Casablanca, Morocco - 02 April 2002 My photo album of Casablanca/Marrakech
	The origins of Casablanca trace to the medieval town of Anfa set on a small plateau which is now one of the city's suburbs. Anfa became the capital of a Berber principality in the aftermath of the Arab invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that Casablanca began to grow as a result of regular sea traffic between Europe and Morocco. Click here to see a map of Morocco. Sunrise among the Fishing Trawlers Casablanca is now the largest city in Northern Africa, with one of the largest artificial harbours in the world. Home to one of the largest mosques in the world, Hassan II Mosque. It has a prayer hall that can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and a piazza that can accommodate another 80,000. It also has the world's tallest minaret, soaring 200m above the city. Casablanca Our arrival in the red sunrise, looked pretty among the hundreds of fishing trawlers. We took the tour to Marrakech, one of Morocco's 4 Imperial Cities, which departed at 7.30am and took 4 hours to get there. We had an excellent guide who gave a good commentary re our route and life in Morrocco. Casablanca, on our brief drive through, looked like any modern city, with sprawling suburbs and tall office buildings in the centre. We had a brief stop halfway for a walk around and drink etc. It rained all day! Top Settat - 1/3 the way to Marrakech Most of the passing countryside was lush green agricultural land; in the main flat. Each field seemed to be tended by either one or two people, even when it appeared we were miles from any settlements, most of which were small with only a few homes grouped together. On arrival in Marrakech we toured the Bahia Palace, before lunch in a Morroccan restaurant, complete with 5 course meal, music and Belly Dancers, and free wine. It was much better than expected and we enjoyed it. One of the Bahia Palace's Courtyards The Bahia Palace Marrakech was constructed within the Qasba of Marrakech between 1894 and 1900 for Ahmed Ibn Moussa. Carved stucco, carved and painted woodwork, and glazed ceramic tile decorate the entire Palace. Only a small part is open to the public, the rest being private apartments. Another Courtyard Top We then stopped at the Koutoubia Mosque, with its 800yr old minaret, before visitng the Menara Garden, created in the 12th century. A conglomeration of smaller gardens, the Menara is planted with palms and olives surrounding an artificial lake - the point of confluence of a canal system - used to irrigate the surrounding gardens and orchards. A pavilion on the shore of the lake was constructed during the 19th century and used to entertain the mistresses of the rulers. Construction of the walls and gates of Marrakech began in 1126. Eventually the whole city was surrounded, with access provided by 14 gates. All the buildings, both old and new, in Marrakech are of this ochre sandstone colour. The Walls of Marrakech Top After a visit to the Tomb of the Sa'dian Rulers, we then had an hour remaining to visit the Djemaa El Fna Square, with its Snake Charmers and Water Carriers, and the Bazaar [souks] for which Marrakech is so famous, to enjoy a bit of bartering. The Spices!

	The Itinerary
	The Ship
	Cruise Intro
	Photographs