The batteries are totally recharged after a full night’s sleep, comfy bed, great pillows, and cranked up the AC a little to cool the room down. There was a Saturday night concert going on not too far away from the hotel, but the loud music didn’t interfere once the balcony doors were closed. The morning came too quickly. We have a quick breakfast on the rooftop and then zip downstairs to hook up with our guide “Ayoub”………seems like a great guy, speaks good English, and has a solid plan for the day. Although others have suggested we cab it from one attraction to the next, Ayoub will have us walking the whole way………hmmmmmm. It actually turns out fine, with his relaxed pace, lots of info stops and chatter along the way.
Casablanca is a big place……over 4 million people in the general area (although many will say 7 million)…..the largest city in Morocco by a long shot……Fez and Marrakech about a million each are the next biggest. Good thing today is Sunday because the traffic is very light, and it is easy to get around. We visit all the usual tourista attractions, the Medina, United Nations Place, etc., and end up at the big enchilada on the waterfront……..the one thing you must see if visiting Casablanca…….the Hassan II Mosque……..don’t miss it. You have to look this up on Wiki or Google or Chat GPT, or whatever you are using, because the story is too long for me to tell here, but it is most interesting. Just over 6 years to build, with up to 38 thousand primary craftsmen + their crews and labourers, virtually all materials used are from Morocco, and believe me you have never seen so much marble, and hand carved wood in your life. It is a beauty, and quite unusual for a functioning mosque to allow non-Muslim visitors inside. It is just staggering in scale……..can accommodate 25,000 worshipers inside, and another 80,000 on the plaza outside.
The only problem was, our timing was screwed up…….we arrived at 11:40, just missing the last morning tour, and were told the next would be at 2pm…….rejigged the plan and we would have some lunch before returning for the tour. I am not walking to lunch, but the goats and Ayoub are raring to go……..hailing a cab for me is easy…..these little red cabs are everywhere…….called “Small Cabs”…….because………they are small……a mixture of compact Dacia’s, Renault’s, and Fiat’s…….close to 9,000 of them working the city…….can only take 3 passengers max (only room for 3 anyway). Quick and easy, I arrive at our lunch spot “Cascade” in minutes. Gorgeous seaside restaurant, and the surf is up…….waves crashing in…….quite a view for us during lunch.
We are back at the mosque in plenty of time for the tour, and being with Ayoub allows us to jump the line. Truly an incredible tour, and the pictures hardly do it justice.
Back at the hotel we are settled in for another rooftop dinner and it is fantastic once again. Jutta swears she has found the best ravioli she has ever tasted………the fresh fish dish is perfect once again………..dessert is tempting, but we just don’t have any place to put it.
Leave a Reply