Dec 9 – Casablanca

We were out relatively early today as we are visiting the Hassan II Mosque and non-Muslims are only allowed in during non-prayer times.  So we are visiting between morning and noon prayers.  The mosque is the 5^th largest in the world and is 200 meters long, 100 meters wide and 65 meters tall (a total of one meter for every day of the year).

The mosque is built on landfill right beside the ocean so the massive doors are made of titanium in order to resist corrosion by the sea salt.  

The interior prayer area is massive...

 but gorgeously and opulently finished.

There are two massive balconies that run the length of the prayer hall.  These are where the women worship.  This picture is of the bottom of one of the balconies.

In the lower level were some beautiful ablution halls.

There were some lovely gardens in the surrounding area.  

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More Hassan II Mosque Photos
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Next was a stop at the local Starbucks where Diane wanted to get a Starbucks cup for one of her children who collects them from around the world.  So we decided to have hot chocolate.  

Diane hasn’t been feeling well so she took at taxi back to the hotel while the rest of us headed out to Nidarat Des Habous, another medina.  

Similar shops, lots of cats.  More walking the adjoining area.

After walking and window shopping a bit we re-boarded the buses for a drive to the ocean front where we walked a bit along the promenade and then had lunch overlooking the ocean.  

By then another two of our group peeled off to head for the airport.  Tonight only six us of (counting Tara) will be spending the night in Casablanca before heading out at various times tomorrow. 

It’s been a great tour.