Exploring the magnificent city of Morroco

by Kanu Bhatnagar

Salaamwalekum, let me introduce you to the kingdom of Morocco, rough, raw yet modern & contemporary; it is the land of colourful scenes, aromatic spices & rich flavourful foods; with its warm tropical temperatures providing for a variety of landscapes, from driving through the atlas mountains to gazing the stars in the sahara desert to exploring the buzzing markets of Marrakesh & Fez, you would be spoilt for choice..

A 3 hour direct flight from London takes you to the country’s capital Rabat; where you can see authenticity & spirituality perfectly infused with metropolitan lifestyles. A melting pot of Arab / Muslim cultures with very distinctive French influence, the place today represents the new aspects of modern life. You need 2 to 3 days to visit the prominent historic landmarks of the city which largely include :

Kasbah De Udaya – a small dreamy sea side town on the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. With dominant white walls & blue doors & encapsulated by a huge fortress which then acted as a defence mechanism against attacks & threats, this place feels like a small living & breathing town in a town.

Chellah which is a medieval necropolis i.e. burial ground for royal Moroccans. Spend your time here searching for eels, watching big storks nesting around the tall minaret and walking under the dense orange trees. Tower of Hassan an unfinished mosque surrounded by two hundred pillars is one of the most iconic monuments of the city which offers interesting views in the afternoon and transforms into an impressive dazzling beauty in the night.

Your trip to Morocco is incomplete without getting lost in the labyrinth of streets in the medina of Fez which is the second largest Moroccan city.

The medina (old town) is rough & raw & it stands as – is from centuries ago. It may not fit into your contemporary expectations but these action packed streets will be a sure surprise for any visitor. As you peep into the alleyways of Medina you will find the old man in his tea stall brewing fresh Moroccan tea, the kaftan clad beautiful woman cooking in a small table sized kitchen, the man with the mysterious story & his Aladdin carpet, the colourful spice tombs, the sugar laced sweets & candies, the bunch of kids running around the streets, woman enjoying their after chores midday break peeping from the windows, nimble donkeys & mules working as trucks & lorries transporting all things big or small, it is here that time loses its significance & you start to lose perspective of time.

Casablanca

This city has authentic big city vibe. Beautiful French colonial architecture, grand old hotels & crowded European cafes line the sidewalks. The place may not feel as atmospheric or touristy unlike the Moroccan symbolic Fez / Rabat but it is the Cosmopolitan & economic heart of the country which is modern, liberal & colourful. Spend the day admiring the intricate architectures of the one of the tallest building in Morocco, Hasan 2 Mosque. Enjoy a lazy afternoon around the mosque which is set on the shore overlooking the Atlantic . Pack a small picnic & reward yourself with Moroccan Mint tea & take the time to soak in the beauty of this architectural masterpiece.If you have time do visit the Habous market , a traditional Moroccan souk which is vibrant, lively & full of character & savour the Casablanca of contrasts.

Morocco is this and much more, a travellers delight, a cultural explosion, progressive & cosmopolitan, warm & welcoming and ruthlessly persuasive to wanting to come back again.

There is so much to discover here that one short trip can definitely not justify the variety of experiences, the country has to offer.Enjoy this place once & the mad obsession & its old world charm will surely bring you back again.