Casablanca, First Leg Got Me To Morocco
I was always curious about Morocco for some reasons that I couldn’t describe by words. I didn’t even know exactly what it was. Maybe I was curious about the landscape of Mount Atlas. Or maybe about the Berber tribes living there in centuries. Or I just wanted to feel the sensation to ride onto the camel in the middle of Sahara. Perhaps all those could be the reason. Therefore, in one October, after getting approval from my chief, I took a bit longer RnR to visit Morocco in two weeks.
Casablanca became my first leg, of course, since most of airlines coming from all around the world would land in international airport located in this city. It’s the largest city in Morocco and home for industrial and economic activities. I didn’t have any difficulties while I arrived at the airport. As Indonesian citizen, I was not required to pay the visa to enter Morocco. I just required to bring my passport with me, and I was allowed to stay for 90 days after arrival sign stamped on my passport.

Casablanca
I went out of the airport, searched for the sign of train station that I heard is also located in the airport. Well, I was right. I found it. I would go to Casa Voyageurs, then continued with taxi to get me t to medina (the old town) where hotel that I would stay is located.
Once I arrive in Casa Voyageurs (the main train station in Casablanca), I took taxi to take me to medina. There are two types of taxi in Morocco. Petite taxi (small taxi) that operates within the city, and grand taxi (big taxi, normally they used old Mercedes benz) which can take passenger out of the city. Sharing taxi with other passengers is common thing in Morocco. So, don’t be shock while you’re sitting at passenger seats, the driver could stop anywhere to carry another passenger with you.

Petite Taxi. Every city has its own color. Taxi above I snapped in Meknes that has Blue as their color
The taxi driver dropped me at the gate of medina. Car was not allowed to enter. Or, car couldn’t enter at all since most of streets inside the old town are such small alleys that could only being passed by motor bikes or walking.
I just booked one night room in Casablanca since I didn’t find any interesting facts in the city which fitted my interest. Casablanca, in my opinion, is just a typical of big city. People get rushed, and traffic jam could be found easily. In addition, this city is not so friendly for budget traveler. Finding hostel or guest house with lower price could be so challenging. So, one day is enough to see how the city is.
I stayed at Central Hotel. My room located at the third floor where I could see Casa port from small balcony attached to my room. Mohamed, the receptionist, a man in age of 50s, was a gentle man. He ensured that I stay comfortably in his hotel. He gave me some map, showing me how to get Hasan II mosque, as one of tourists attraction in Casa which is located not far from the hotel.

Casa Port seen from my room

Old town of Casablanca in the evening, taken next to my hotel.
I was exhausted after having almost 14 hours flying from Uganda. What I really wanted to do was to get sleep immediately. But I didn’t want to do it since today is the only chance I had to see Casablanca. Tomorrow morning I will leave the city to Fez, where the real adventure began. Therefore, I forced myself to go to the mosque, where many travelers found as a place you must visit when you are in Casablanca. Finding the mosque could be so tricky. Especially I didn’t have any GPS application in my phone. However, finally I could make it.
The mosque itself is big. Some even wrote that its the biggest mosque in the world after those in Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Non muslims are allowed to enter during particular time. I arrived in the afternoon, so the time for visitor is over already. However, I still could enter the part purposed for women while I did my Ashar pray.
The mosque was built in 1983 and completed its construction in 1993. Commissioned by King Hasan II, the mosque was designed by Michel Pinseau, French architect who had lived in Morocco. The design of the mosque represents the culture and identity of Morocco. Most of construction materials were obtained from the country, including marble from Agadir, the cedar wood taken from middle Atlas and the granites came from Tafraoute. Inside the mosque, it can capacitate 25 thousands people while in the courtyard, 80 thousands people could be accommodated.

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Women Praying Room, Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca
The mosque is not only a worship place for people living in Casablanca. It’s also the landmark, and a place to do some picnic with family. The place will be full in the weekend as I experienced. In addition, its location next to the Atlantic sea makes it perfect to spend afternoon with friends, relatives and the love ones while seeing the sun goes down.

The yard, in front of Hasan II Mosque

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca

Hasan II Mosque, Casablanca
I returned to the hotel after sunset. I was sleepy and hungry like a hell. Since Central Hotel didn’t provide dinner service, Mohammed showed me a restaurant serving Moroccon dishes, which not far from the hotel. However, he suggested me for not using my camera and taking some snaps in the street of Casa.
“You must be very careful, Nurul. Street boys in Casablanca could be so dangerous” he advised.

