Our Travels

10 September 2017

10 MAY 2017.DAY 4. PART ONE.- RABAT MOROCCO

10 MAY 2017.DAY 4. PART ONE.- RABAT MOROCCO.

This is screenshot of Rabat Map.

It shows places of interest we saw In Rabat .

Screenshot map, above, gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map go here.. OR go to this link https://goo.gl/dEiFuJ

With this URL Interactive map should open in a new window.

To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel on the map :
1. The size of this map can be increased or decreased as with normal maps.

2. The panel gives contents of the map which are self explanatory.Placing the cursor on any item,say Royal Palace Rabat in this panel will highlight that item in the interactive map.

3. Click on Royal Palace Rabat in panel it will open an information window in the interactive map giving information about it. If photos about that place have been uploaded they will also show in the information window.

4. Similar action can be repeated for information on all other places given on interactive map.

DAY FOUR.

This was going to be our last day in Morocco.Also going to be a long day.As per plan we had to see Rabat AND Tangier before we leave Morocco For Spain.By a Ferry boat fr om Tarifa in Morocco to Sevelle in Spain.

Started from Hotel Les Almohades.,Casablanca round 0800.The road was quite good.

RABAT

As we entered Rabat we saw a procession Marching along with banners . reminded me of our protest marches in India . Local guide informed us that it was indeed a protest march organised by teachers who were agitating for better pay.Passing through Rabat City got the impression that it appeared to be a well planned and developing city.Finally reached Rabat Palace

Royal Palace Rabat.

Royal Palace of Rabat.

The Dar al-Makhzen as The Royal Palace is called locally has been the official Residence of Kings of Morocco since 700.Present building was constructed in 1864.
At the time of independence from the French in 1956 and even today,there were/are many properties and palaces of the Kings of Morocco.However Royal Palace at Rabat was selected and declared as the Main Official Residence of the Royal family.This Dar al-Makhzen should not be confused with Royal Place of Tengier which is also called "Dar al-Makhzen".

Tourist visitors are given entry through the "Ambassadors Gates"a of two massive entry & exit gates in the boundary walls surrounding the Palace Property.

Ambassador's Gates.

Before the security check gate there is parking and from here one has to walk up to the Royal Place.The way is fairly long through extensive gardens of french design with plants and species of varies plants and trees.For the first time I saw huge "Birds of Paradise" like flowers on a palm like tree.

Vast Palace Gardens.

"Birds of Paradise" flowers on a palm tree.

Finally we approached the Palace proper.There is very vast and large paved parade ground with decorative fountains and Cannons on display.Visitors are not allowed inside the palace.In fact they are not allowed to even cross the parede ground and aproach closer to the palace gate.We had to be satisfied with photos of the gate taken from a distance.

On both sides of the palace gate there are three guards . On the extreme right a guard from the Army , in the center from Police and on the left in white uniform from the personal guards of the King .

Besides the Royal Palace there is accomodation for King's personal guards , his important retainers.Also a Royal School / college for the children of the staff and the Royals and a Mosque.

In front of the Gate of Royal Palace.

Cannon and fountains.

Decorative fountains and water body.

Mosque and the School.

With this visit to Royal Palace was concluded and we went to the next attraction . In fact two of the Rabat attractions,Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V are colocated in the same area with a common Guard Post of Mounted guards.

Hassan Tower and Pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur was the Sultan of Morocco from 1160 to 1199.He wanted to build grand mosque with tallest minaret in the world. Work on this grand paln was commenced in 1195.

The minaret was raised to a height of 44 mtrs (140 ft) of intended height 86 mtrs (160 ft).Instead of stairs minaret had a ramp.The ramp was meant for the muezzin to ride a horse to call the devots to the prayer.

The mosque walls and 200 odd towers were also partially completed by 1199.

With untimely death of Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur in 1199 the work on the project was stopped and was never taken up by the following generations.

