Shokran for the Memories

28-Oct-23

NB: Shokran means thank you in Arabic & it's pretty much the only Arabic word we remembered 😸

Our last day in Morocco was a whirlwind of a drive. We arrived in the capital city of Rabat for just a few hours to hit the highlights. It's only been the capital city since independence in 1955; before that it was a haven for 17th century Barbary pirates, which means it must have a crazy cool history...but sadly, no time for that.  

Rabat's old city wall

Our first view of the Moroccan coastline!

We drove past its two modern icons: the brand new Mohammed VI Tower and the sinuous Grand Théâtre of Rabat, designed to either mimic the flow of the Bou Regreg River or the curvature of Arabic calligraphy. Or maybe both!

Mohammed VI Tower 

Grand Théâtre of Rabat

Hassan Tower was our main reason for visiting. The 12th century minaret was constructed as the first part of a much larger planned mosque complex however, the only the support columns of the mosque were ever erected. The sultan at the time (grandson of the founder of Rabat) meant for it to be the largest religious monument in all of Africa. He died before its completion and the project was abandoned. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake (yup, that SAME one) toppled the columns & only the ruins are left standing. 

Mausoleum of Mohammed V (d. 1961), which houses the remains of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II. The mausoleum, completed in 1971

Mohammed V was the sultan of Morocco starting in 1927 and became its first king in 1957 after securing Moroccan independence from France. He was much beloved - as streets & buildings all over the country are named after him - and was interred in a beautifully ornate mausoleum after his death in 1961. His sons were later also entombed there. 

Guard at entrance

Mausoleum 

Mohammed V's tomb

I will never NOT be impressed by these ceilings!

Of course there was a cat hanging around

As we were heading down the (Atlantaaaa) highway, several motorcycle cops pushed everyone off to the side as a row of luxury cars sped past. At first our guide told us it must be the king, so we all got excited! However, as the cars drove past, he recognized only one of the drivers, who was the king's son. So...less exciting, but still kind of exciting. I was only able to get a glimpse of his car 😆

The tour saved Morocco's most famous city for last! Casablanca is by far the country's largest, most cosmopolitan, & diverse locale - it's a shame we only had half a day to explore it. The layers of Casablanca's rich history in brief: founded in the 7th century BCE; used as a port by both the Phoenicians and Romans; colonized by both the Portuguese & Spanish; fell under British colonial rule in the 19th century (think tea & gunpowder); French colonial rule in the first half of the 20th century; played a major role (for the Allies) in WWII, which helped propel the country to independence in the 1950s. 

The main reason the tour comes here is to visit the Hassan II Mosque (built in 1993), it's the only mosque on our route that allows non-Muslims to enter. It's also the largest mosque in Africa, with an indoor capacity of 25,000 & 80,000 outside in the plaza. We had so little time in the city that Nick had to prioritize the Spanish Clásico soccer match over visiting the mosque. So we split up & out your guide was very sad he could not join Nick instead 🙃

Main prayer room

Men pray on the main floor while the women use the raised wooden platforms along the sides

The mosque is built right next to the ocean (which can be seen next to the plaza and through the windows) to honor a line in the Quran about how "God's throne is on the water". 

Ablution room below the mosque

Right after the mosque we had to say a sad farewell to our tour guides and our new Aussie friends, as they were continuing on to Marrakesh to catch their flight the next day (ours was out of Casablanca). It's a shame that the goodbye was rushed and that our last night would be split up but we tried to make the most of it and see as much of the famed city as we could via (say it with me!) a free walking tour - this time at night! 

Heading into the souk

Oldest mosque in town

Walls surrounding the medina (old town)

Hassan II Mosque lit up at night

The full moon was actually much prettier than my camera can capture

The full moon lit up the ocean beautifully!

Before saying goodbye to my cousin Kate, we had to give our trip a "Hollywood ending" by having dinner at Rick's Café. It's totally fake & overpriced but the food & the house cocktail were delicious! Even though the 1942 film was never shot here & the bar from the movie never existed, we were totally game to play along. 😜 The restaurant has only been around since 2004 & solely for the purpose of Western travelers like ourselves, but it was built in a restored 1930s Moroccan mansion & the live music fit right in, so there's that - LOL 😄