Morocco
Casablanca

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    • Day 6

      Casablanca

      April 29, 2022 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      Der Frühsurf bot Benne und mir eine neue Challenge. Direkt vom Felsen der Insel in das Lineup springen. Bei jedem Wellental ein, zwei Schritte vor am Riff. An der Kante angekommen muss man auf eine geeignete Welle warten, die am Stein bricht, einem die Füße umspühlt und freundlicherweise den Meerespegel auf ein erreichbares Level hebt und dann nurnoch abspringen und so schnell aus der Riffzone rauspaddeln wie möglich. Augen zu und Sprung. Wie immer enttäuscht uns der Pointbreak nicht, dennoch wollen wir auch in ein neues Abenteuer weiterziehen:
      Casablanca. Schon alleine der Name dieser sagenumwobenen Piratenstadt weckt viele Bilder in unseren Köpfen von großen bunten Märkten und einem wunderschönen Hafen, an dem sich tausende Händler unterhalten und gemeinsam mit einem tiefen Seemannslachen die nächsten Routen planen. Dieses Traumreiseziel Nummer eins von Kreuzfahrtschiffen können wir nicht auslassen. Ins Navi tippen wir nur schnell Hafen ein und es leitet uns geradewegs in die schmerzhaft genaue Realität der Stadt: zum Industriehafen.
      Casablanca. Eine 3 Millionen Einwohnerstadt, in der statt zu Blinken gehupt wird, dieses Konzert der Disharmonien nimmt einem den Kopf in die Greifzange. In welcher sich dreimal so viele Menschen als in Köln auf engsten Raum einen Platz suchen. In welcher der Smog schon sichtbare Schlieren vor der nächsten Hausreihe zieht und dich große traurige Straßenbabyaugen angucken. Tausende Autos auf sechsspurigen Straßen hupen sich jede Sekunde ihren Weg frei. Die Stadt wirkt noch fremder, da durch Ramadan keine Cafés oder Restaurants geöffnet sind, wir Bahnen uns hungrig den Weg weiter in die Stadt. Und dann kommt der Königspalast. Eine riesige Fläche die keiner betreten darf nur für die Auffahrt. Eine Fläche der Größe eines Gutshofes nur für einem Mensch inmitten dieser überlaufenden Stadt. Haushohe Bourganvillen und Hibiskuspflanzen ranken sich ihren Weg an der Fassade hoch. Bäume, Blumen und Springbrunnen bilden einen umzeunten und bewachten Park der Ruhe. Gleich daneben ein kleiner Markt unter prunkvoll verzierten Torbögen, in welchem schöne Roben und Kleider dich in allen Farben schimmernd anleuchten. Straßenbäume, die mehr Orangen als Äste tragen. Und auf einmal diese Ruhe, die anscheinend nur für Reiche langt. Genug gesehen von Casablanca.
      Als Ausgleich suchen wir uns einen Spot außerhalb zu welchem man nur über Sandwege gelangt. Direkt am Meer und so wenig Bebauung wie möglich. Hier ist es fast wie Urlaub von der Stadt. Wir machen Dünenweitsprünge und warten über die von der Ebbe aufgedeckten Riff Landschaften, während die Sonne schneller als zu Hause am Himmel herunterfällt.
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    • Day 24

      Hassan II Mosque

      November 5, 2022 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      This mosque is the 7th largest in the world (according to our guide) and was completed in 6 years, being finished in 1993. It can accommodate 105,000 worshipers. Inside 5,00 women upstairs, 20,000 men on the main floor and 80,000 outside on the plaza.. In the summer, especially during Ramadan the wooden roof is opened (slides open) . Downstairs you find the Moroccan bath where one would wash theirselves before prayers. The minaret is 200m high. The mosque was constructed by Moroccans with Moroccan stone, marble, cedar, and metals. Only a small amount of white marble was imported from Italy along with Murano glass for the chandeliers.