Hussain Tower is colocated with Mausoleum of Mohammed V . These two form two of the important tourist attractions of Rabat.

It was declared a World Heritage site in 2012.

Selfie at Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Musoleum of Mohammed V

The Mausoleum of Mohammed V is a historical building located on the opposite side of the Hassan Tower on the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade in Rabat.

SpectacularArchitectural Marval

The Mohamed V Mausoleum is another attraction in Rabat that is worth the visit. It is not only a perfectly preserved example of the Alaouite dynasty’s architectural style, but it is the final resting place of three significant members of the royal family. Here visitors and locals are able to pay their respect to these leaders and marvel at the detailed and beautifully designed mausoleum. It is both a tomb and a mosque and is one of the few holy places that are open to the public.

King Hassan II commissioned the construction of the Mausoleum of Mohamed V for his late father, Mohamed V, in the year 1962. Construction of the Mohamed V Mausoleum was completed in 1971. Sultan Mohamed V ruled over Morocco for two terms. The first was from the year 1927 to 1953 and again from 1957 to the year 1961. He is remembered and noted for his efforts in the fight for Morocco's independence. Both his sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah, were buried alongside him. It took the hard work of approximately four hundred men to build and complete the mausoleum that now stands as an architectural and historical masterpiece.

The Mausoleum of Mohamed V is located in the Yacoub Al Mansour Square and stands across from the Hassan Tower, another building that was commission by King Hassan II. It is easily recognizable by its white walls and green-tiled roof. The interior has been finished in white marble and granite floors and walls and a beautiful granite block with a headstone indicates the final resting place of the great king. The sliding doors and ceiling have also been carved in breathtaking motifs and designs. Spectacular chandeliers light up the room that is complete with red carpets on the stairs and flags. Throughout the entire mausoleum guests will see traditional artistic techniques combined with a touch of modern design; the design is as it was envisioned by its Vietnamese architect and creator.

This spectacular site and popular attraction in Rabat is an architectural marvel and a monument to a great ruler. Visitors will not be disappointed as it is truly a final resting place fit for a king.(Morocco Channel)

Mounted Guard Post for Hassan Tower and Musoleum of Mohammed V

Close-up Mounted guard.

Guard at the enrtance of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Tombs of Mohammed V,King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah

Beautiful and intricatelly carve and inlaid dome of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Beautiful and intricatelly carve and inlaid roof of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Beautiful and intricatelly carve and inlaid walls of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Decorative huge brass lightshades on both side of the stairs.

Kasba of Oudayas,

One of the gates of Kasba of Oudayas,

Kasbah means Citadle of a North African city containing original city, rathe to call it a village would be more appropriate.

A very unique tradition we found in north African cities and quite a few Europian cities, was that the old structures,houses etc of original old habitations in many cases almost devoid of any population were preserved and maintained in top condition.The streets therein are also in maintained in clean,spick and span state by the Government of the countery/city. This was done purely to make them a tourist attraction.We found that this formula works almost always.

It is located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river opposite Salé. The edifice was built in the 12th century during the reign of the Almohad Caliphate (AD 1121-1269). When the Almohads had captured Rabat and destroyed the kasbah of the Almoravid dynasty in the town, they began reconstructing it in AH 544 / AD 1150. They added a palace and a mosque and named it al-Mahdiyya, after their ancestor al-Mahdi Ibn Tumart. After the death of Yaqub al-Mansur (AH 595 / AD 1199) the kasbah was deserted.It was granted World Heritage Status in 2012.

Intircate and beautiful geometric designs on house walls. Damaged now due to being very old.

Typical doors and door knob in Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat.

Beautiful and well maintained Gardens of the Kasbah.

On the way out of Kasbah saw these ancient mortars at one of the gates Kasbah.

This was our sight seeimg of Rabat was over we went for lunch at Dar Rabat Restaurant for lunch.Best Moroccon lungh cooked in tagine(earthen cooking pot) we had during our Morocco tour.

