Day 189 - Surf, Lego and Another Slow Day in Sidi Kaouki

An earlier start for us this morning, with Kia and I both awake around 7am. We headed up to the rooftop for our usual coffee and breakfast and were happy to discover that msemen were back on the menu. We’d all been craving them over the last few days while they weren’t available, so it was a nice surprise to see them return.

Breakfast was relaxed as always, overlooking the ocean and easing into the day. We didn’t have any plans, which seems to be becoming one of the luxuries of slow travel. With nowhere to rush off to, everyone settled into their own rhythm. I spent the morning catching up on some work, Kia helped the kids with schoolwork, and there was plenty of Lego building happening in between.

By the time breakfast finished and work was done, it was already early afternoon. We wandered down to one of the local cafés for lunch. Much of the town was still quiet due to the holiday period, but the café was packed with locals and visitors alike. We managed to find a table out the back and all ordered beef tacos. The menu was a little smaller than usual, but the food was still great and it was nice to be out among the buzz of people enjoying their day.

After lunch, the kids were keen to head back to the beach. The ocean looked much calmer than it had been recently, so we hired a couple of bodyboards from the local surf shop and headed into the water. Maddie grabbed a wetsuit again, which turned out to be a smart move as the Atlantic was definitely on the cool side.

The surf was fun and playful, with plenty of waves for everyone. Maddie’s confidence has been growing each day and she was catching waves much more consistently than before. There were plenty of smiles, plenty of wipeouts and plenty of laughter as we all took turns riding waves back toward the beach.

After a couple of hours in the water, I was definitely feeling the cold. Even standing on the shoreline trying to warm up in the sun wasn’t enough with the cool breeze coming off the ocean. We eventually returned the boards and headed back toward our accommodation, only to realise Kia wasn’t there. She had planned to come down to the beach but we’d somehow missed each other. Fortunately, we quickly found her nearby and I was able to race back for a hot shower, which felt absolutely amazing after a long afternoon in the water.

The rest of the afternoon was wonderfully uneventful. The kids disappeared into another world of Lego creations while Kia and I enjoyed some quiet time, catching up on blogging, research and a few things online. Before we knew it, it was 7:30pm and the kids finally emerged, ready for dinner.

We headed back to our favourite restaurant in town and enjoyed another great meal. The staff have become incredibly friendly with us during our stay and it’s always nice to be welcomed back. They also let us know they’re planning to update the menu soon, which we’re looking forward to after nearly two weeks of happily working our way through the same favourites.

By the time dinner was finished and we walked back to our accommodation, it was close to 10pm. Another late night, but one filled with simple moments that seem to define this stage of our journey.

A tour group staying at the accommodation was enjoying a lively evening together, and their conversations and laughter carried through the warm night air. Sleep took a little longer to find than usual, but it was a reminder that travel is often a shared experience. Sometimes that means quiet mornings on a rooftop overlooking the ocean, and sometimes it means listening to other travellers making memories of their own.

Day 189 wasn’t filled with big adventures or major attractions. It was simply a day of work, school, surf, Lego, good food and family time. The kind of day that probably wouldn’t stand out on a holiday itinerary, but the kind of day that quietly becomes part of the story when you’re living on the road.