      It is an impressive building. Tom didn’t want to go, but was glad he did.
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    • Day 24

      Last night in Morocco! Casablanca

      November 5, 2022 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

      Dianne and I didn’t get to spend much time in out Casablanca hotel. We checked out at 10:30 pm for a 2:30 am flight to Frankfurt, but there was time for a farewell dinner with all of our travelling companions. Our tour guide Khalid did an excellent job for us for the last two weeks.Read more

    • Day 14

      Marrakech Express

      March 6, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

      We caught the train today from Marrakech to Casablanca, a comfortable 2.5 hour journey.

      The landscape started dry and brown, but the further north we went, the more lush and green it became.

      Casablanca is the financial capital of Morocco, a bustling highrise city, and a far cry from Marrakech. Tourist attractions are limited in the centre of town, so we wandered the streets near our hotel.

      First mission was lunch at a local shawarma shop (yiros/doner in a pocket bread) - this one was in the backstreets, has one item on the menu, and had a queue of locals hanging out the door (always a good sign). They make the bread in real time at the back of the shop, fill the warm bread with freshly carved meat and top it with salads. Delicious!

      We visited the supermarket on the meandering walk back to the hotel, and had dinner at a pasta restaurant nearby.
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    • Day 40

      Moschee Hassan II in Casablanca

      March 12, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

      Ich war gerade in der drittgrössten Moschee der Welt und der grössten Moschee von Afrika. Nur noch im Iran und in der Türkei stehen Grössere Moacheen. Hier passen 25.000 Menschen rein. Von aussen wirkte sie schon sehr ergreifend, als ich drin war ich so gerührt, dass ich fast weinen musste.
      Ich war schon in vielen grösseren Tempeln, aber diese Ergriffenheit habe ich bisher nur in Rom im Petersdom gespürt.
      Zum Ende habe ich mich hingekniet und gebetet, ich glaube ich war die einzige.
      Irgendwie war es mir egal, ob ich jetzt zu Allah, zu Mohammed oder Gott bete.
      Es wird mich schon jemand gehört haben.
      Eben habe ich gelesen, dass sich das gesamte Dach der Moschee öffnen lässt!!
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    • Day 3

      Into Casablanca

      March 15, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      I made it to Casablanca with a beautiful sunrise. I got my accommodation driver to pick me up rather than try and get the train or convince a taxi driver to drive the quickest route!
      I'm glad I did as my accommodation is a Ryad ( guesthouse) in the middle of a Medina (market stalls) in the old town. Probably never would have found it!!

      Went for a long walk until my room was ready. I remembered how much I love exploring new places!!
      Casablanca is a port city and has 2 "people beaches".

      There's new clean buildings and lots of old rundown suburbs like any city, but they do all have a satellite dish!!

      Then I had an afternoon nap and fell into the trap of sleeping through so now it's 2am and I'm writing an update 😊

      This morning I'm booked to do a half day tour of Casablanca, we meet at Rick's Cafe of Casablanca the Movie fame.

      There's no Telstra roaming reception in Morocco so I can only communicate when there's wifi available. So via Messenger and email.
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    • Day 4

      The Medina and Beyond tour

      March 16, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Today was supposed to be a 4 hour walking/ bit of car tour of part of the city where I am - the Old Medina and mosques, etc. Turned out we just kept on going further and ended up with a 7 hour tour instead!! No extra charge!

      We met at Rick's Cafe of the movie Casablanca fame.
      There were 5 of us on tour, - a couple from Italy and a couple from San Antonio, Texas. We all got on really well and was sad to leave them really.
      Our guide was called Mohammed.

      So we walked some and a taxi drove us lots as well.
      Our guide gave us an added extra of a tour inside the Hassan II Mosque. An inside tour wasn't the deal but he took us on a private tour with himself. The other couples had to pay, I didn't because I was on an Intrepid tour or something, still don't quite get it but ok thanks 😊. It was a bit special today also because the inside was all lit up because some dignitaries had just been in. There'll be 2 pages of just photos of this Mosque, it is very beautiful. The Casablancans are very proud of it because "it is built on the water" (reclaimed land) and it has the highest minuret in Africa.

      We visited other mosques and churches. A museum or 2. Saw the slums and the rich area plus the King's home when he's in Casablanca. Apparently he lives mostly in Rabat.