After lunch left for Tangier.

Entrance to Restraurant Dar Rabatia. Had lunch here.

To see ALL photos of Day Four , Rabat AND Tangier go to or pste this URL in address bar https://goo.gl/toKCYa

Next blog on Tangier.

28 July 2017

09 MAY 2017.DAY 3. PART TWO - CASABLANCA , MOROCCO.

This is screenshot of Casablanca Map.

It shows places of interest we saw In Casablanca.

Screenshot map, above, gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map go here. OR go to this link https://goo.gl/yMjhfB.
How to navigate through interactive map has been explained earlier.

HASSAN II MOSQUE.

Hassan II Mosque.

sorry for bad pdoto,exremeties cut,luckly not by much.

On one of his birthday celeberations King Hassan of Morocco had stated his ambition in these words:

"I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time ... I want to build this mosque on the water, because God's throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God's sky and ocean".

Today vesitors to Hassan II mosque witneess the fulfillment of his wish. The work was commenced in 1980 and completed in 1993.However rather that standing "till end of time", in 2005 it was noticed that the foundations had eroded due to saltwater of the ocean. After three years of research a stronger cement and able to resist chlorine erosion was evolved.Restoration waork was carried out with molly grade stainless steel combined with this newly evolved high strength cement.Restoration work cost more than 50 million Euros. It is said the restoration work would extend life by more than 100 years.We can take it as "end of our time"

Hassan II Mosque is located on a platform half, the portion projecting in sea and the other half on land, covering an area of 22 acres.This location was selected due to one verse in Quran which says "God's thrown was builr on the water.

Central main prayer Hall is huge with a Length of 1000 meters (3300 ft) and width of 200 meters (660 ft). Prayer hall is enormous and can accommodate 25000 people. Outer court can accomodate additional 80000 people, thus, with a capacity of 1,05000 people Hassan II Mosque is the worlds 2nd largest Mosque, next only to that of Mosque of Medina.The main Prayer Hall is centrally heated.

Mosque structure, inside and out side,including the Prayer hall, is cement concrete covered beautifully and extensively with marble, decorated with cedar wood carvings, stucco art and zellij or Mosaic (Zellij is tilework made from individually chiseled geometric tiles set into a plaster base) to form intricate , colourful and fantistically beautiful geometric pattererns. In fact every inch of not only the prayer hall , Hammams complete but innner wall surfaces of the mosque as also the outer walls are fully covered ftom bottom to top in the above mentioned decorative materials.It looks magnificiently beautiful.The roof is supported by majistic and grand coloumns.Lighting and speakers of public address systems are cleverly hidden in the niches on top of the coloumnsat the base of the arches.The roof of the prayer hall measures 200 ft by 185 ft and weighs 1100 tons.The massive roof is retractable so in good weather star-lit sky is visibe while prayers are offerred.

The mosque has seperate hammams for men and women.Brass fittings in hammams are not tarnished despite the humid and saline atmosphere. The secret lies in the plastering material of these plliers which had eggyolk and black soap .This dehumidifies the air in hammams and thus saves the brass fittings from tarnishing by sea air.For keeping the hammams warm there are plenty of steam inlets.The hammams are also beautiful . It was therefore surprising to learn form our mosque guide that since its completion till date, the hammams have never been opened for pumblic use.

Minaret of Hassan II Mosque is the tallest minaret and religious structure in the world. It is 210 meters (690 feet tall).It is square in shape thrusting skyward. With base to the top width ratio of 1 to 8 (between basement and the summit) . Like rest of the mosque the concrete structure of the minaret is also covered with beautiful decorative cedar wood carvings, stucco art and zellij or Mosaic .

Laser lights are fitted on the top of Minaret pointing towards Mecca.The Laser beam has range of 30 KMs or so.
Hassan II Mosque in pictures:-

Hassan II Mosque.

Sorry for bad photo , extremeties missing,luckly not by much.

The walls have Horseshoe design arches , Coloureful , artistic and beautiful maosiacs. The colourful arches on walls have water cisterns, adding to the beauty and useful fixtures to the mosque.

One of the major entry gate .

Horeshoe design for arches has been used extensively throughout the Mosque . Even though basic design remains horseshoe , Further details and the design of mosiac on every door / gate are all different but equally beayuiful and grand.

Another major entry gate.

Majastic and grand looking Coloumns and arches of Hassan II Mosque.

Speakers of public address system are cleverly hidden in niches at the top of the coloumns at base of arches .

Central panels of the roof.They weigh 1100 tons and yet, are these two distinct panels are retractable and open outwards left & right .

Fountains and water source of Hammams.

Even though it was seen earlier in the day , I felt due to its importance it deserved a seperate blog b itself . Hence it was last,of all the attractions of Casablanca.

This ends the blog of Day 3 , 09th May 2017 .

Tomorrow is a long day as we travel from Casablanca to Tangier via Rabat . Do sight seeing of both the places before going to our hotei in Tangier.

To see all the Casablanca and Hassan II Mosque photos of Day 3 , 9 May 2017 go to .

(Photos .https://goo.gl/photos/rD4GDuxb7VbfDLGt5 )

27 July 2017

back up Casablanca .9 May 2017

09 MAY 2017.DAY 3. PART FIVE - CASABLANCA , MOROCCO.

This is screenshot of Casablanca Map.

It shows places of interest we saw In Casablanca.

Screenshot map, above, gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map go here. OR go to this link https://goo.gl/yMjhfB.

With this URL Interactive map should open in a new window.
To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel on the map :

1. The panel gives contents of the map which are self explanatory.Placing the cursor on any item in the panel will highlight that item in the map .

2. Click on the item in panel will open an information window in the map giving information about that item. If photos about that item have been uploaded they will also show in the information window.

3. For example placing the cursor on Hasan II Mosque will highlight Hasan II Mosque with a circle. Clicking on the same , will open a information window in the map giving information about Hasan II Mosque.

By the time we had reached and checked in at Hotel Les Almohades it was too late to any thing.

Next morning after breakfast, before going for sight seeing, did a photo session in hotel for pictures to be put up in Trip Advisor.

First place to be visited was Mohemmad V Plaza or Casablanca Square it is popularly know.

CASABLANCA SQUQRE.

Casablanca Square.

Courthouse building in the background.

Some people may feel that there is nothing special and deserving to be called a "place of interest. Just like any other big square in any other city But for the local population it is the hub and may be the nerve centre of their city. A place where their High Court, Treasury, Other important Government buildings and commercial Centre is located.

It is a big Square around which important buildings like High Court, City Treasury , French Consulate, the are located. In front of the High Court building there is a very well laid out garden with a beautiful fountain. A large paved court is ahead of the fountain and the garden. There were 15 statues in the courtyard. Could not have a closer look or click them from close as For reasons ,we could not fathom, entry to the courtyard was barred. Clicked the statues as best as I could.

On the East of this courtyard(opposite the Court house) separated by Avenue Hassan II is another huge courtyard with a monumental Fountain, popularly known as Pigeon Fountain due to presence of hundreds of pigeons flocking around the Plaza and fountain. Lot of construction work seemed to be going on further west of fountain plaza.

City Treasury.

Paved plaza with statues.

High Court in background.

High Court Plaza with statues.

High Court in background.

High Court Plaza with statues.

Tram Tracks West of High Court Plaza.

Pigeon Fountain Plaza, beyond Hassan II Avenue.

