After yet another noisy night, we were like two zombies this morning. Unfortunately, it was Casablanca or bust today as there were no proper campsites until we got north of it.
We had parking earmarked right outside the Hassan ll Mosque and the route in looked fairly straightforward. Of course, it wasn’t! Nothing short of a nightmare – you need nerves of steel to drive on these streets and a decent horn that doesn’t sound…well, weak! People swerve in and out of four lanes of traffic and as for roundabouts – anything goes. I can only liken it to a cross between Palermo and the Peripherique.
Didn’t see much of the colonial architecture on the way in, but we did catch glimpses of the slums. The difference between rich and poor here seems even more pronounced especially when you visit the extremely beautiful mosque which cost around £500m back in the early ‘90’s.
Anyway, the carpark was already full upon our arrival but, as if by magic, we ended up on a wide pavement on the other side of the street. Man arrives instantly for his £2 to watch out for our precious home on wheels. Got the tickets sorted and we’re on the next guided tour at midday.
11:58am Guy realised his camera battery was dead, so we had to ask if we could join the next tour instead. 3pm 🙄😬not ideal, but gave us time to have lunch and seek out Rick’s Cafe.
So it seems, the film Casablanca wasn’t shot here at all, but in the Warner Bros studio in Hollywood. Fortunately, an American lady has opened Rick’s Cafe which is the only place in Casa that sort of pays homage to the film.
Turning up at the door and asking if we could just come in for a drink, the smartly dressed man outside had to get on his phone and ask if there was room for us 🤣..all very pretentious, but it works. Once inside, Guy was asked to leave his camera at the door 😬…not a chance!
“But Sir, it will be very safe with us and we have a lot of people dining who won’t want to see cameras”
Phones are ok though, which is weird.
Finally convinced, we went in and had an expensive Aperol Spritz each at the bar and it was lovely. Like stepping back in time even if it was make believe.
Later, we walked back to the mosque and all around the outside wondering if we needed to have bought the tickets after all. Yes, we did. Being on a guided tour is the only way to get inside. Our tour guide was a bit annoying but it’s apparently ok to drift away once you’ve gone in with them. The place is absolutely stunning. It’s the third biggest mosque in the world and has the tallest minaret. Its roof can roll open and it can accommodate 25000 worshippers inside and 80,000 more in the courtyard. Most of the materials used and the craftsmen were Moroccan.
Driving out of Casablanca at 4:15pm was probably worse than the drive in.
We’ve managed to get to a campsite a few miles north in Mohammedia. Seems fairly quiet apart from a few cockerels strutting around …famous last words! 🤣