      We visited the old Medina near me plus the new Medina, including an olive tasting, mint tea, pastries. There was a local rug auction in the street.
      Medina means the old walled part of a North African town

      We didn't get lunch until 3.30! Imagine how hangry I was feeling, but so was my Texan friend 😂. So eventually we had a targine of choice. Mine was chicken with lemon and olives, very nice.

      Then hometime so had another wander in the Medina markets here. Bought a couple of pottery things. I also went to the train station to buy a Telecom Maroc sim card. The bloke at the shop activated it all for me. Google maps won't work without data

      Then a light tea of a lovely Moroccan soup with bread and olives with their Moroccan mint tea.

      Turned out to be a big day.
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    • Day 5

      Moving house

      March 17, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

      Today is time to leave my Ryad and move to a hotel to join the first tour.

      Before I left I found a post office and posted some souvenirs and an excess drink bottle back home......already!!!
      I've tried to pack light but still don't have room for any excess stuff. So as I had decided to post a box, I found another nice souvenir and actually found a lapel pin with the Moroccan flag. I collect one from every country so now I have the obligatory Moroccan souvenirs, so if I don't get anymore ( no room) I'll be happy.

      My lovely reception lady at the Ryad suggested I get the tramway to my next hotel. It's only 3 km away but a bit of a trek with luggage.
      Turns out it was a great suggestion as both ends of the journey are very close to the hotels. And only 8 dirhams or about $1 AUD. I had a very helpful tram assistant show me how to get my ticket. It's a cardboard ticket but must have a microchip or something in it because you tap on and off like in Australia. Felt right at home. Followed Google maps so I knew when to get off. Hotel Al Walid was right there.
      If I'd taken a taxi I could have ended up anywhere!!

      There's also a major train station here so went to Starbucks for a salad lunch. A bloke came in and looked at me twice and said " you were at the Ryad yesterday weren't you?" I looked at him twice and answered "yes, that's right you were at breakfast!" Nice to be noticed 😂 He's on his way on the train up to Tangier.

      Casablanca has been a cultural immersion for sure. Not just the cultural expectations but the fact the English is not a first language, it's probably a fourth. I was told that there are now more English speaking tourists than French ones now so that might change. English is taught in high school apparently but not high on their agendas.
      I feel comfortable pretending I'm a local and so don't tend to get picked on too much if I look like I'm "on business". Have learnt it's ok to be rude (with a smile) to the men who hassle you for a taxi ride or go into their market stall.

      When people ask where I'm from I show them my kangaroo key chain on my bag and say Australia!! Most people know the kangaroo. "You from Sydney?" Ummm, no.

      Traffic is chaotic with lots of horn bipping. There are many pedestrian crossings but driver's ignore them so crossing a road can be perilous. I generally go with the thought that there's safety in numbers so usually cross with others or if a car actually stops!

      I'm ready to move on and be a part of a group now.
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    • Day 7

      Casablanca 🤟

      May 1, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

      Nach erholsamen Schlaf 💤erwacht wurde das Lager geräumt und alles wieder sicher verstaut. Danach mit dem 🚕 ab nach Casablanca rein um eine der größten Mosheen der Welt zu besuchen.

      Als Geschenk an den König, in den späten 80igern gegebaute und 20.000 m² große Moshee war der Wahnsinn.

      Schuhe 👟 aus und los....🏃‍♂️
      Wir haben die Gelegenheit genutzt und unsere Rufe 🕌 wurden erhört.😁

      Noch einen leckeren Kaffee ☕️ und ab zurück zu den Autos... weiter Richtung Süden. ZIEL 🤷‍♂️ irgendwo am Wasser🌊 vielleicht
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    • Day 27

      Un petit coup de coeur pour le wydad

      May 20, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

      En baladant je suis tombé sur un hommage des supporters du wydad , j ai pas pu m empêcher de approcher ce joyeux cortège , en bon marseillais la ferveur de ces supporters ça m as rappelé la maison !
      Bon ils sont vraiment un ton au dessus quand même niveau ferveur , le tout accompagné de la gentillesse légendaire des marocains qui même ultra ont pris le temps de m expliquer la raison :
      Un hommage à un membre disparu et la victoire en champions league plus tôt dans l après midi
      Forza wydad !!!
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Casablanca, إقليم الدار البيضاء

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