The history of the Moroccan seacoast is complicated --variously French, Spanish, Portuguese. You can read about it here.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-0ii8XR.jpeg)
Anyway, in late February we drove south to Sidi Ifni, where the Spanish were in charge until 1969. It has something of the air of a town time forgot --but the town hall is freshly painted.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-2INb85.jpeg)
This look a little like a fort in the Spanish Sahara.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-onz1gN.jpeg)
The cinema is being renovated --albeit astoundingly slowly.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-l01xtZ.jpeg)
The town square, high above the Atlantic, has charming plantings and a small encampments of protesters. We make a point of not getting involved in politics when abroad.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-EV7JBR.jpeg)
February flowers!
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-C_adJ_.jpeg)
The Spanish consulate. A splendid building which could/should/maybe never will be restored!
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-DYoRAO.jpeg)
A wall with shadows.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-Hidlup.jpeg)
A mosque.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-hPftjw.jpeg)
Looking down at the sea from the Belle Vue Hotel --a super precipitous view -- a rather tatty hotel
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-j2xbpm.jpeg)
Exterior of the Belle Vue.
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-lURNFa.jpeg)
Robert outside the long defunct Twist Club
![Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3 Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/45/454645/sidi-ifni-part-1-0f-3-L-HUt8eO.jpeg)
View over the rooftops from Xanadu where we stayed. A most wonderful, beautifully decorated French run riad.