A tourist day in Casablanca before our tour begins tomorrow. First of all, breakfast at the hotel in the stylish restaurant.
The hotel suggested a guided tour, so we teamed up with Marianne and Verner with a local guide. Verner engaged the guide with his million and one questions from quality of the soil to what colour would Moroccan Muslims consider for death?
We began the day by driving to the very commercial, western and attractive beach strip. There are many clubs here for wealthy Moroccans and expats.
We drove from the beach up into the palatial district with grand houses and gardens. This was developed by the French from the 1920s, until they were ousted in 1953.
At 10am we were able to go on a private tour of the third largest mosque (after Mecca and Medina), The Hassan 11 Mosque, completed in 1993.
Beautiful tile work and engraved plaster. This was constructed by a total Moroccan workforce.
The main doors
The Mosque was built on reclaimed land from the ocean shore. Cool breezes fan the worshippers.
The main prayer hall covers 20,000 square metres and accommodates 25,000 worshippers. Women sit in the two galleries above the hall.
On the lower floor is the ablution hall, where a 1000 men can wash before prayer around 41 fountains.
Some of the intricate mosaic work around the columns
Another area for thoroughly washing with special defoliating soap and prescribed procedures.
The ultimate cleansing experience is in this Turkish bath. Excuse all the group photos but the guide was a rather enthusiastic photographer.
Driving around the business district
We passed some water-sellers in colourful garb
This is a palace guard for the king’s residence in Casablanca. The king, Mohamed V1, has his permanent residence in Rabat.
Near the palace is an indescript government building not on the tourist circuit, but our guide insisted we stop and go inside.
It was originally the governor’s residence, which housed his several wives and concubines in the 1930 and 40s. It was decorated by Andalusian tradesman in the original Moorish style.
No tour guide is worth his salt if he doesn’t take you to some (of his friends’) outlets. We weren’t disappointed - a carpet cooperative and scented oils outlet. Interesting...our new friends found some carpets to their taste but I recoiled at the pressure and waited outside.
A walk through the very basic medina or food market- no photos allowed.
A traditional lunch at a popular tourist restaurant and then negotiations for a fair price for today’s tour. A happy result for all.
A meet and greet meal with our group from our Exodus tour - English, Australians and Canadians.
A specialty of Fez - a pastille - chicken in thin pastry dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon.
A short walk back to the hotel
M&M
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