Casablanca to Rabat aka installments from the bouncy bus!

Imagine four fighter pilots walking in slow motion across the tarmac.  Helmets are tucked under their arms.  They have names like goose, mad-dog, and ace.  Now scratch that and imagine the four lovely ladies on our trip... Here they are headed to visit the second or third (we got both versions) largest mosque on the planet - Hassan II, the pride of Casablanca.  It is a modern building, finished in the 90s.  It was absolutely stunning.  The pictures don't capture the vast size.  It holds 25,000 of the faithful when it is at capacity during Ramadan.

The mosque is situated in a grand courtyard with amazing architecture at every turn.

The building is cantilevered over the Atlantic Ocean making for a striking setting.  We arrived when the light was very dramatic.  

The craftsmanship was amazing.  The building was built in 6 short years.  7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  Up to 25,000 craftsman and laborors worked  on the building.  It shows!

The ladies "went native" out of respect.  Super hot!

Still risqué compared to this mama:

After about a one hour tour, we hopped back on our bus with our driver and guide.  Both named Abdul.  (So yes, we do have dueling abduls) and headed to Rabat.

In Rabat we visited the royal palace

And the tomb of Mohamed V which was built on the ruins of a 10th or 11th century mosque.

Then we had a bad lunch with a great view.

And now, we are on a looooooong bouncy bus ride through the countryside to chefchouen where we will stay for a few days.  

I think we are being eased into the culture.  As we look out the window, it appears that we have left the cosmopolitan cities behind and are sharing the road with donkey carts, sheep and a lot more scooters.

Everyone is feeling good so far.  The missing luggage was retrieved and reunited.  We feel safe (except when crossing the road.) and welcome as Jews.  This morning we crossed paths with a tour group from Israel.  They were all smiles as well.

My favorite quote of the day:  "we aren't going to stop at the mellah in Rabat.  No point, it isn't very old...14th century I think."

Until next time!

Greg & ruth