Sunday, 16 January 2011

Sidi Ifni

Sidi Ifni is about 2 hours drive south of Agadir on the Laayaoune road. It was only returned to Morocco in 1976 havikng been a Spanish colony. Despite their claim to bags a share of the western sahara minerals the spanish did not bother building there until 1934 so it was built in full Art Deco style.  We visited in December when it had the air of Rhyl of season. I was worried that "art deco" may mean full fascist architecture such as the valley los caidos or florence railway station but nothing so grim.
The tourist part of the town is the original administrative centre; the majority of people live a bit further inland presumably where they were kept away from the colonial forces. It is genuine art deco and wholly painted in white with  blue highlights  so it is reminiscent of Miami Beach by way of southern texas/californian spanish mission. the only sign of any vaguely fascist style was the brown stone memorable in the garden of the central square.
The town is divided into 2 parts, the upper part with the original admin buildings, lighthouse, market and the Hotel Bellevue, which is linked to a newer lower level in the north by steps which is at beach level with more hotels a couple of camp sites and a swimming pool.  The main attraction these days seems to be the surf but as we are too old and unfit for that we stayed in the upper town at the Hotel Bellevue (no sign of the infamous rude woman of the reviews only really helpful staff).The whole area can be strolled round in about 15 minutes.



































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