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Touring Casablanca

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 Our driver, Kamal, picked us up at 10 and we drove to Hassan ll Mosque, one of the most iconic landmarks of Casablanca.  Built in 1987-1993.  Thousands of engineers and artisans working 24 hours a day for the 6 years.  Many modern innovations mixed with the traditional. A very imposing structure, with striking interiors. The great hall and our guide Najat. The chandeliers are 800 kilos and made of Italian Moreno glass. The men's ablution room.  14 lotus shaped fountains run to prepare for prayer. The women's is the same with different coloured mosaic. The stone, mosaics and plaster carvings are amazing.  We drive around the bay to view the mosque from afar. The mosque is built on reclaimed land.  We continued along the Corniche to see the beach clubs, and then on to the Old Medina.  We drive by Mohammed V Square which is surrounded by government buildings and a new theatre. Our guide was not too impressed with the style of the new theatre, she fe...
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Travel day to Casablanca

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 We leave Essaouira at 9:30 and traffic is very light. Camels heading to work on the beach. We drive through several small towns along the coast, some have markets happening. We pass through Safi, known for pottery. Beautiful centerpiece for a roundabout. On to stop for lunch at the Octopus restaurant. in El Oualidia. Lovely views from the restaurant. Nice setting by the pool.  A little drive around the resort before leaving.  Stork nest on the mosque. Traffic is outrageous in Casablanca, Kamal is glad to drop us off at Barcelo Anfa.  It's big and lovely. Tour of the city tomorrow.
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Essaouira

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 Our new driver,Kamal, met us at the Marrakech Riad and hotel and we set off for Essaouira.  It took awhile to leave Marrakech, and then the road was quite good and traffic wasn't too bad.  We passed through several small villages and it appears Monday is market day.  Very busy with the donkey cart parks full.  We stop at an argon oil cooperative operated by women.  We see the nuts and how they are traditionally cracked. The goats love the nuts and climb the trees to get them.  Apparently they just like the shells not nuts. Nuts. The lady cracks them with a rock. In order for the nuts to be edible they have to be roasted. For cosmetic uses they are ground. We carry on to Essaouira and check into our hotel. Very nice, on the beach of the Atlantic ocean.  We asked Kamal to take us to the nearby Gary Player designed golf course.  He had not been to a golf course and was keen to understand what the big deal was to us. Kamal drove us to the Medina...
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Cooking Lessons Today

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 Anas picked us up after breakfast and took us to a local family cooking enterprise. We joined a group of six others, a couple from the Netherlands and a family from the UK.  They were all visiting on a school holiday time. Sara our host took us to the Souk to buy everything we need for lunch. All the veg for the Tangine, eggplant side, pepper side, salad and bread. Chicken for the Tangine, live from the cage at the back of the store.  Head to the cat waiting outside. Making the pastry for dessert very much like Filo but a lot sturdier. We chopped and chopped and chopped. Making the spice mix for the chicken and marinade, placed in the Tangine and put on the flame. Built the veg Tangine with marinade and spices. Last ingredients of peas and grape tomatoes.  Everything fresh. Simmering away. Peeling tomatoes for the salad. More chopping. Finished eggplant on the left and peppers on the right. Veg Tangine. Chicken, preserved lemons and olives. The whole meal, overwhelm...
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