach with the Sultan's Palace to the right.

Of course the big question around the entire Golf/Hotel project is the fate of Diabet. Will the Jimi Hendrix Cafe be overlooking the 18th hole of a luxury golf course? What about all the other houses? Will this cause Diabet to grow of shrink? Ah life in Essaouira, only time will tell.

In Other News:

Mustapha's Cafe Reopens - After a one week closure, as reported last week, Mustapha's cafe in the Place Moulay Hassan has reopened. There must be a legal battle in the works, but the cafe is back up and running with the same o come. Yes, three years in the making.

Essaouira Boardwalk Extension - By the end of next year the boardwalk on Essaouira beach will extend all the way down to the end of the beach across from Villa Quieta. The construction is already taking place and it looks like the Boardwalk will be complete long before the Royal Air Maroc Hotel.

The Wind is Back - The wind and surf will be spectacular for the next week so if you are coming to town be sure to bring your boards. We will have 3-5 meters seas all week so enjoy. For surfing the best spot will be in the bay between the Ocean Vagabond and the Old Fanatic. In the afternoon, the entire bay will be good for windsports.

Current Events:

Basketball season is back in full swing and there will be games in December on the 1Oth and 24th. ASE is currently in 4th place wit a disappointing loss to first place Casablanca last weekend.

The Alliance Françoise is hosting the exhibition "Le soufisme, « coeur de l'islam »" for the month of December.

December 12 the AF will host the Documentary Film «Des îles, des volcans, des hommes» about the culture of Indonesia.

For at full schedule of events at the Alliance Françoise, go to their website at:

http://www.ambafrance-ma.org/institut/afm-essaouira/index.cfm?num=948&archive...

The Alliance Françoise is located on Rue Laalouj not far from Dar Suki.

Upcoming Events

Gnaoua Festival 2007 - Dates have yet to be posted.

December 31st is Aïd al Addha (fete du mutton) which is one of the biggest religious celebrations of the year. Be sure to get up early and go to the Place Moulay Hassan to see the Morning Prayer.

Next Week's Blog: The new chic Restaurant "Elizir" located on Main Street and Rue d'Agadir.

Blog Posted each Monday by Ron Bauer, see you soon!