The Magical Yet Mysterious Morocco
7 - 24 Mar 2019
It is my dream to visit Morocco as I always dream to visit Chefchaouen (Blue City). When my friend invited me to go to Morocco, I can’t believe my dream come true so soon!
We booked our own air ticket (Emirates) and engaged with ground tour with Deep Morocco Tours (a good experience as this tour company didn’t bring us to much shopping places like tourist factories).
We visited the almost the whole country of Morocco (one big circle). The route is Casablanca -> Rabat -> Chefchaouen -> Meknes – > Fes -> Merzouga -> Ouazazate -> Taroudant -> Essaouira -> Marrakesh -> Casablanca.
The main highlights that we look forward are:
Casablanca: We visited the big mosque in Casablanca named Hassan II Mosque (largest mosque in Morocco, the 5th largest in the world). The mosque has the tallest minaret in the word (689 feet which is equivalent to 60 stories high) and has the capacity to house 105,000 worshipers to pray at the same time (25,000 people inside the premises and 80,000 outside). The architectural inside the mosque is stunning with beautiful engraving and installations. I am (till today) is very amaze and find that visiting mosque in other countries very worthwhile.
Interior of the mosque
Exterior of the Mosque
Medina: Is known town surrounded by walls (like a city inside a fortress). We stayed and visited many Medinas. Those walls are really tall (The walls are so tall that looking up it will reach the sky). I was shocked as I entering the first overnight medina pulling my own luggage and walking for 10 – 15 mins inside which seems back lane alleys. I will be totally lost in this maze city if there is no guide. Like in movie/drama, I felt being transported to back centuries; staying at medina. Nevertheless, the stay and experience is magical and mysterious at the same time.
Medina
Riad: Are large traditional house build around a central courtyard / interior garden which many are converted to hotel. It is so unbelievable that this riads are rich in Moroccan culture and yet stunning (of course every corner is instagrammable). Of course, there is no lift which we travel light and able to carry our own luggage to upstairs room. Alternatively, you can pay a US$1 or 2 as a tip to the staff to carry your luggage to your room. Every stay in any riad is a wonderful moment to discover every corner of the riad (even inside your own room) as part of our travel.
Chefchaouen (Blue City): The most picturesquare destination in Morocco. The people believes that blue will repel mosquitos which is why they painted their buildings in blue. Every corner of the street is picturesquare painted in blue. As this is my dream place, I even plan my street wear “very” carefully. I brought my favourite red jacket (great contrast with blue background) which will never fail me (to make sure that when I looked back of my photos, I also looked great). Well, every trip is special to me but this is my dream place, this is especially special occasion.
Chefchaouen
Sahara Desert: We rode camels into the Sahara Desert where we spent 1 night in luxury camp (we also covered our faces with our scarf during the ride. We look like oriental Moroccan). As it is a luxury camp, there are urban people required facilities:
Hot water for shower
Warm bed
Wi-Fi
Plug point for charging our devices (phones, cameras & etc)
This experience is very unbelievable to me. I was told by tour guide to only bring in our 1-day trip essentials including clothes. I didn’t even bring any chargers and was really surprise that there is plug point and also Wi-Fi in the middle of the desert. However, the Wi-Fi signal is only in the main camp (not available in our rooms)
Sahara Desert
Fes: Especially the instagrammable Leather Tannery
Kasbah: Fortress built long time ago (it is now a tourist visit place like a museum)
Goat Climbing Tree: The goats which will climb the Argan trees to feed of food (this is tourist stage area. However, the goats do able to climb trees).
It was a very good trip. Rich in culture, full of surprises although it is a dry country and people are poor. We as tourist are not even allow to boil hot water (according to the staff, the electricity connected is weak). A magical yet mysterious place to discover.