Morocco Day 2

Day 02 - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - Flight to Casablanca, Morocco and Transfer to Marrakech

Our overnight Trans-Atlantic flight was actually only 7.5 hours. We read, tried to sleep a little, but found the noise, the broken seats, and the lights that either did not work or then when they fixed them did not turn off, were all too challenging for any meaningful sleep.

We arrived in Casablanca at Mohammad V Airport at 7:40 am. Because this is not our final destination, we did not have to clear customs or go through immigration. We went to the transit area and then through security folks which were very friendly!

We found our Gate 15 easily in this small modern airport. We looked everywhere for a plug-in but found none. I finished the first day’s journal and then just relaxed in the waiting room.

It was wonderful to catch up with Barb who we had traveled with years ago on our very first OAT Adventure to Peru. Her friend Vilma, also from California, showed us photos of her family and we got to know her a little better.

The flight to Marrakech was not until 11:55 so we had lots of time to catch our breath. There was a very small coffee shop but no gift shops, no ATM machines, and not many people in this small airport.

We were called for our flight at 11:15 and then boarded a shuttle bus that took us to our awaiting aircraft. As crowded as our two previous flights were, the last leg was almost empty. The 737 carried less than 25 of us over the Moroccan countryside to Marrakech.

Our 40 minute flight was very comfortable and very quiet. The skies were clear and we could see the cultivated and irrigated fields and the small villages below.

We landed at 12:35 and went right to passport control to get our passports stamped. When we arrived at the baggage claim area we both began to smile as our two checked bags were there on the carousel waiting for us.

Our OAT Tour Director Jamal, met us right outside the arrival gate. We walked a short distance to the parking area and met our driver and our mini-van.

Jamal explained a few basic facts about water, currency, taking photos, and our plan for the rest of the day. We drove the short distance into the city and to Mohammad V Avenue and then right to our hotel.

The streets were filled with cars, scooters, bicycles, and horse drawn carriages. The hotel is a very quaint Moroccan style locally run establishment. Jamal took our passports and we were checked in in no time at all.

We were served a welcome drink of mint tea with a flat coconut cookie. Jamal took this opportunity to tell us about his wife and two young daughters as well as more about his city and the country of Morocco.

Morocco is a Democratic Constitutional Islamic Kingdom and therefore religion plays a very important part in the government and the lives of the people.

After our orientation session we went to our rooms and unpacked. We decided to walk around the city as we were so tired from our overnight trip. The temperature was 80 degrees and the humidity was 47%, both much higher than we had left in Colorado! The altitude of Marrakech is 1749 feet above sea level.

We explored the city streets, found an ATM machine and tried to avoid the motor scooters and heavy traffic. We learned quickly that pedestrians do not have the right-away!

We returned to our room and took a refreshing shower, got the air conditioner to work, and tried to post the journal. The internet connection is very slow so I had a difficult time.

At 5:00pm we met Jamal, Barbara, and Vilma in the lobby for a walking tour of the city. We started in the French Quarter and ended up walking about 7 miles to the end of the new hotel and tourist center. All buildings in the city must be a variation of the same rust/earth tones and no building can be over 4 stories high. This is so the people of the city can always see the minarets on the mosques.

Most women here are wearing scarves, but many are completely veiled. The men and children generally dress in the newest European styles. Jamal however, wears a Jallaba, a long hooded shirt covering his white shirt and slacks.

Almost 100% of the Muslims here in Morocco are the Orthodox or Sunni who follow the direct descendent of Mohammad. Jamal gave us even more information about his country and religion as we walked for almost 2.5 hours discovering the city.

We walked back to our hotel and arrived at 7:45, just in time for our first Moroccan meal. The four of us ate on pillows and little stools and enjoyed our traditional meal of vegetables, turkey, and fruit for dessert.

At 8:45 we returned to our cool room and began to type the journal and sort the photos of our first day in Morocco.

Accommodations: Moroccan House Hotel - - - Meal: B, L, D

Please see our Trip Evaluation -- Click Here -- A Complete Review of Overseas Adventure Travel Pre-Trip to Marrakech, Morocco.

If you are traveling individually may we recommend:

Jamal Boularhbar, Tour Leader

recommended by National Geographic Adventure Magazine

j_boularhbar@hotmail.com

+212 611 320 874