Morocco 2023 : Part 1 : Casablanca

 

We flew from Johanesburg on Air Egypt via Cairo.

Thursday 16th February 2023 : Casablanca

We don't like to travel like tourists so I booked an apartment in Casablanca instead of a hotel, centrally located for walking everywhere. 

Let's just say that the crumbling early 20th century Art Deco buildings have charm. Our neighbourhood is full of local restaurants, cafes and boulangeries. And locals. Only locals. 

We wandered the streets for the afternoon. We enjoyed a coffee stop. I was the only woman in the cafe. In Morocco, meeting at cafes is a male persuit. Women socialise together at home. 

We found ourselves in the Old Medina, a fascinating tangle of narrow streets and stalls.

Other than at hotels, there aren't many bars serving alcohol but Les Archers is on the ground floor of our apartment.

We had our first taste of Moroccan wine. We couldn't sit on the terrace and drink alcohol, so endured loud local music and the smokers inside. Bar snacks, Moroccan style, were complimentary. 

Rouge en Blanc snack bar is also downstairs. We tried meat tagine and rotisserie chicken for dinner. Then up to bed for an early night.

Friday 17 February 2023

Casablanca

Stephen and Vivienne arrived today. Our brunch spot is a Cafe opposite the apartment. Moroccan coffee is good. Cafe Latte is called Nous-Nous. 

Moroccans also drink a lot of mint tea and you see tea vendors all over the city. 

We caught a taxi to Hassan II mosque; the biggest in Morocco.

It's a modern building overlooking the sea. 

The movie Casablanca was wholly shot on set in Hollywood but that didn't stop them recreating a "Rick's Cafe" in downtown Casablanca.Despite being a tourist trap, we enjoyed a round of cocktails, watching the movie showing on a loop in the bar while "As time goes by " played in the background.

We took Stephen and Vivienne through the old medina which was much quieter, being a Friday afternoon. 

And we returned to Rouge en Blanc so that Stephen could try the rotisserie chicken.  

They needed to sleep off their jet lag so we went back to Les Archers for another bottle of red wine and more bar snacks. It's a lot more vibey around here on a Friday night.