2019 Morocco & Gibraltar

Wednesday, 13th November 2019 This trip is a first for both of us: the first time either of us has stepped on African soil and, in Paul Simon’s words, “walked under African skies”.  Flying into Marrakech Menara Airport the landscape beneath us looked predominantly arid but, where it had been cultivated, the fields were very […]

Thursday, 14th November 2019 Following a leisurely breakfast, we set off to walk round Marrakech. Our walk led us along tree-lined boulevards with wide pavements to the Koutoubia Mosque. The city was founded in 1062 by Youssef ben Tachfin, the leader of a tribe of nomadic warrior monks known as the Almoravids and it became […]

Friday, 15th November 2019 Matilda had identified the eponymous Art Deco Jardin Majorelle as today’s “must do” visit and became quite excited when Robert suggested catching the Marrakech hop on hop off bus as the means of getting there. There was a convenient stop outside our hotel, opposite the Menara Mall.  Although many cities have […]

Saturday, 16th November 2019 Today we travel from Marrackech to Casablanca by train. Marrakech Station is in the modern part of the city, as is our hotel. It is a bright sunny day so we decide to walk the 20 minute route to the station, straight along the wide, modern boulevard where the national flag […]

Sunday, 17th November 2019 The priority in Casablanca is to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the only mosque in Morocco which non-Muslims are allowed to visit.  The hotel concierge said it would be a pleasant walk in the sunshine, but the route he directed us to, took us through an area where there was much […]

Monday, 18th to Tuesday 19th November 2019 Having had a drive around the city sights to get our bearings we thought we would walk a similar route towards the Hassan II Mosque for views across the rocky strata to the lighthouse. . . . . . and along the seafront. On the drive the previous […]

Wednesday, 20th November 2019 There were conflicting reports about whether it was possible to visit the Royal Palace, but we set off to try and gain entry, armed with our passports which we had been told we would need if we were successful. This quest proved to be an exercise in perseverance. Initially we took […]

Thursday, 21st November 2019 We had a leisurely start to the day then set off to walk the walls and the coastline. Our first landmark was the old lighthouse, which became visible through the Bab Laalou [below left] entrance to the Cimitiére Chouhada. The day was rather overcast and the Atlantic Ocean was demonstrating the […]

Friday, 22nd November 2019 Today we travel from Rabat to Tanger and move from predominantly French influences to a previously held Spanish territory. As we left Rabat we said farewell to the performance hall/opera house which was being built on the river bank opposite our hotel. An amazing construction [see feature photo at the top […]

Saturday, 23rd November 2019 This morning at breakfast we again fell foul of a miscommunication, which we had also experienced in India, when Robert’s request for two fried eggs was interpreted as two portions of two fried eggs each. So, fortified by a surfeit of eggs, we set off on a walk taking in the […]

Sunday, 24th November 2019 As we left our hotel for the next leg of this trip, we told the gentleman on reception where we were going. “Ah, home from home,” he commented. The ferry to Gibraltar leaves from Tanger Med, a new port which is benefitting from an extensive development programme and which is about […]

Monday, 25th November 2019 Matilda, having thrown up on the ferry the crossing the Straits, was particularly disappointed to be feeling under the weather on the first morning in Gibraltar where the breakfast reflected “The Rock’s” close links with the UK and tempting “full English” cooked fare was on offer. However, she contented herself with […]

Tuesday, 26th November 2019 Due to its position and its dramatic geology Gibraltar has been a strategic military and naval base for centuries and many of the tourist sights reflect this. Testament to its importance is the determination of other nations to gain control of the Rock and Gibraltar. It had faced fourteen sieges in […]