Blogs from Grand Casablanca, Morocco, Africa - page 12

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 the hiccups.... read more

Very early tomorrow Daddy and I will be flying from Luton to Madrid and then on to Casablanca. We will be staying in an apartment right opposite the Hassan II mosque!... read more

The walk to the train station took no time at all and we bought the tickets with no problems. The train was comfortable even in second class; it puts England’s trains to shame. We arrived in Casablanca slightly early and were the absolute last people to get off the train. We deliberately chose a hotel near the station so that we wouldn't waste the day looking for a place to stay. Unfortunately we walked around the block to get to Hotel Central but it was still worth it. It was cheaper than the price given in Lonely Planet and it was the first place in Morocco that actually felt like a hotel. The staff were really friendly and let us know that it was safe to walk to the mosque despite the warnings in the guidebook. ... read more

So we have all heard of Casablanca. Humphry Bogart running a bar in French Morocco and hanging out with the ex-pats. Its a sultry image, a stylish and cosmopolitan enclave in Africa. In reality, Casablanca is nothing like its Hollywood image. But then again, what is? Real-life Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, although not its capital (Rabat) and as such it is a busy and sprawling city with an affluent centre that gradually extends out into more residential and communal areas. Apart from the modern nightclubs and restaurants that line the coast, it is true that Casablanca is not a stunning city. It is not red like Marrakesh, or blue like the village in the north that is featured on all the postcards. It is a working city more than a tourist centre, and ... read more

Rabat and Casablanca got placed on our agenda not so much because we wanted to see them as much as they were in our way, their positions on the Atlantic making them unavoidable if we wanted to follow the coast road south. Both turned out to have their own interest (or are we simply interestable?) making them worth the few days we spent in each. Rabat was the logical place to meet the coast on way west from Meknes, especially since we'd timed our arrival to coincide with a big storm blowing in off the Atlantic. We arrived ready to hunker down at the Hotel Splendide, picked from the Lonely Planet as a good compromise between its location in the downtown area and its proximity to the medina - plus the price, natch', which yielded a ... read more