Casablanca.... and the beginning of the long way round Morocco.... Part 1 of 4

I've just hit the beaches of Morocco on the Atlantic Coast for a few days R and R before I head to Hong Kong to see Sarah. I apologise for the deluge of photos and narrative that follows, but Morcco has been an assault on all my senes and I can't help but want to share every bit..... I am exhausted - it's been busy, dirty and tiring - but laden with food that beggars belief in terms of its deliciousness and quality (the best food I've had in over four wonths!!) and once we found it, some of the best wine I think I've ever tasted.... Tagines, couscous, lamb - real lamb, not goat lamb - awesome.... and not too much manipulated fruit as I worried there would be.



Casablanca nearly rated in the same category as Montevideo, especially when the taxi driver told me to wind up my window as someone was likely to reach in and rob my mobile from my hands...... However Hussein II Mosque is the one redeeming feature of an otherwise dirty filthy stinking port town..... Having seen the poverty in the Atlas regions since I am horrified that the government could spend that much money (it's enormous - holding over 20,0000 worshippers -and extravagantly OTT) with so many hungry people everwhere....

Hussein II Mosque; set on the Atlantic Ocean

The main prayer hall

Inside it even has it's own Hammam (baths)

The detailed stucco work on the walls and cielings was amazing.....

.....as were the mosaics.....

....and arches.....

.....and doorways......

And so begins my love affair with Morocco. Like any relationship - we've had our ups and downs, but I'm a sucker for the the good looking who provide good food and wine (though it was hard to find) in abundance.....

From Casablanca I met up with the group I'd travel with through the hairier regions - a bunch of chicks and a fag (Henry's words)....... and caught the train to Meknes.

Meknes is one of the four Imperial Cities, and its colour is Blue. It was a small place and often overlooked by tourists - so we had the run of the place. It is also the best wine producing region of Morocco (hello!!).My group included a local guide in the Medina and through the Souk (market) which was really enjoyable.... here's the pictorial journey.....

.....and then it was off to Fes - another imperial city, and just as beautiful..... bigger and noisier, but it truly felt like Morocco.... The Medina was enormous and took a couple of days to explore fully - well, really I could have spent a week there and still not done it justice.....

The Medersa (old Muslim University) in Fes Medina.....

The Tannery in the Medina was the worst smell I've ever smelt!! The skins are dyed in these clay vats....

I'm glad I don't have room in my bag - I could have done some serious damage with regard to the purchase of handbags.

The ladies all over Morocco make the bread dough at home and then either they or their kids take it to the local bakery to be cooked..... for about 12 cents AUD per loaf....

ThHere are more cats here than Egypt and they are thankfully much better cared for. And, its kitten season!

The city of Fes.....

The Fes Kings Palace doors (one of seven anyway).....

Henry had just made a joke about knobs and knockers - I'm trying not to laugh having just pointed out that it should be knob singular as to the best of my knowledge I don't have one and I'm guessing he only has one..... the details in the doors and mosaics was really intricate.....

.....and the Jewish cemetery in Fes..... just before it was goodbye greenery, hello desert.....