TRAVEL JOURNAL #1 | MOROCCO | IMSOUANE

In January, I visited Imsouane in Morocco, with only one expectation in mind – to ride the waves of the famed ‘Magic Bay’ - one of the longest point breaks in Africa. Little did I know that this quaint fishing village nestled an hour and a half north of Agadir would leave such a mark on my soul. Walking through its streets was like entering a portal to a bygone era, with a feeling of the carefree spirit of the 1970s. Its rich tapestry of tradition invites travellers and surfers from around the globe to immerse themselves in its unique charm.

I stayed at the beautiful The O Surf House, with panoramic views overlooking Magic Bay. I spent my days working on my website, business planning and checking out the waves. It was the perfect start to an exciting year ahead.

 | Photos of Olympia wearing the Edie Sarong in Desert Stripe and the Rae Sarong in Gingham Check |

However, my departure from Imsouane was followed by a sombre turn of events. Just two days after leaving, I was met with shocking news that Imsouane was being demolished by authorities. Homes were crushed, and residents were forced to evacuate with a mere 24 hour notice. It was deemed that many of these properties were unauthorised, despite standing as pillars of the community for decades. The iconic blue and white structures, reminiscent of Santorini's charm, were wiped away in an instant, erasing not just buildings but an entire cultural heritage.

There are now plans for a new built up resort - it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving such hidden treasures and supporting the communities that call them home. The realities of modernisation and gentrification often comes at the cost of displacement and loss. As travellers, it's our responsibility to tread lightly, to cherish and respect the places we visit and to advocate for sustainable tourism practices. 

I am so grateful for having experienced it's magic and hope I'll be able to visit again soon - special thanks to the wonderful people who I crossed paths with and helped me during my stay.  

You can see the full collection of sarongs here.