Tajine, Moroccan dishes

The Mint Tea, Moroccan Tea
Well, perhaps you would have some question in mind as I had before departing to Morocco. Is Morocco safe for female solo traveler? My answer is Yes, as long as you follow the local customs and hear your common sense. Dress modestly, not walking around alone in empty street after dark, ask permission to the locals if you want to rake their pictures, and Inshallah you’ll be safe.
Great post and stunning photos! Thanks for sharing, Nurul! Marcus
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Thank you, Marcus. I really appreciate your words 😄
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Those mosque pictures are amazing!
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Thank you very much. I’m glad you like it 😄
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Crisp and bright pictures Nurul… As always. Great travelogue! Which camera so you use?
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Thank you, Arv. I am using Canon 600D with lens 18-135. It’s quite old camera and I’m not sure the series are still in the market..
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Nurul. Certainly, it’s old now! What’s not? Anthing that’s 3 months old is OLD!
Canon 600D is one of hugely popular models in canon series. That’s a proven one Nurul. 🙂
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You are right, Arv. I long time stopped myself to follow the development of technology. Otherwise, my home would be full of gadget. For Canon 600D, I am satisfy with that. I have been using it for more than four years and I still have no plan to change it with the new one. Actually that’s my second DSLR after I gave my 1000D to my sister, which was good too but not have so high ISO with it.
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Its always more about technique than the technical aspect. The 1000 and 1100D were basic models.
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Agree..
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😃
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Fantastic photos, Nurul!
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Thank you, my friend 😄
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hiks belum kesampaian ke morocco hiks
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Nanti Inshallah nyampe. Kamu langkahnya panjang, Winny 😄😄
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Fantastic photos of the mosque, Nural. And you had a great view from your room.
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Thank you very much. Yes, i had great view. But I found the other part of the room is greater. Maybe I should return someday to see how it is 😄. Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it 😄
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beautiful pictures! I have never been to Morocco. One of these places I told my husband to get a jog, so I could explore for a couple of years. who knows? maybe one day! thanks for a great post!
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Thank you Julz. That must be nice to stay in Morocco for couple of years. There are so much interesting things that you can see there. I don’t mind to come back either if I have another chance..
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Aku baru tau kalau masjid yang menjadi landmark nya Casablanca ini ternyata belum terlalu tua umurnya, aku pikir ini masjid yang sudah sangat lawas. Wah melihat foto-fotomu aja rasanya aku sudah kagum dengan detail desainnya mbak, apalagi kalau bisa sampai mengunjunginya langsung.
Sebenarnya Maroko ini merupakan salah satu negara yang sudah aku ‘taksir’ sejak lama, tapi memang masalah keamanan di sana itu yang sering jadi pertanyaanku. Thanks sudah berbagi sedikit tips nya.
O iya, untuk biaya hidup agak mahal atau sedangkah di sana?
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Hi Bart. Iya. Mesjidnya megah dan bagus banget. Sayang, aku cuma kesampaian liat interior bagian untuk perempuan doang. karena datangnya telat sementara jam visitor udah habit, dan ngga pede masuk ke bagian cowok. Hahaha. Aku berharap suatu saat bisa kembali ke Maroko. Untuk masalah keamanan, sebenarnya sama aja Bart, kayak dimana-mana. Kita mesti tetap sensitif sama common sense. Jujur, sebelum ke Maroko aku sempat khawatir juga, karena banyak review ngga bagus selama disana. Aku sampe nyatat nomor2 penting, kayak department keamanan dari kantorku, in case ada apa2 disana. ternyata, begitu sampai di Maroko, Alhamdulillah aman-aman saja. Aku banyak ketemu solo traveler cewek dan cowok selama di sana. Memang sih, di beberapa tempat, aku usahain ngga keluar malam sendirian, karena kayaknya agak jarang di beberapa kota perempuan keluar malam sendirian. So, aku usahain udah balik ke penginapan sebelum magrib, kalau lagi ngga ada teman jalan. Untuk biaya hidup, terbilang murah ya. Kecuali casablanca yang memang ibukota perdagangan Maroko, disini agak susah nyari hostel yang agak murah. Tapi di luar casablanca, banyak pilihan mau yang murah maupun mahal. Untuk makan sehari-hari, cukup murah. Mirip2 di Indonesia deh. Transportasi juga murah. Itu ongkos taxi karena bareng penumpang yang lain, seperti ongkos angkot. Ke berbagai kota, bisa diakses dengan kereta api, yang harganya juga ngga mahal..
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Aduuuh baca penjelasanmu jadi makin pengen ke Maroko. Cuma dari Indonesia ke Maroko itu tiketnya kaya ke Eropa aja, jadi sayang kalau gak belok sedikit ya? Meskipun enaknya ke sana gak perlu apply visa lagi.
Jadi selain Casablanca, mbak Nurul kemana lagi setelah Fez?
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Hi Bart. Sorry balas nya telat.. Iya Bart. Ke Maroko tiketnya sama kayak ke Eropa. Jadi kalau kamu lagi Euro trips, Dan Spanyol Salah satu destinasi, bisalah kamu jalan2 sampai ke Spanyol Selatan. Dari sana bisa nyebrang Selat Gibraltar, sampai deh kamu ke Tangier, Maroko. Jangan sampai ngga ke Maroko ya kalau udah sampai Spanyol. Selain Fes, aku juga ke Meknes, Tangier, Marrakech Dan Zagora. Zagora Ini, tempat dimana Aku ikut desert camp, naik unta di Padang pasir Sahara Dan menginap semalam di Gurun. Kalau mau Tanya2 lagi soal Maroko, you’re most welcome ya 😄
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Nah, betul. Cocok banget mbak. Memang rencananya kalau memang ada rejeki, aku mau menggabungkan Spanyol Selatan dengan Maroko. Jadi aku pernah iseng susun itinerary -khayalan-, keliling Andalusia+Maroko.
Dan makasih banget info tambahannya soal Zagora dengan desert camp nya. Ini menarik da, mau banget! Aku masukkin ke dalam daftar.
Alhamdulillah, makasih banget tawarannya. Siap, pokoknya kalau nanti aku butuh info soal Maroko, aku kontak mbak Nurul yaaa.
Aku tunggu kisah selanjutnya mbak 🙂
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Siiip…
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Awesome architecture and beautiful photos
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Thank you so much, Hester. Your words are meant a lot for me 😄
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Enjoyed your post, thank you for the tips for solo female travelers. Fantastic photos!
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You’re most welcome. And thank you for stopping by at my blog 😄
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stunning shots Nurul!! Another great tour!
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Thank you, Cybele. I am glad that you still enjoy the tour 🙂
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I do!
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Beautiful pictures! Hope I get visit Casablanca someday!
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Thank you very much for your visit and your nice words. I hope someday your dream will come true 🙂
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WOW, WHAT A BLOG, CHINA
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Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
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