Fez To Fez

RABAT

The first stop on our tour of Morocco is the capital city of Rabat. Along with its neighboring communities of Sale and Temara the population exceeds 2.5 million. Rabat is located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco at the mouth of the River Bou Regreg.

What a difference some rest will make! We arose for breakfast at the wonderful Riad Zyo where we were served chocolate cakes in the shape of a rose, savory mustard pastries, Moroccan crepes, French toast niblets, omelets, toast, three jellies, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee. After such a meal we decided that another nap was in order. Then we ventured out into the streets of Rabat. We walked all afternoon and evening starting at the Oudaia Kasbah. The fortress of Oudaia Kasbah dates back in part to the twelfth century and is found on a hill at the Northernmost point of the old city overlooking both the ocean and the walled medina of Rabat. We stopped for mint tea and pastries at the Café Maure where Cindy got her hand hennaed and then on to the Andalusian Gardens.

Henna, pastries and mint tea

Doorway in the Andalusian Gardens

We proceeded back to the medina and onto the Rue des Consuls, where most of the foreign consulates were previously located, and which is now lined with shops filled with brightly colored artifacts.

Not-Morgan Freeman in a shop full of wonderful wooden boxes.

Next, we walked to the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

Hassan Tower

The Hassan Tower dominated the landscape on the drive in from the airport. This tower has stood in this site for more than 800 years and is surrounded by the austere remains of the unfinished Hassan Mosque prayer hall. Nearby stands the Royal Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the father of Moroccan independence; this magnificent building was designed by Vietnamese architect Vo Toan.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Guard at the Mausoleum

Our feet were aching by the time we returned through the bustling medina crowded with people searching for bargains and perhaps grabbing a repast of the sweet smelling street food available all along our route home.

The Medina post-twilight

Once again, our memories are filled with the faces of the amazing people that we saw along the way: