NordenBladet – Morocco is becoming a more and more valued travel destination among Estonians as well as the Scandinavians. Warm climate, friendly service and fair prices attract more and more tourists to this Northwestern-African country by the Mediterranean Sea.
Since OHMYGOSSIP holds an extended contract with the Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Moroccan International Tourism Bureau branch office in Sweden – we will be posting about Morocco frequently. I will be taking with me co-authors and collaboration partners to every journey, thus multipying the posts – blogposts, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Youtube video clips – and also posting in as many as three languages – in Estonian (on the Ohmygossip.ee site), in Finnish (on the Ohmygossip.fi site) and in English (on the Ohmygossip.com site) and also we will be sharing our impressions and travel photos in our social media stream!
And now everything from the very beginning. As far as I know, there are no direct flights from Estonia to Morocco, thus the trip from Tallinn airport to Adagir took an entire day, however, those who depart from Copenhagen airport will arrive within just four hours!
The first travel to Morocco was not individually for me and my companions, there were also representatives from the Danish media invited. There was great excitement – collaboration with high representatives of Morocco, discovering the country and additionally also the new valuable contacts from the Danish media. The new acquaintances, the new cultural environment, new opportunities and a brand new perspective, novel emotions, distinct implications – this is what most captivates me about travelling. The first journey headed for Agadir town and the nearby villages and briefly also to High Atlas mountains.
06:25– security check doesn’t take long and passes rather pleasantly, so I greet my good old Tallinn airport lounge. As usual, I set my business card on the contacts board and find myself thinking: „what a nice and cozy airport we have here!” The seats with folk style Muhu-striped covers and the overall pleasant atmosphere bring joyful recognition and give a positive start for the day. We set off with SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) flight SK1791 Tallinn-Copenhagen.
2x Tallinn Airport (TLL) Fotod: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
Soon we arrive at Copenhagen airport and since SAS and Norwegian Airlines (our next flight) stand apart, we are obliged to check in once more. To our pleasure the check-in counters were already open (often they open just a few hours before the flight) and we were able to hand over our luggage and return to the warm and cozy pastime areas of the airport crowded with shops. Regardless of november, the airport was already decorated with christmas-trees and was all glossy. The long day in the airport is an ideal time for shopping and coffee.
In Copenhagen there were triple security checks and the queues were rather long – so it is reasonable not to postpone arriving at the gates at the very last moment. It came as a surprise for us that – once in the airport – there was yet another security check before the gate. However, the seven ours of spare time before our next flight went rather quickly – the airport is large and there is plenty to do. Within that time we walked 10 000 footsteps…
6x Copenhagen Airport (CPH) Fotod: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
14:15 – we go on board the Norwegian Air. Soon food and drinks are served which are non-complimentary like on board SAS. Even a glass of water will cost you. Those who have not taken the Norwegian Air before – keep this in mind! Should you wish for a hearty plateful, you would need to arrange a meal before or after the flight.
2x Norwegian Air Fotod: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
17:50 – we arrive at Morocco Agadir (AGA) Al-Massara airport. A warm Mediterranean breeze greets us and the travel fatigue is gone in an instant, giving way to excitement. The airport is tiny and poorly ventilated, and it takes an hour to get past the security. We must fill in some papers that have already been handed to us in the airplane – questions about how long we will be staying and what is the purpose for our travel. It catches the eye in the passport line that there are very many young folks and nearly half of them have suf boards with them. I have heard that Morocco is the favourite destination for surfers this year.
Maroko, Agadir (AGA) Al-Massira lennujaam. Foto: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
19:00– a respresentative from Moroccan National Tourist Office meets us and accompanies us to our hotel – Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort, Agadir City Centre, Agadir, Morocco. This 5star hotel has been mentioned in my previous blogpost (HERE). Atlantic Palace is among Agadir’s most luxurious hotels. It is located in a closed territory and offers the tourists convenient, safe and good quality service. All these arches, carvings, gold and glitter – there is luxury in every direction! A perfect place for a vacation! Breakfast and dinner were the Swedish buffee and I would like to say some words of praise about this! The food on the menu was fresh, tasty and versatile – every day there was something new and the selection was abundant. There is rarely in a hotel a Swedish buffe that generous. Also the hotel rooms were pleasant – each room had two extra size beds and a private balcony with a splendid view.
5x Hotel Atlantic Palace Agadiris. Fotod: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
In the next post I will take a glimpse on Agadir Kasbah ruins, beach promenade and the restaurant Pure Passion located in Agadir harbour.