Morocco
| Morocco | ||
View from Grand Hotel Villa de France overlooking Tangier
Typical street view in the Medina of Tangier
The blue streets of Chefchaouen
We caught the south end of the multiple Atlantic storms hitting Iberian Peninsula and northern Morocco during February. This was the river going over it's edges and water flowing down the stairs
Public bakery. Several hundreds year old where local inhabitants take their baking for cooking. We even met a teacher that takes the embers home when the baker closes to warm her home.
Maybe the only house not painted blue was our accommodation, a Riad.
Mosque and University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes founded in 859 by Fatima Al-Fihri and one of the oldest spiritual and education centers in the Islamic world.
A UNESCO world heritage site. Tannery in Fes. They use pigeon shit, lime and cow urine to treat the animal skins. Serious interesting place and although we were warned about the small it was not bad at all.
Workers all come from 6 families that have been operating the tannery for centuries.
A local watchmaker.
One of the city gates to enter the Medina of Fes.
Arc de Triumph of the Roman-Berber town of Volubilis outside Meknes.
The white village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Islam pilgrimage site where the tomb of a direct descendent of Prophet Mohammed is located.
The inside of the Riad we stayed in Meknes.
The wines:
There are about 70 stork nests within the Chellah historic ruined city as well as many more outside.
Royal guard outside the tomb of Mohammed V in Rabat
Coastal city of Rabat's Kasbah. Natural harbour in the river, but waves from Atlantic were coming up the river.
Hassan 2nd Mosque:
This mosque is one of the very few Islamic sites where non-muslims are allowed. It is open to tourist-tours outside of prayer times. Very impressive
Diner at Rick's cafe. A replica of Humphrey Bogart's character in the movie Casablanca. Full for 2 seatings the 2 nights we were there. Book in advance if you plan to go.
Typical roofs in the palaces we saw all over Morocco
Snake Charmers in the Jemaa El Fnaa square in Marrakesh.
Marrakesh is VERY touristic with all kind of souvenirs for sale in the Medina
Jemaa El Fnaa is the main square with snake charmers, traditional musicians, street performers, food and juice stalls. It is truly a sensory overload. At night a whole bunch of restaurants set up shop here.
Berber woman making Argan oil.
Lunch at the river in the Ourika Valley.
Ballooning south of Marrakesh. High Atlas mountains i the background and Marrakesh can be seen.
We counted over 60 balloons in the morning.
Good-bye from Morocco. What a fantastic trip.
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We flew directly to Tangier from Barcelona. Morocco in February is ideal for free-range exploration or wandering the narrow lanes of the Medina(walled part)and colourful Kasbah (citadel). During our visit, a storm brought heavy rain, canceling school and turning this already small Medina into something of a ghost town. It made for a quiet, atmospheric introduction to our first Moroccan Medina:(arabesque doors, Phoenician tombs, Jewish cemetery, delicious food and even local wine) Arriving at Ibn Battuta airport in Tangier, it only seemed fitting to visit the museum dedicated to its namesake. Ibn Battuta was the most famous Muslim trail blazer and explorer visiting 38 countries over a remarkable 30 year span, all this during the 14th Century) Henri Matisse once painted from the window in the Grand Hotel Villa de France during his long stays from 1912 to 1913. His room has been transformed into a museum. Matisse went on to incorporate strong Moroccan influence into his art, particularly with the use of bold colours. After 2 days in Tangier we took a taxi to Chefchaouen which
truly has a unique photogenic Medina with walls, doors and even streets painted in hues from powder blue to indigo. Sadly we could not go into the mountains due to the flash floods and washed out roads, so onward to Fes........ Fes is one of Morocco’s former imperial cities with a large Medina filled with narrow alleyways, majestic palaces, madrases and mosques, mosaic fountains, wooden doors with arabesque designs, a cornucopia of souks (markets) and of course... dead ends! From Fes we continued by train to Meknes (or Meknez). A half hour train ride from Fes, this colourful city of contrasts was a former 17thC imperial capital city of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Due to his ambitious and defensive planning Meknes has 40 km of walls and ramparts, both inner and outer walls with beautifully decorated mosaic gates-truly fortified! His mausoleum is equally well adorned with fountains, mosaics and arches. The Medina is vibrant with markets and colourful alleys. In the fertile plains of Meknez, is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in North Africa, VOLUBILIS, from 3rdC BCE. Romans designated the Berber aristocrat, Juba the 2nd of Mauritania, as king from 50 BCE to 24 CE. He was married to Anthony & Cleopatra’s daughter! The impressive monuments were built in the 2-3rd C CE, including the Triumphant arch, the basilica, & baths. Where there where Romans…there will be wine! We had a super wine tasting at Villa Volubilia, served with local fresh goat cheese and olive oil. Who would have imagined visiting a vineyard in Morocco! Onwards to RABAT Morocco’s capital city, Rabat, is modern and organized with a picturesque Kasbah, hassle-free Medina, Atlantic coastline, 12thC Mohammed the 5th mausoleum, the incomplete 12thC Hassan Tower and mosque, Royal Palace, Grand theatre, and the historic Chellah’s scenic gardens, Roman ruins and the noisy storks as they click their beaks. The Chellah, perhaps a former Phoenicien then Roman fortification (3rdC BCE to 5thC CE) lies on the top of a hill overlooking green fertile land. The Chellah saw much building during the 13-15thC Islamic period. Next city and another train ride down the coast was CASABLANCA. This is a modern, vibrant coastal city with a beautiful corniche, exquisite Hassan the 2nd Mosque, a super mix of arabesque and art deco architectural styles. as well as a cinematic tribute bar/restaurant to the movie Casablanca: Rick’s Café. Opened March 1, 2004 the place was designed to recreate the set of the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Rick's Café Casablanca was developed by Kathy Kriger (1946–2018), a former American diplomat and commercial attaché in Morocco. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Moroccan grand mansion with a central courtyard, built in 1930. Our last stop was MARRAKECH, the red city, is certainly one of contrasts with high end oasis resorts, wine bars, and top restaurants. While not far from the city nearing the High Atlas Mountains you find humbling Berber homes with scenic Mountain views. The large Medina with 9km of walls was much easier to navigate and less intimidating than Fes. You just have to give way to cars, bikes, motorbikes, or donkey carts! Overall Morocco was a feast for all 5 senses and we would highly recommend traveling outside of the peak tourist season.
Best regards, Lynne and Atle
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