With a better weather forecast, we finally had the chance to make the trip across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco so we set off at around 9am. The sea was fine until we were out of the shelter of the coast and then it was hard going, as we were driving into the wind with the tide against us. That, coupled with the fact that three of us were suffering hangovers after a heavy night with very hospitable neighbours, meant that the trip was hard going and to add to our misery we were frequently showered with cold spray!
Once close to the African mainland and safely past the open sea, conditions changed dramatically and the sea was as smooth as the proverbial baby's backside. We glided across the glassy surface to Smir where the marina attendant was hugely welcoming. Check in formalities were very thorough with a doctor on hand in case any of us was suffering from swine flu (fortunately the symptoms are different to those of a hangover!)
We were moored alongside right opposite the stores and restaurants which line the quayside, and Zaffina immediately became the main focus of interest in the port. Dozens of people stopped to have their photographs taken alongside her - who can blame them, she's gorgeous! It was the oddest experience to see the Azimut moored up in port with a camel strolling past - not a sight we're likely to see again for a while!
We really enjoyed Smir, it had an exotic atmosphere with the scent of the Africa on the wind. We spent the afternoon on a hugely overcrowded beach where the most popular watersport was throwing small children into the sea! There were dozens and dozens of jetskis whizzing past at breakneck speed, narrowly avoiding bathers and powerful speed boats performing dramatic feats which threatened to throw their passengers off the back! Health and safety? You must be joking!
Sadly the weather forecast meant we could only stay one night and the following morning we were up and off before the town had come alive again.
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