Globetrotting: Casablanca, Morocco

Let's pretend it hasn't been around 6 months since I last blogged (utterly shameful!) Well, what can I say? I got a job. Not really much of an excuse! So anyway, before I can think of another feeble excuse to pardon my extreme tardiness in blogging, let's take a trip back to Morocco to visit the ever-so charming city of Casablanca.

During our family vacation to Rabat, Morocco last year, we decided to make a day trip down south to Casablanca. Casablanca is probably one of the most well-known cities in Morocco. Well in my case, I knew of 'Casablanca' but not exactly of its location! It's one of those places like Timbuktu. Everyone knows of Timbuktu, but as soon as you ask the location...utter despair. So, prior to my trip to Rabat, I alluded Casablanca as one of those mythical places like Timbuktu, Madagascar, Atlantis etc.

One of the main attractions in Casablanca is the stunning Hassan II Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Morocco and perches magnificently over the Atlantic Ocean. The mosque is right along the coast, and as you walk along the grounds you feel the salty sea breeze against your skin. We decided to head straight for mosque when we arrived in Casablanca to pray the midday prayer.

The architecture is just breathtaking. I'll let the pictures do all the talking!

After visiting such a sublime focal point in Casablanca, I was pretty much a happy bunny. Beautiful mosques like Hassan II are not just about being surrounded by alluring structures, it's a reminder of the importance and significance of humbling ourselves both spiritually and physically to God.

After the tranquil atmosphere of the mosque, we entered the hustle and bustle of the main market area and spent the rest of day being ripped off by the local shop keepers whilst shopping for gifts to take back home. Ah, don't you just love a spot of vacation shopping! We managed to find some prime markets in Casablanca, and thinking that we would not be able to find anything similar in Rabat, we went a  little crazy and bought everything that we set our eyes on.

We also had one of the best meals on our holiday whilst in Rabat. There was such an amazing selection of restaurants it was a little overwhelming, luckily I found a cosy, tucked away restaurant via TripAdivsor that served authentic Moroccan cuisine at an amazing prize! We enjoyed traditional tagines, fresh salads and the most delightful dessert known to man (woman).

I introduce you to Nougat Glace. 

It's basically a frozen nougat dessert, but the combination of cold creamy nougat with the raspberry sauce is tantalizing! Definitely a gem of a dessert and something worth looking out of if you happen to find yourself in Morocco. Nougat is a staple in Morocco and can be found in giant blocks on every street corner. You tell the nougat folk how much you want and they carve scrumptious mounds of the most amazing nougat that you will ever taste!  

  

Let's have another look, in case we missed some glorious chunks of praline (drool)

It's one of those meals that is so nostalgic that just thinking about it takes me right back to the dusty streets of Casablanca!

For a day off breathtaking sights, swifty swindlers and delish cuisine, Casablanca is the place to be, and between you and me...it really is a real place.