Little Lolly's Small Adventures: Casablanca, Morocco. Excursion: Ultimate Morocco: Casablanca & Rabat.

The Prinsendam arrived in Casablanca to gorgeous weather - a nice change from the rainy/overcast days we have had.

The tour I was assigned to was soon out an about with our first stop at Hassan II Mosque which is the second largest mosque in the Islamic world. We were able to walk around the outside in the courtyards and see the beautiful architecture of the site. It is built next to the coastline so we could look back towards the city of Casablanca. Unfortunately this tour didn't include a visit inside the mosque but from the outside it was very impressive - probably a taste of what it would be like inside.

Mohammed V Square

We met up with our bus at a different spot and discovered that a guest was missing. His wife said that during the tour her husband had decided to leave the group and head to the bus, not realising we were picking up the bus at a different spot. The bus driver turned the bus around and went to fetch the missing guest from the original drop off point. Fortunately he was waiting there. Moral of the story? Never leave the group without letting the guide know so that he can advise where and when to meet up.

Our next visit was to Mohamed V Square where we had a photographic stop and admire the surrounding architecture. A few men dressed in traditional costume were on hand for visitors to take photographs of themselves with them - for a nominal fee of course.

Next, we had a wander around the Habous quarter to give us an idea of Moroccan life. We walked along narrow streets, past a mosque and down alleyways. We saw communal houses where large families live. (Polygamy is allowed, and common, therefore a man can have a few wives and children within the same huge house.) We should have seen souks but if there were any I didn't see them because I was trying to keep the stragglers and slower walkers from getting lost, and hardly had time to look around.

Guard outside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

We re-boarded our bus and headed to Rabat with its wide boulevards, white buildings and gardens. Our first stop was to see the outside of the Royal Palace. Unfortunately I didn't get to hear what the guide said because of keeping an eye on the stragglers. But I did manage to get a few photographs so that was good.

Next we visited the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V which contains the tombs of the late Moroccan king and his two sons. There were mounted horsemen on the outside of the walled area and guards in traditional clothing guarding the outside of the mausoleum itself.

We were all hungry by the time we finished so we headed back to the bus and were dropped off somewhere in town and had a short walk through narrow streets to a traditional restaurant, Dar Rbatia

The inside of the traditional restaurant was a beautiful. It had an inner courtyard on the ground floor which was surrounded by an upper level so one could look down onto the square and see other people eating their meals. Narrow restaurant rooms led off the sides of the balconies. Inside these rooms there were beautiful and ornate with curtains, carpets, cushions, low chairs and table. Lunch was superb! We had salads, chicken, couscous with beef and vegetables, fruit, tea, pastries and a choice of drinks, and water.

L’oudaya Kasbah

Feeling full and well nourished, we headed back to our bus for a short drive to our next stop, L’oudaya Kasbah, where we had a walking tour of a traditional medina or old town. The walled town's streets were narrow and cobbled, and a bit like a labyrinth. Our poor guide was genuinely concerned about stragglers getting lost, including me as I was bringing up the rear, and was constantly running up and down the group as we went along, counting and making sure that nobody had disappeared. I was with a woman whose sight wasn't good so progress was a bit slow. We passed by a few small shops and a few open air stalls selling leather goods and crafts. We stopped in the village square where mint tea was served. Sellers walked amongst us trying to sell small trinkets, and a woman tried to get guests to have a henna tattoo done. I didn't want one but the woman grabbed my hand and said it was for 'free' and then promptly demanded money after drawing a pattern on my arm. Needless to say I was not happy but gave her a bit of money. She demanded more but I showed her my empty purse as proof. A few guests did have a henna tattoo and they looked really pretty. Now I have to wait for the henna 'goo' to dry out and then I can brush it off. It should leave a red stained pattern afterwards which will last a few days.

Waiting for the henna to dry - some of it has broken off already.

On the way back to the ship guests wanted to go shopping on the way back even though it was not on the tour itinerary. So our guide, Talal, put it to the vote. The majority said no, winning by about 2 or 3 hands. Talal called his boss who made the final decision: head back to port. Of course some people weren't too happy and one guest insisted it was on her printed itinerary. Another said he would demand his money back if we didn't go shopping. My thoughts? Well... if it is not on the itinerary I don't think you will have a leg to stand on, mate!

Throughout the day Talal made for a good guide. He was very informative and did his best to present Morocco’s history, and history of the places we visited, in the best way possible.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Casablanca - views from the bus