Trip to Morocco

Day 3 - Wednesday, January 4, 2023 - Rabat

This morning we had a very good breakfast at the hotel before taking a 1/2 day tour of Rabat. We met at 8:30  and rode to the Royal Palace, the residence of the King of Morocco. Khalid shared with us a lot of information on the King, Mohamed VI, and the Constutional Monarchy of Morocco with a Prime Minister and Parliament. Morocco is a Muslim country but is quite liberal and accepting of diversity. This belied our preconceived perspective. We also saw the main mosque where we learned about the 5 point star of Muslim and how it corresponds to the 5 pillars of Islam. Our guide also gave info. on the history of Morocco, including the French presence from 1912-56.  The Frech fluence is still very present and gives Morocco a European feel. Next on the tour was a visit to a UNESCO site, the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum Mohamad V. Unfortunately Hassan's ambitious project never reached fruition due to his death in 1199. From there we went to the water and saw a cemetery, a lighthouse and toured the Kasbah of Oudaya. We also visited the Museum Mohamed VI where we saw displays of Moroccan art. On the way back to the hotel we got off near the entrance to the Medina. We stopped and had a Glace and wandered through the shops and cafes. It was an interesting place. We had lunch at a restaurant in the Medina but it was a step above most of the cafes. It was sit down and we thought maybe we wouldn't get seriously ill by eating there. The restroom was called a step down. No toilet - a hole and aim. Took a leisurely walk to the archeological museum and after finishing there we worked up a thirst and stopped for a beer. Once back at the hotel we showered and rested up a bit before heading out to dinner to a highly recommended local restaurant. We got a little lost getting there but had a really good dinner. A tasty appetizer, meatball tagine, lamb couscous, a special dessert and a couple of beers. Going home was a breeze. Packed up because luggage is out at 8:00 tomorrow. Time for bed.

Our fearless leader Khalid

The 5 point Islamic star

The Royal Palace

Guarding the Palace

Hard to see with the fog but a new modern
Theater

Guarding Hassan Tower

School children on a field trip

Ornamation around the Mausoleum

A couple of happy tourists

The Mausoleum

The Mausoleum

Hassan Tower

The Mausoleum

                          Pictures from Museum Mohamed VI

The seaport at Rabat

The Jewish Cemetery

The Hand of Fatima -  Good luck

Entry to the seaport fort

Muslim Architecture

Rabat's Seaport

The Medina in Rabat

Typical Moroccan Market

Moroccan facilities

Moroccan Design

Sheep head anyone?

                                 The Archeological Museum

Have to try the local beer

Kefka Tajine - meatballs

Lamb Couscous