Casablanca Travel Blogs

Africa

Antarctica

Asia

Central America Caribbean

Travel Blog » Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Casablanca Travel Blogs

Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September 2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.

Morocco

Map of Morocco

Morocco's Flag

Latest Casablanca Blog Entries
Casablanca Photos

By Desert Crossing
August 21st 2008

Sam! You played it for her, you can play it for me!

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Rick! Rick! "It doesn't matter what we want, it does't matter what we say... if you don't get on that plane, you're gonna regret it for the rest of your life... I figure the problems of two kids like us don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy, crazy world- somday you'll understand that. Maybe not today; maybe not tommorow, but someday." There is a Rick's; built in late 2004 so probably not authentic. No sign yet of Sam or That Song. [View Full Entry]

By Georg
July 24th 2008

Teil 2 - Über den Dächern von Casablanca...

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

McMorocco - 'round the world the same

Hi, Nun bin ich schon seit fast 4 Wochen hier in Casablanca und habe mich schneller als anfangs geglaubt, an das marokkanische Alltagsleben in dieser teils extrem chaotischen, aber interessanten Stadt gewöhnt. Relativ schnell hört man auf sich über diverse marokkanische oder afrikanische Eigenheiten zu wundern und sieht es als normal an tagtäglich am Weg zum Büro 8-spurige Boulevards ohne Ampeln im Eiltempo zwischen fließendem Verkehr zu überqueren, immer im Versuch sowohl den irren Taxifahrern als auch den Esel-Karren auszuweichen - ganz zu schweigen von den Mopedfahrern, für die hier o [View Full Entry]

By RickFromBaltimore
July 17th 2008

I've been Robbed... well kind of..

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Old Medina

I know I am writing this a little late but the last week has been busy and my stomach just got back to normal. On Thursday the 17th of July we traveled to Casablanca from Tiflet. Once I checked into the Hotel... My recommendation is the Sheraton Casablanca.. Great hotel and staff. We went to the ancient area of Medina. There I purchased Shirts and drums for the boys. It is a very lively place with plenty of shops for buying all things Moroccan. If your in Casablanca it's a tourist trap but hey your friends and family wants things from [View Full Entry]

By Yobca
July 15th 2008

Essaouira - Casablanca

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Casablanca
Caro devant la mosquée Hassan II

Essaouira, le 13 et 14 juillet... Nous voilà à Essaouira pour une journée. Le trajet de 4h en bus fut assez difficile : pas de clim, chauffeur fou et odeur nauséabonde (ils distribuaient des sacs plastiques pour soulager l'estomac des passagers...). L'arrivée fut tout aussi désagréable : vendeurs et rabbateurs nous ont presque littéralement sautés dessus. Cela dit, une fois posées dans notre petite cabane (au fond du jardin...) sur le toit de l'hôtel (68 marches avec sac sur le dos ... warriors !!) tout allait mieux. Nous avons visité la médina, la plage, eu le temps de déguster un bon [View Full Entry]

By amyw
July 5th 2008

Morroco! Salamo Alikom

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

the medina in Casablanca!

I arrived in Morocco! Yay! Got a ride in a shuttle van to my hotel & arrived to get some real sleep at about 3am. Ahhh. Beth came up to meet me later that morning (she flew into Marrakech) & we were off to explore Casablanca. It's essentially a town of grey buildings & white taxis. The medina (city center with shopping, food & living spaces--enclosed by a wall) was ok--lots of cheap clothes (i saw some 'Calvin Klain' underwear) amongst other things. Then after my first Moroccan meal (couscous & chicken--pretty good), we were off by train to Rabat. Now [View Full Entry]

the beautiful entrance to the walled medina, Casablanca

Beth & I outside the Tour Hassan...this is my other outfit..yes, I have 2. =)

the masoleum of the previous 2 kings: Mohammed V & Hassan II

By Georg
July 3rd 2008

Casablanca - der erste Eindruck

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Street Sign

Was mein erster Gedanke war als ich erfahren hatte, dass ich einen Job in Casablanca, Marokko bekommen hatte? Gedacht hatte ich mir eigentlich ziemlich viel, nur hatte ich nicht einen Bruchteil einer Ahnung, was mich erwarten würde... Mit dem Namen dieser Stadt verbindet man ja relativ viel - nur nicht was die Stadt eigentlich wirklich ist... Der gleichnamige Film, an den die meisten vermutlich gedacht haben (Stimmt's? Sei ehrlich!) hat mit dieser Stadt rein gar nichts gemeinsam und bis vor kurzem hatte ich ihn nicht einmal noch gesehen. Was diese Stadt dann eigentlich ist? Eine typische [View Full Entry]

By SusieQ3443
June 1st 2008

Casablanca

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Negotiating
Pushy taxi drivers crowd around you as soon as you stop off the shuttle. Very irritating.

Casablanca--sounds so romantic. "You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh..." We will remember this!! Not because of a kiss or a sigh, but because of the filth and deceit. We all agreed that this was our least favorite port for a number of reasons. Several of us took the shuttle from the ship into the center of town. We were hoping that we could negotiate a tour similar to the one we had gotten in Gilbraltar. A taxi that could carry 7 of us for a good price. We were wrong!!! Immediately [View Full Entry]

By guitbob
April 30th 2008

Casa

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Casablanca ist ziemlich wie ich es mir vorgestellt habe. Breite Strassenschluchten durch den sich eine stählerne Lawine zwängt, umsäumt von kleineren Läden in denen es verschiedenste Dinge zu kaufen gibt. An besseren Orten ist das eine oder andere Café platziert mit Sicht auf die bewegende Szenerie oder in einen kleinen grünen Park. Alles scheint ein bisschen heruntergekommen, nicht sehr gepflegt, ich denke Casablanca hat schon bessere Zeiten erlebt. Ein steter Smog liegt in den Strassen und über der Stadt obwohl ein steter Wind die Temperaturen sehr erträglich machen. Ein leichtes Jäckchen is [View Full Entry]

By Max L
March 28th 2008

Casablanca

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Cathedral from Gardens

This morning we got a taxi to the Cathedral. It is not being used any more, but it has lovely stained glass windows. We climbed up the tower which was full of pigeon poo. At the top we could see the sea and the whole of the city. Then we walked through the gardens and round the art deco part of the city. We saw the market which was full of fish, oysters, fruit, veges and dates. Then we had chicken + chips for lunch. In the afternoon we went to the beach but it got cooler and windy. I have [View Full Entry]

By Max L
March 27th 2008

Off to Morocco

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque
The mosque is huge; photo taken at sunset.

We got up at 4am and drove to Luton airport. We flew to Madrid and waited 3 hours for our flight to Casablanca. We arrived at 3.45 and got on a train to the city. On the train we met a man who used to play football in the Moroccan top league, and then the 2nd division in Finland. He was very friendly. When we got off the train we caught a taxi to our apartment which has a great view of the Hassan II mosque and the Atlantic. I slept very well. [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca