Spain/Morocco 2012: Home Sweet Home...

"The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one..."

(Spain - corrida de toros...)

Alhamdulillah…

We are back from a 2-week holiday in Spain and Morocco.

The magic of travelling is in the joy of exploring the world, the vibrant beautiful scenery brightening our lives, filling our hearts with love, perseverance and patience....

(Morocco - Tuareg by the blue door...)

I guess there're many broken hearts in Casablanca

I know you've never really been there. so, you don't know

I guess our love story will never be seen on the big wide silver screen

But it hurt just as bad when I had to watch you go...

Spain/Morocco 2012: 10 Casablanca - the White House

"No great man ever complains of want of opportunity..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

(The famous Sinatra Cafe)

Day 10: 21 Nov 2012

MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA

Early morning we checked-out of the hotel and headed to Koutoubia Mosque. The mosque is first built in 1147, but demolished since it was not correctly aligned with Mecca. It re-erected and was completed in its present shape in 1199. It has ever since been the landmark of Marrakesh rising up from the low houses and markets around it. Its style is a Almohad, but a good deal of simple Andalucian elements added to it.

(The Koutouba Mosque)

After taking a group photo in front of the mosque, our bus left Marrakesh and headed towards Casablanca. We reached Casablanca in time for lunch at Anfa Ranch Restaurant.

(Anfa Ranch Restaurant)

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. The Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in the world, and the largest port of North Africa. It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Casablanca is a modern city and beautiful in its own respect.

(A tall glass wall in the mosque)

Casablanca is the setting of the 1942 film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The film has achieved worldwide popularity since then, having also won three Oscars.

(A famous street in Casablanca)

Casablanca is also home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory on the Atlantic. The mosque has room for 25,000 worshippers inside, and a further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 meters. The mosque is also the largest in North Africa, and the third largest in the world.

(The view of Hassan II Mosque)

(The archways in the mosque)

We visited the seaside corniche and the Light House and passed by the Justice Court, Mohammed V Square and the Royal Palace. In the evening we were allowed to wonder into the Old Medina for last minute shopping. The Old Medina in Casablanca attracts fewer tourists than the medinas of cities like Fez and Marrakesh.

(The lighthouse by the seaside)

We had dinner at Sinatra Restaurant and later checked-in Anfa Palace Hotel for the night.

(Le Palace D'Anfa Hotel)

👈👈 2012: Betong, Thailand

2012: Marrakesh, Morocco 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 09 Marrakesh

"A person often meets his destinity on the road he took to avoid it..." - Jean de La Fontaine

(A painting of Marrakesh)

Day 09: 20 Nov 2012

MARRAKESH

After breakfast we started our tour of Marrakesh, the second oldest city of Morocco and also known as the “Southern Pearl”. It is situated in the interior of middle Morocco, just north of the High Atlas mountains, on the Haouz plain and south of the seasonal river Wadi Tensift. Marrakesh is a Berber city, with little influence by Arabs. Marrakech has been the capital of Morocco, as well as for smaller countries up through history. There are many monuments in Marrakesh, most famous is the Koutoubia mosque, the old city, the souk and the Jamaa El-Finaa that attract most tourists. It is from Marrakesh that Morocco has received its modern name.

(A poster of a film festival)

Our visits include Bahia Palaces and Manara Gardens swimming pool. As the black slave Abu Ahmed rose to power and wealth towards the end of the 19th century, he had the El-Bahia palace built by bringing craftsmen from Fez. The structures tell a lot about the taste of the nouveau-riche of its time, and the high protective wall appears intimidating. The Saadian tombs belong mainly to the 16th century, dominated by koubbas to indicate the burial grounds of members of the Saadian royal family.

(Beautiful colourful stained-glass window)

There two main mausoleums here, the finest was built to house Ahmad-Mansur, the second was built for his mother, Lalla Messaouda. The mausoleum of al-Mansur is made up of three small halls, and 66 children, wives and concubines of the royal family were buried here. Right outside, there are about 100 more tombs.

(The seven immortalized Saints of Marrakesh)

We visited the Menara Garderns, set slightly out of town. It offers not only a pleasant escape from bustling Marrakesh, it also has one of the most photographed settings of Morocco. This is a romantic place for couples. The pool with the main building, the menza, is the perfect spot in summer to escape from the incredible summer heat of Marrakech. It is adorned with both orchards and olive groves. The pavilion and the basin existed from earlier times, but the present structure was built in the middle of the 19th century.

(The Manara Garden)

In the afternoon we were given ample time to wonder around the old medina and the Jemaa el-Finna Square. There is almost always something going on here day and night. During most of the days, performers of every kind put up their shows, continuing until the evening when food trolleys force their way in and occupy half the area and all of the attention of the audience. From the Jemaa there are several entries to the fantastic souks and anyone who needs to relax for a while, there are plenty of café around the Jemaa, where the main attraction is looking at the ongoing activities.

(The spice souk)

After visiting the Spice and Argan Oil shop it was a free and easy shopping activities for everyone. Later we walked quite a distance for a Moroccan dinner before we boarded the bus back to our hotel for a good rest.

(A horse carriage on a chilly night)

👈👈 2012: Casablanca, Morocco

2012: Meknes, Morocco 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 08 Meknes

"The wisest men follow their own direction..." - Euripides

(Brightly coloured walls)

Day 08: 19 Nov 2012

FEZ – MEKNES – MARRAKESH

After breakfast, we started our journey towards Marrakesh via Meknes. Meknes is also known as “Moroccan Versailles” a city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today The city was founded by Moulay Ismail in the 17th Century. The region is the major producer of Moroccan olives and citrus fruits.

(Visiting the bazaar)

Meknes is claimed to be among the most beautiful city in Morocco. Places of interest visited include Bab Mansour , mausoleum Moulay Ismail and the Old Meknes. Bab Mansour gate, named after the architect, El-Mansour was completed 5 years after Moulay Ismail's death, in 1732. The design of the gate plays with Almohad patterns. It has zellij mosaics of excellent quality. The marble columns were taken from the Roman ruins. The gate itself is now used as an arts and crafts gallery; entry is by a side gate.

(The Art and Craft gallery)

Despite his extreme brutality, Moulay Ismail is highly revered by Moroccans themselves. So much, that his mausoleum is ranked as an Islamic sight and only parts of it are open to non-Muslims.

(The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail)

We visited the Pavillion Des Ambassadeurs and the underground prisons where tens of thousands, mainly Christian slaves kidnapped from European villages as far north as Iceland by Moroccan pirates, to work and die to complete the more than 50 palaces, the 20 gates and the city wall of 45 km long.

(The underground prison)

Lunch was at Qassar Al-Terrab Restaurant on the way to Marrakesh. It was already dark when we arrived in Marrakesh and went straight to the town square to have a glimpse of the vibrant night market. As it is too cold to stay in the open, the bus took us for dinner, entertained by live Moroccan musicians and belly dancing.

(A lively belly-dancer show)

Later, we checked in Al-Andalous Hotel for two nights.

(Our lodging for two nights)

👈👈 2012: Marrakesh, Morocco

2012: Fez, Morocco 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 07 Fez

"In life you are either a passenger or a pilot, it's your choice..."

(A carpet unique designs)

Day 07: 18 Nov 2012

FEZ

After breakfast we had a full day tour of Fez. Fez is Morocco's oldest Imperial city and its old medina is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Medina is called Fes el-Bali and behind its high walls is a magical, medieval city just teeming with life in every one of its 9000 narrow streets.

(The town of Fez)

Fez is the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco and you would certainly experience its vibrancy. The new part of Fez, called ville nouvelle, was built by the French and is totally different from the medina. The wide boulevards are lined with modern shops and traffic is hectic.

(A gate to the city)

We visited the carpet shops and the leather shops in the old medina. Fez is famous for its leather products and most of it comes from the leather souk in old Fez. The tanneries have been in operation since medieval times and little has changed, which makes them absolutely fascinating to visit.

(Leather tanning process)

The leather shop is filled to the brim with handbags, jackets and slippers of every conceivable design and color known. Sprigs of fresh mint are essential when you visit the tanneries since the animal hides are stinky, and the pigeon poop they're treated in doesn't smell so good either.

(Leather jackets on display)

We visited the Kairaouine Mosque, tucked deep into the heart of the medina. The mosque is huge and we had a good view of the inside when we had our zohor and asar prayers. We also passed by a few famous madrasahs in the old medina.

(A mosque in the old Medina)

Other places of interest visited were the Royal Palace, Madrasah Attarrine and Suq Attarine. We passed the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter of Fez, the architecture differs from the rest of the medina.

(A fine dining in a hotel)

Dinner was at Arabesque Demeure De Charme, a beautifully decorated traditional boutique hotel.

👈👈 2012: Meknes, Morocco

2012: Tangiers, Morocco 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 06 Tangiers

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary..." - Aaron Rose

(Narrow street and colourful buildings)

Day 06: 17 Nov 2012

TANGIERS – FEZ

After breakfast the group had a city tour of Tangiers in the rain. First stop was the Cape Spartel, the most North West point of mainland Africa. Here we had a nice view of the meeting of the Mediterranean and Pacific oceans.

(The lighthouse at Cape Spartel)

The cape is situated at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, 12 km West of Tangiers and rises to a height of 326 m at the top of Jebel Quebir where there is a tower nearer to the end of the cape which serves as a lighthouse. Near Cape Spartel is Spartel Bank, a sunken island hypothesized by some as the location of the legendary island of Atlantis. Below the cape are the Caves of Hercules.

(The Straits of Gibraltar)

Other places of interest visited Included The Kasbah, The Kasbah Museum and Maqam Ibnu Batutta. The Kasbah was built on the highest point in Tangiers and has excellent views out over the Straits of Gibraltar and neighboring Spain. Within its gates lies a large open courtyard, which leads up to the Dar el Makhzen - the Sultan's palace from the 17th century, that now serves as a museum.

(The Kasbah Museum)

The building is decorated with beautifully carved wooden ceilings and a marble courtyard. There is also a museum devoted to Moroccan arts and archeology. The road up to the top of the hill is very steep, but the views are amazing.

(The tomb of Ibn Battouta)

The Tangiers’ old Medina walled city is a lively place. Its alleyways are filled with shops and tea-houses. Tourist trinkets are plentiful here but if you plan to continue traveling in Morocco, you'll find better deals elsewhere.

(The old Medina)

We had a Moroccan lunch while entertained by live musicians. Lunch served was rice and lemon chicken. The restaurant owner allowed us to perform our prayers before we boarded the bus to Fez. The bus drove from Tangiers to Fez through the mountain road with a few stops for toilet breaks and a cup of hot coffee.

(Live performance while we dine)

When we reached Fez, we had to walk quite a distance in the maze of the old medina to reach a Moroccan Restaurant where we had our dinner before proceeded to El-Manzeh Zalagh Hotel for the night.

👈👈 2012: Fez, Morocco

2012: Torremolinos/Algeciras, Spain 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 05 Torremolinos/Algeciras

"You can't make footprints on the sands of time by sitting on your butt..."

(A clear sight of Gibraltar)

Day 05: 16 Nov 2012

GRANADA – TORREMOLINOS – ALGECIRAS – TANGIERS

After breakfast the bus drove south towards Morocco via Torremolinos and Algeciras. We stopped for tea break at Los Abades and a last minute souvenirs shopping in Torremolinos.

(having fun at Torremolinos)

Torremolinos is an attractive and appealing resort noted for its clean sandy beaches, wide choice of hotels and restaurants flanked by exclusive boutiques and gift shops and variety of entertainment and nightlife activities.

(Souvenir shopping at the resort town)

We bought some souvenirs and had hot cappuccino and packed tuna sandwiches to be eaten on the bus. Our journey continued to Algeciras for border clearance. Algeciras is a port city in the south of Spain, and is the largest city on the Bay of Gibraltar. The Port of Algeciras is one of the largest ports in Europe and in the world in three categories: container, cargo and transshipment.

(The Port of Algeciras)

From the Port of Algeciras, Tangiers is just a short ferry ride away and the gateway to the rest of Morocco. High speed ferries travel almost every hour, year round and take around 30 minutes to cross the Streets of Gibraltar. At 1600 we took one of the slower ferries that are a little cheaper. The ferry ride to Tangiers Med Port in Morocco was 1 1/2 hours and border clearance in Moroccan side was smooth, although a little unorganized.

(On a ferry to Morocco)

We were met by our Moroccan tour guide and the 40-seater bus took us for dinner at one hotel restaurant, quite a distance away from our hotel. Later, we checked in for the night in Ibis Hotel situated in the suburb of Tangiers.

👈👈 2012: Tangiers, Morocco

2012: Granada, Spain 👉👉

Spain/Morocco 2012: 04 Granada

"To be successful, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it..."

(The Alhambra, a UNESCO site)

Day 04: 15 Nov 2012

GRANADA

Early morning, the bus took us to Alhambra where a local guide was already waiting for our group at the entrance. We took the 0930 entrance ticket and had a walking tour of Alhambra and Palacio de Generalife.

(Alhambra secret windows)

Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex constructed during the mid 10th century by the Berber ruler Badis ben Habus of the Kingdom of Granada in al-Andalus, occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city of Granada. The Alhambra's Islamic palaces were built for the last Muslim Emirs in Spain and its court, of the Nasrid dynasty.

(Quranic verses on the wall)

After the reconquest by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, some portions were used by the Christian rulers. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well known Berber Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for many songs and stories.

(Reflections on the water)

After the walking tour, the bus dropped us at the city square and the group had to walk a distance to Arrayanes Restaurant for a very late lunch. The journey would have been made easier if the tour leader had a map or the address of the restaurant with him.

(A long uphill walk to the mosque)

After lunch, the group had to climb up the steep narrow gravel stone path in Granada Old Town, known as the Albaicin to the Mezquita Mayor de Granada or the Grand Mosque of Granada.

(The courtyard of the Mezquita Mayor)

The striking new mosque is a structure of subtle beauty, incorporating designs found in the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. A white brick building, built on 2,100 square meters of land, with a red tile roof and a thick, square minaret, is set in the middle of a public garden. The mosque’s prayer room is large enough to hold several hundred people. There is also a library and a study centre for scholars, located in separate outbuildings. Later we had our Zohor and Asar prayer in the mosque.

(A nice view of Granada town from the top)

Next to the mosque is El-Mirador de San Nicolas. We could have a panoramic view of the city of Granada and the Al-Hamra with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background from the square in front of the cathedral. There are also a number of bars and restaurants in the vicinity if one feel in need of refreshment. When we were there, there were gypsies selling bracelets and costume jewelleries and musicians playing Spanish guitar which added joviality to the atmosphere.

(A group of young girls making small handicrafts)

From here the group split and some walked back towards the hotel while others meandered through the shopping alleys for more shopping activities.

(A brightly decorated souvenir shop)

We rested while waiting for our packed food to be delivered to the hotel room.

👈👈 2012: Torremolinos/Algeciras, Spain

2012: Cardoba/Granada, Spain 👉👉