Casablanca in a taxi

So off we went in search of Rick's Café and Sam the piano player. As we roared down the by pass on the edge of the new medina...city centre.. we caught a glimpse of Bogart's film location.



But below is what we really came to see. The second largest mosque in the world, after Mecca. It is dedicated to the memory of King Hassan the Second. Two thirds of it sits over the sea but that area was barred to we tourists! Apparently the 656 foot tower flashes 2 laser beams towards Mecca that can be seen for over 30k. Very impressive despite only being completed in 1993.

Casablanca is a huge, sprawling city of over 3.5 million inhabitants, all of whom seemed to be out and driving today! We were reminded that we must NEVER find ourselves in amongst them in the camper van. Inner city driving is best left to the locals.

King Mohamed 6 has a significant piece of prime land on which is built yet another of his palaces. We were told by our Grand Taxi driver Rashid (pic to follow) that he has one in each major city. We think he was in residence as there was such an abundance of Police Royale and guards in evidence.

Before returning home (the 5 hour taxi trip cost us 400 dirhams or about £38), we were dropped off at a lovely little restaurant for lunch. The smells were so evocative and the décor typically and colourfully Moroccan.

We couldn't resist 'snapping' a few shots of things that are so alien to us back home..the heavily-laden donkies and the amazingly versatile motorbikes amongst them. However, time was up, so we viewed the Art Deco buildings as we whizzed past in the car and  marvelled at a fleeting glimpse of a flower market which filled a side street.


 

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, a man with a bike was removing the dead palm leaves!

So...till next time, its goodbye from us and its goodbye from him...Rashid, Grand Taxi driver extraordinaire that is!



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