Morrocco Day 12 - Casablanca

We caught the train, second class, to Casablanca from Marrakech, a smooth but hot trip through a flat, brown landscape. A couple of stops along the way and the drinks man delivered 'cappuccino '.

We are staying in our first Morroccan Airbnb tonight and have received detailed instructions from our host, Sami, who lives in England. It seems a lot of the Airbnbs are owned by expats, local and from abroad..

Well, our arrival in Casablaca was smooth. We caught the brand new tram from the station into the city with help from a lovely young student heading into town to try sushi for the first time. Using Maps.me, Mike got us to the apartment which is just around the corner from the posh hotels. After  negotiating the lift to the fifth floor, we were met by Inman who showed us how everything worked and helped us get a petit taxi to the Hassan 11 Mosque. The mosque was hidden by a thick sea mist, we couldn't even see the top as we wandered around the huge forecourts.

The mosque was closed so we walked along the shore (yuck) where several men were fishing in the rough waters crashing into the breakwater. We were headed to Rick's Cafe (of Casablanca the movie fame, even though the movie wasn't shot in Morrocco) but it was also closed. No problems,we decided to wander through the medina back to the centre. Well, it's grubby and rough and not very pleasant at all. None of the locals eateries appealed so we headed to the Sofitel, but at $10 per drink decided to self-cater. Mike came to the rescue again and found the supermarket and bottle shop.

Back home we enjoyed the view from the terrace- busy main road, grubby buildings, airconditioners etc, during drinks and then watched Casablanca on T.V. Thanks again Mike for bringing along entertainment for places just like Casablanca.

We headed back to the Hassan 11 Mosque in the morning for a tour of this majestic building. Again it was hidden by a thick mist. Built over six years, it opened in 1998 and an house 25,000 worshippers inside with another 80,000 outside. So it's huge, the third largest after Mekka and Medina in Saudi Arabia. (Though this is the second time we've been to the third largest Mosque, the last one was in Córdoba, Spain.) It was built from local Morroccan materials - cedar wood, marble, granite etc. only the massive chandeliers (Venetian) and two white pillars were imported. Designed by a non-Muslim Frenchman who was a friend of the King, it cost $800 million and was funded mainly through donations.

Dressed up and ready to visit, arms and knees covered. (Though our guide, appointed by the mosque had bare arms)

Ground level is the main prayer room with wooden balconies above for women.

Below is the ablutions area where worshippers wash three times before prayers. Many large marble fountains spread throughout, one area for men the other for women.

The last bit we saw was the Hammam, or steam bathroom which has a central pool heated to 33 degrees. When it's opened it will be available to any members of the public but it seems opening day may never eventuate.

 Next stop, Meknes, about three hours away by train.