Casablanca greeted us with jet lag, but that didn’t stop us from diving headfirst into this fascinating country again.
I say again because we spent 45 days here in 2019 and really enjoyed our exploration of this country. We spent most of our time in Essaouira, a small city on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean between Casa Blanca and Agadir. If you want to read about that fascinating trip, search for Essaouira or look at the archives beginning October 22, 2019.
A little about Morocco: it boasts a rich tapestry woven from Berber, Arab, African, and European influences, a blend evident in everything from food to architecture. This beautiful nation, (some may not think so but after our experiences we do), inhabited for over 300,000 years, has a population of roughly 38 million. Islam is the predominant religion, and Arabic and Berber are the official languages, though French and Moroccan Arabic are also widely spoken. And those prayers to Allah are blasted by loud speakers all over the city 5 times a day! After our previous trip we must have become immune to them as we didn’t notice them as much this time.
We saw so many mosques and palaces on this trip that I had to sort the pictures to remember which was which! Our first stop was the iconic Hassan II Mosque, the world’s third-largest mosque and a truly awe-inspiring structure. Completed in 1993, it’s a stunning example of Moroccan craftsmanship. The intricate details on the tilework were mesmerizing. The minaret, towering 688 feet, was the world’s tallest when built and is still the second tallest today. We learned that at dusk, a laser beam projects from the minaret’s summit, reaching 18 miles towards Mecca. That would have been cool to see!
Next, we channeled our inner Humphrey Bogart at Rick’s Cafe, a classic tourist stop but a must for Casablanca movie buffs. We stayed in the van since the heat was up to 102 degrees. It was just a photo op and I had the perfect view from inside the van!
Wandering the city on foot, we stumbled upon the oldest shop in Casablanca, a treasure trove of Moroccan sweets and crumbly cookies. Perfect for an afternoon treat later and a few for now. Our local guide then took us off on a market adventure, where overflowing mounds of olives in every color and flavor awaited. This is what we remember when we talk about our previous days here. We tasted our way through the selection of green, brown, black and red olives.
The grand Royal Palace, built in the 1920s, boasted beautiful Arabic facades and we were hoping to see the guards here but they weren’t around today. This is the main residence for the Royals so it is only open to the public Mondays and Tuesdays. We were able to see some of the external areas.
Nearby, Mohammad V Square better known as Pigeon Square buzzed with activity, a community of Casablanca’s vibrant and colorful people. The pigeons were everywhere and several locals were feeding them from their hands.
It was time to head to Marrakech, our next city and a formal imperial city in western Morocco. After a warm three-hour drive, we arrived. Our food tour began as soon as we reached our destination with a giant cup of fresh fruit juice, a lifesaver in the 102-degree heat. We then dove into the sweet and savory side of Moroccan cuisine, indulging in delicate pastries, home made donuts, and steaming cups of mint tea. Last meal on this food tour was a feast of succulent lamb chops and flavorful tangines cooked in a traditional vessel made from clay.
Our luxurious stay at Le Meridian was a welcome respite, especially since the UEFA European Championship was happening that night. Our English friends team lost to Spain so we toasted to a great game and cheers for a chance next year!
Day two was a whirlwind tour of Marrakesh’s historical gems. (8 miles of walking for both days!) The towering Koutoubia Mosque, a 12th-century masterpiece of Almohad architecture, dominated the skyline. We were mesmerized by the intricate details on its minaret.
Next, we explored the opulent Bahia Palace, a sprawling complex built in the late 19th century. We wandered through a maze of courtyards, each adorned with intricate stuccowork, colorful zellij tiles, and exquisite cedarwood ceilings. A luxurious life once lived within these walls.
Our final stop of the day was the Medina, a walled city in Marrakech and is a UNESCO world heritage site as well. The huge never ending maze of 700 hectares in size, was a sensory assault of sights, smells, and sounds. Motorbikes whizzed past us, donkey carts navigated the throngs of people, locals bargaining their goods and a snake charmer’s tune added to the chaos. We even ventured into a traditional Berber pharmacy, filled with mysterious herbs and potions, picking up a few for home!
While we missed seeing the famous “goats in a tree,” the vibrant memories we made more than compensated. (We were lucky to have seen them on our previous trip but was hoping our friends could see them) With a final 3 hour drive to Agadir, our Moroccan adventure continued at the beach, leaving us with more experiences we won’t soon forget. Morocco is a place we wouldn’t hesitate to visit again someday, although I think we have had enough mosques and palaces for awhile!
Portugal is our next stop however we have decided not to tour the city but to look for a clinic for Chuck to try and get some relief from his hip pain.
May God Bless you always!
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 