Casablanca, Morocco: I slept like a baby overnight, but my aged husband was awake quite a bit from the boat moving from side-to-side (instead of up and down on previous rough days). This was due to us traveling south along the northern coast of Africa. By the time I woke, we had already docked in Casablanca - a massive port city of more than 4 million people. I fear our sleep with not be restful tonight as we are docked smack-dab in the middle of a busy working port, and we are completely surrounded by cargo ships, containers and busy cranes. Another luxury cruise ship, the Atlas World Traveller, is docked next to us.
Our ship will dock in Casablanca two nights, so for today, Dave and I booked a 4-hour "city highlights" tour, which really turned out to be kinda a bust. The first stop was to the famed Hassan II Mosque, but we could not go inside (for some reason, but we have booked a private tour for tomorrow, so stayed tuned).
After the brief stop at the mosque, we (there were 20 people on our tour) went to a beach cafe that was very nice for (included) Moroccan mint tea and pastries. Both were spectacular and the beaches were wide, clean and busy with boys playing football/soccer. The area south of the mosque is lined with fancy homes, hotels, beach cafes and private beach clubs - complete with swimming pools. Then we had a driving tour through the "Beverly Hills" of Casablanca, with very nice mansions, a golf course and polo club. Our guide said the homes were owned by wealthy businessmen, ambassadors, politicians, expatriates, and members of the royal family - and also members of other African royal families.
As with basically any tour, there was a stop to a gift shop of some type. This one was a government-run craft shop with set prices, featuring Moroccan crafts (and one small table with Made in China magnets, bottle openers, and shot glasses. Why?). There were a lot of leather handbags, and some were made of camel hide. The shop had a great selection of beautiful wool and silk carpets, mosaics, metal trinket boxes, spices, and many things made with argan oil. The argan tree only grows in Morocco. The nut is pressed for oil, and the shells are used as cattle feed. The oil is essential in Moroccan cooking and is also used in hair and beauty products.
Next we were driven to a more modern medina. Casablanca has a medina, but as it is confined within ancient walls, the government began letting people build outside. The French were in charge at this time, so the streets are wide enough for a car, the streets are numbered and there is a bit of order to the madness. I only noticed all the gorgeous doors - most of which open to reveal a courtyard, with rooms surrounding.
We really didn't learn much the lives of people living here. It was Sunday, most shops were closed, there was no traffic, and we didn't see many people about. So, after walking by the Moroccan royal palace in Casablanca - seems the King has a palace in every major city - we headed back to the ship.
Walking from the tour bus to the ship, we ended up in a straggling group of 6 people. Us, and two couples from near Durham, England. We told them we had been to Durham and they were surprised, but it gave us something to chat about. Turns out both men in the group were named David. Oh goodness, were we all amused to learn all three men had the same name. Coincidence, I suppose, but as we boarded the ship, all pushed Deck 7 on the elevator, all walked down the same corridor, and all went into 3 cabins next to each other - that was just crazy odd.
We went to lunch on Deck 11 and chose a table on the starboard side of the Explora II. Miles and miles of containers. They are covered in dirt/dust, so have no idea how long they have been there... but they are all being moved around.
Meanwhile, back on the port side - the noisy action from our balcony:
After a rest, I edited the above photos while DT worked out. As we headed up to cocktails, we noticed the ship was very empty. When we went to dinner - Fil Rouge - with no reservations, we noticed there were less than a dozen people in the dining room, as so many passengers had taken hours-long tours outside the city. We were seated immediately and enjoyed lovely appetizers and entrees. The velvety corn soup is very good, and I have ordered it a few times already.
Next time, I will order veal "medallion" - not two. The potato casserole was good, but it wasn't hot (temperature), so that was a big bummer for me. Our server actually asked Dave how many lamb chops he would like. Dave said two, and was chastised. Certainly he could eat at least three? With few passengers on board tonight, I think the servers needed to keep themselves amused.
After dinner we saw so many people returning from 10-12 hours tours throughout Morocco. Marrakech. Rabat. They did look a little bedraggled. I think none of them went to dinner; they just went straight to bed. I bet they will have fun tales to tell tomorrow.
Passengers who went to Rabat were greeted with a few traffic snarls due to the Rabat Marathon. Our friend, Kate, ran the London Marathon today and finished under her goal time - while raising over £11,000 for a cancer charity. Go, Kate! So proud of you.
Until my next update, I remain, your "More Casablanca tomorrow" correspondent.
LINKS:
Morocco Tourism
Explora II
Current Ship Location