Morocco touches both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. While we docked in Casablanca, I chose to spend the day about three and a half hours away in Marrakesh. Founded in 1070, Marrakesh was once an important political and cultural center and is now the most popular destination in Morocco.
About 20 of us boarded the bus for Marrakesh in the morning. Abdul was our guide and Hassan was our driver for the day. As we headed out of the port, Abdul gave us a bit of an orientation of the culture of Morocco. While men are allowed to have multiple wives, it is not typical. Women hold jobs outside the home, and the marriage age was raised to 21. He was proud to show off his country, and he emphasized how welcoming they are of other cultures. I know that they were glad to see our cruise ship and all the tourism dollars it brought with it.
Bahia Palace was built between 1894 and 1900, and intended to be the greatest palace of its time. The name of the Bahia Palace means “brilliance” in Arabic. As in other buildings of the period in other countries, it was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan styles. There is a 2-acre garden with rooms opening onto courtyards, and the rooms are filled with decorative mosaics, paintings, and carvings.
From the palace, we walked to lunch at Dar Essalam, the restaurant where they filmed the Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Man Who Knew Too Much. (Or as Abdul called it "The Man Who Knew a Lot.")
After the strenuous hike/run through the souk, I sat for a bit in a café and watched the hawkers try to sell us everything we didn't need. Then it was back to the bus for the long trip back to the port.
We stopped at sundown in a rest area so our guide and driver could break their Ramadan fast, and we enjoyed some sour cream and onion chips while we watched the sunset in the middle of nowhere.
When we got back to Casablanca, the roads were crowded with people headed to the mosques for prayers. We drove by the Hassan II Mosque, the largest functioning mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.
We also drove by Rick's Café. A former American diplomat restored a mansion and redesigned it to look just like the set of Casablanca. Now you, too, can go to Rick’s Café and ask the piano player to “Play it, Sam.”
Sailing into Casablanca
A quiet Sunday morning in the city
About 20 of us boarded the bus for Marrakesh in the morning. Abdul was our guide and Hassan was our driver for the day. As we headed out of the port, Abdul gave us a bit of an orientation of the culture of Morocco. While men are allowed to have multiple wives, it is not typical. Women hold jobs outside the home, and the marriage age was raised to 21. He was proud to show off his country, and he emphasized how welcoming they are of other cultures. I know that they were glad to see our cruise ship and all the tourism dollars it brought with it.
Driving through farmland
As we approached Marrakesh, I could see the snowcapped Atlas Mountains in the distance, which provides much of the water to the city. (Sorry, didn't get a good picture of them).
Part of the old city wall
Walking through the park on a really hot day
I can't remember why, but these men are bringers of good luck.
Our guide, Abdul
The Old Stone Mosque
The largest mosque in Morocco is Kutubiyya Mosque or the Old Stone Mosque, founded in 1147. The minaret (bell tower) is a local orientation landmark for the people of the town.
From the mosque, we walked through town to Bahia Palace. We passed throngs of people, cars, and shops. Watch out for the motorbike riders - they weave their way through pedestrian streets and narrow alleys with little regard for life and limb. I was truly surprised I didn't see any accidents!
From the mosque, we walked through town to Bahia Palace. We passed throngs of people, cars, and shops. Watch out for the motorbike riders - they weave their way through pedestrian streets and narrow alleys with little regard for life and limb. I was truly surprised I didn't see any accidents!
Originally set up for his personal use by Si Moussa, grand vizir of the sultan, the Bahia palace bears the name of one of his wives, and was expanded upon by his son, Abu Ahmed. Here, the harem, which includes a vast court decorated with a central basin and surrounded by rooms intended for the concubines. When Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, the Bahia Palace was used as a royal residence, until King Hassan II transferred it to the Moroccan Ministry of Culture.
Sleepy kitten on mosaic tiles
The palace is divided into different rooms such as the Hall for businesses and administrative purposes; the 4 rooms for his wives; the quarter for his 24 concubines and a dining room; the School, where Abu’s sons and daughters are taught by their teachers and turned into a mosque 5 times a day for praying; and Abu’s own quarters, as well as his private dining room.
The Harem's courtyard
From the palace, we walked to lunch at Dar Essalam, the restaurant where they filmed the Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Man Who Knew Too Much. (Or as Abdul called it "The Man Who Knew a Lot.")
Delicious "salads" - tomato, eggplant, lentil, carrot, and pumpkin for dipping
Tangine Chicken for the main course
After lunch we headed for Old Medina. "Yallah" means "Let's Go," and we heard it often from Abdul; I wish I knew how to say "Wait up!" He was a fast walker, and the streets were crowded. He actually miscounted and left someone at the rest area in the morning, so I didn't have a lot of confidence in him. I ran to keep up to make sure I got back to the ship.
Within Marrakesh’s Old Medina is a large open square called Dejemaa-el-F’na (Assembly of the Dead). It’s filled with everything I think of when I pictured Morocco – snake charmers, street performers, spice vendors, hawkers, pickpockets, tourists jammed into small side streets. We started on the square and worked our way through the side streets.
Within Marrakesh’s Old Medina is a large open square called Dejemaa-el-F’na (Assembly of the Dead). It’s filled with everything I think of when I pictured Morocco – snake charmers, street performers, spice vendors, hawkers, pickpockets, tourists jammed into small side streets. We started on the square and worked our way through the side streets.
A snake being charmed
A new friend!
I tried to fit them in my bag, but they wouldn't cooperate.
Sunset at the Gulf station
When we got back to Casablanca, the roads were crowded with people headed to the mosques for prayers. We drove by the Hassan II Mosque, the largest functioning mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.
The light at the top is pointing to Mecca
We also drove by Rick's Café. A former American diplomat restored a mansion and redesigned it to look just like the set of Casablanca. Now you, too, can go to Rick’s Café and ask the piano player to “Play it, Sam.”
Comments
Post a Comment