COVID prevented the 2020 trip to Morocco from happening and this year Morocco had a devastating earthquake a week prior to our scheduled departure - for a while it seemed like I was not meant to go. No question it was a long few days with lots of questions that followed the earthquake. Is it right to go? Will we be safe? Will we enjoy the trip? After lots of soul searching, conversations and reading it was decided - we would leave as planned.
I actually thought the hard part was over when that decision was made until I received the 2 am ding from Air Canada on departure day advising our flight to Montreal was delayed by 4 hours meaning we would miss the flight to Casablanca. An hour and a half and many phone calls later - we rerouted through Calgary with 2 short connections. Bottom line we made both connections and here’s the real miracle - so did our luggage. The conclusion - A+ to Air Canada and Montreal luggage handlers however AC still get an F for breakfast.
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| And we made it - leaving Montreal after a very long day |
I’m happy to say I am now writing posts from Morocco. It was a long but great day in Casablanca. We started a morning tour straight from the airport. Number one on the list was a breakfast by the seaside resort area. Great way to start even though I ended up with an entire coffee over me - long story BUT the most interesting thing - a woman in the restaurant was offering me a new top to put on!
We saw markets and fancy homes and olives and bread being made. We visited the beautiful Mahjama du Pacha which was supposedly closed but it is amazing what 20 euros will do when offered to the guard. The smiles and welcome to Morocco from locals made me feel like the right decision had been made. All of this before even checking into our hotel room.
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| A view of the mosque |
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| Seaside beach clubs |
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| Imagine an entire market devoted to olives |
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| Rick’s Cafe |
The official start to our tour was later in the day when we met our new guide, Abdullah for our orientation meeting and then dinner. Dinner was an amazing experience - a restaurant in an old riad with stunning decor, amazing food, outstanding service and interesting entertainment. They have recently been voted as one of the top 1000 restaurants in the world. I actually think this was one of the best meals I have experienced in my trips - it certainly exceeded our meal at Rick’s Cafe during our first trip. The restaurant, Dar Dada is in a back little street that one would never go down. It is going to be tough to top that meal!
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| Mint tea as we arrive for dinner |
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| Two taglines - both delicious |
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| Dessert |
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| These two were basically around our table the whole time |
Our final Casablanca stop was the Hassan II Mosque. This is the only mosque open to non-muslims. It is an amazing place which is built on land and over the sea.
Some facts about the mosque:
- it took 3000 workers 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 6 years to build it
- the inside holds 25000 people and 80000 more can worship outside
-they carved the sandstone in place
- the basement contains fountains for people to wash prior to worship. The routine includes washing body parts are clean prior to praying and is completed in under 2 minutes
- the carved cedar ceiling can be opened in 3 minutes and closed in 2 minutes
- the marble floors are heated
-when it was built, all Moroccans were taxed
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| Carved cedar ceiling that opens |
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| Heated marble floors |
From there it was time to leave Casablanca and make the short trip to Rabat, the capital city. Lots of tours do quick stops in Rabat but few stay overnight. Rabat is a lovely city along the Atlantic Ocean. Because it is the seat of power and home to one of the King’s Palaces, it appears to be a very lush and a pretty city. The grounds and buildings with government offices are well maintained and apparently behind those walls is a golf course. It appears they very much love their King who is in fact a governing king. Then it was time to see the Mausoleum for the King’s father and grandfather. This sits on a large area with a partially finished mosque.
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| Royal Palace |
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| Guard at Mausoleum |
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| The remains of the mosque that was never completed |
Our final stop was a visit to the walled Kasbah des Oudais, a well maintained community overlooking the river. The Atlantic looks pretty cold and rough here. Just off of it lies cemeteries with one having 40,000 people buried there.
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| Forty thousand people buried in this cemetery |
Time for some mint tea in the kasbah.
A walk to the river took us to some shops and then a vibrant water front where families were out enjoying the evening. Children and some adults were driving theses interesting electric cars around. It was definitely a fun sight to see along the river.
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| French restaurant that serves drinks |
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| Alcohol in restaurants is expensive |
Our hotel was very close to the ocean. It is a character hotel where every room is quite different. Some of the favorite parts of my room - the ceiling and the bathroom door. Not positive but I think this may be the same room I had the last time.
Morning along the Atlantic Ocean - water looks pretty cold!
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Moroccans proudly display their flag -early morning looking towards the new developing skyline of Rabat
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| one misplaced photo - cars for the kiddies - dozens in all shapes and colors |
Oh Bev - I am so glad you made it there safe and sound. You pics are great! Take care.
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