Hochmuth Adventures 2023: January 2023

Trip To Morocco

Day 13 - Thursday, January 14, 2023 - Casablanca to JFK

Happy Birthday Ron!

Leisurely start to the day. Luggage out at 9:30 and we left at 10 for the airport. We got there quickly due to the lack of Sat. morning traffic. Our helper took us through our 1st security check, up to the check-in desk, up to the 2nd security check-in, then we went to our gate where there was a 3rd security check of all carry-ons and a confiscation of any liquids or drinks. Royal Air Maroc has some unique ways of doing things. Flight was full but uneventful. We got the AirTran, and the LIRR to Penn Station and walked a little over half a mile to the Leo House (a Catholic hotel/guest house) where we were in bed by 9. Tomorrow we'll get the train to Syracuse and be home by 6. It was a wonderful but tiring trip. Now to get ready for our next adventure. Morocco was beyond our expectations. We are so happy to have decides to go there. It belied our preconceived notations as an Arabic and Muslim country. While we saw a lot of historical antiquities, there is clear evidence of a modern westernized country. Oh and I liked that NO ONE in the country could own a gun. Gate1 continues to be our favorite travel company with our guide Kahlid being incredibly intelligent and thus informative.

A picture of our group minus Frances and Tara

Trip to Morocco

Day 12 - Wednesday, January 13, 2023 - Marrakesh to Casablanca

Luggage out at 8 and on the road to Casablanca our last stop in Morocco. We made our way to the city but had some rest stops along the way - they were very good the whole trip not going over 2 hours and more often 1 1/2 hours since there was no bathroom on the bus. We stopped for lunch along the Corniche seaside. We walked the beach, found a cute cafe and had crepes and then found some fresh baked chips at a stall - I'd been craving chips. Then we went to one of the largest Mosques in the world - Hassan II. It was Friday, their holy day and it was their main prayer where the Iman gives a sermon 30 - 40 min. and then leads the people in prayer - reciting verses from the Koran. The mosque holds 27,000 people inside and 100,000 on the outside grounds. Then we visited Mohmad V Square, the Habous Quarter, and Notre Dame de Lourdes. It was a very modern Catholic church but the stain glass was fabulous. We got to our hotel the Barcelo Anfa which was a beautiful 5 star hotel and got ready for dinner. We went to El Gusto with the whole group for our final dinner. I had beef, Ron had the fish. Ron was even surprised with cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday thank to Khalid our fearless leader. Tomorrow we head home.

Views from the Cornish Seaside

Honey and Walnut Crepe

Chocolate and Banana Crepe

The Seaside Cafe

Aftermath of Fifa Games

Near a Horseracing Venue

Near a Horseracing Venue

Views from one of the largest Mosques in the World

The Lighthouse in Casablanca

The Mosque

The Mosque

Views from Notre Dame De Lourdes Catholic Church

Views from Mohamed V Square

Rick's Cafe - not the original

Our hotel - Barcelo Anfa

Our Farewell Dinner

An Early Birthday Treat

Trip to Morocco

Day 11 - Tuesday, January 12, 2023 - Marrakesh to Essaouira

Today we headed for yet another UNESCO site. Essaouira is a relatively new town compared to Fez and Marrakesh. along the way we stopped to see the goats in the Argan trees - a rather strange site and then stopped at a women's co-op that produced argan oil and related products. After arriving at Essaouira Khalid oriented us as to the high points in the town. He showed us the bell tower as our reference point and we went from there. We visited the Fort (Skala de LA Ville) the Port with all the blue boats and walked the beach. We ate at a restaurant that Khalid had told us was associated with one of the nicer hotels in the town but it was pricey. Since it was a beautiful location on the beach we checked out the menu and found mussels tagine for 60 dirhams- $6. The beers were more but we had more mussels(50) than we've ever had in an order. With 2 orders of mussels and 2 beers our bill was just over $20. Their beers are expensive, relatively speaking.

Upon arriving back at the hotel we took all our purchases from the bus and packed our suitcases to make sure everything fit. Thankfully it did. Tomorrow we leave for Casablanca.