Afternoon found us loitering around on Boulverda de la Corniche, A clean broad, well maintained road running along the sea shore, lined on both sides with palm Trees. On one side were private Yacht Clubs and swimming pools. On the other side were Casinos , night clubs fancy restaurants and high end shopping. Our local guide told us come night and this place will transform from no crowd, almost deserted look to a crowded ,buzzing place with rich locals and tourists when the Casinos, Night Clubs and restaurants are going full blast. It becomes the focal point for Casablanca Night Life. Majority of people decided to return in the evening do shopping and sample little bit of night life. We were not interested in either so we opted out. Some hoe it so happened that for some strange reason the group which had gone returned disappointed before even the night had descended properly on Casablanca.

Boulevard de la Corniche. Center background Hassan II Minaret.

Private swimming pool/clubs.

Beach, Private swimming pool/clubs.

Private Yacht Clubs/Swimming pools.

Restaurants / Casinos on other side .

Next blog I will cover Hassan II Mosque as I felt , it deserves a full blog by it self.

To see all the photos of Day 3 , 9 May 2017 go here.

or go to / copy paste this link.

(Photos .https://goo.gl/photos/rD4GDuxb7VbfDLGt5 )

09 MAY 2017.DAY 3. PART ONE - CASABLANCA , MOROCCO.

This is screenshot of Casablanca Map.

It shows places of interest we saw In Casablanca.

Screenshot map,gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map go here. OR go to this link https://goo.gl/yMjhfB.

With this URL Interactive map should open in a new window.
To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel on the map :

1. The panel gives contents of the map which are self explanatory.Placing the cursor on any item in the panel will highlight that item in the map .

By the time we had reached and checked in at Hotel Les Almohades it was too late to any thing.

Next morning after breakfast, before going for sight seeing, did a photo session in hotel for pictures to be put up in Trip Advisor.

First place to be visited was Mohemmad V Plaza or Casablanca Square it is popularly know.

CASABLANCA SQUQRE.

Casablanca Square.

Courthouse building in the background.

It is a big Square around which important buildings like High Court, City Treasury , French Consulate, Other important Government buildings and commercial Centre are located. In front of the High Court building there is a very well laid out garden with a beautiful fountain. A large paved court is ahead of the fountain and the garden. There were 15 statues in the courtyard. Could not have a closer look or click them from close as,for reasons ,we could not fathom, entry to the courtyard was barred. Clicked the statues as best as I could.

City Treasury.

Paved plaza with statues.

High Court in background.

High Court Plaza with statues.

High Court in background.

High Court Plaza with statues.

Tram Tracks West of High Court Plaza.

Pigeon Fountain Plaza, beyond Hassan II Avenue.

Boulverda de la Corniche,

Boulevard de la Corniche. Center background Hassan II Minaret.

Private swimming pools/clubs.

Beach, Private swimming pool/clubs.

Private Yacht Clubs/Swimming pools.

Restaurants / Casinos on other side .

With so many photos on the phone with such a small size I had missed out to mention two places, Clay Oven Restaurant and Royal Palace Casablanca.

After Hassan II Mosque, the Boulevard we went for lunch at Clay Oven Restaurant . Nice place good lunch.

Clay Oven Restaurant. We had lunch here.

Typical Indian decor,Clay Oven Restaurant

Royal Palace Casablanca.

Royal Palace Casablanca. Tourists are allowed only up to the main gate of Royal Palace and that too, not closer than about 50 to 75 yards. Frankly going all the way there, just to look at couple of doors , though of good craftsmanship, was not worth it.

Royal Palace Casablanca,

Main portals of Royal Palace Gate.

Closer look at the beauty of Royal Palace Gate .

A Palace Gate we saw on the way to Main gate of Royal Palace of Casablanca.

Closer look at portals of gate in previous photo.

I feel that covering Hassan Mosque II, last remainig attraction of Casablanca, including the photos will make this blog extraaa.. long, even for my standard. I will, therefore cover Hassan Mosque II in seperate, next blogg.

To see all the photos of Day 3 , 9 May 2017, go here.or go to / copy paste this link.

(https://goo.gl/photos/rD4GDuxbII Mosque as I felt , it deserves a full blog by it self.7VbfDLGt5 )