Buzz
''As Time Goes By'' is a song I cherished dearly when I began learning English in middle school, and ''Casablanca'' is the bedside film of those in their late 80s. But back then, Casablanca or Morocco to me was an incredibly distant, exotic, and remote land.
The mesmerizing beauty permeates through every alley during the Moroccan travel
Who would have imagined that 30 years later I would still be wandering through the enchanting alleys of the blue city or utterly captivated by the cuisine of the red city when visiting Morocco. And of course, losing a piece of my heart in Casablanca.
Don't visit Chefchaouen if you don't want to stay
After over 10 hours of flying from Nairobi to Casablanca and a layover in Cairo (Egypt), we arrived at Mohammed V International Airport (Casablanca) and then continued by train to Tangier to transfer to the legendary ''blue city'' of Chefchaouen. Unfortunately, a mishap occurred where our luggage got stuck in... Egypt. My travel companion was too exhausted to continue and decided to stay in Casablanca while I remained determined to head to Chefchaouen as planned.
During the train journey from the airport to Casa-Port station in Casablanca, I utilized some remnants of my college French to inquire of the locals about any other stations where I could purchase a ticket to Tangier, as the last train had left me stranded without my knowledge.
Fortunately, there was a Moroccan 'Good Samaritan' who meticulously drew (more like sketched than wrote) detailed directions for me, covering every aspect of the journey to and from Tangier and Chefchaouen, including train routes, bus routes, ensuring my utmost convenience.
Moreover, Aiz - the name of the gentleman, seemed somewhat uneasy, so he even escorted me to the next station to assist with ticket purchase and accompanied me for an additional leg of the journey back home, regretting he couldn't take me all the way to Chefchaouen. Despite my befuddlement, I forgot to ask for his email or contact details.
When the CTM bus driver announced our arrival in Chefchaouen, the city nestled in the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco unfolded before my eyes, utterly enchanting and far from disappointing as my prior internet research had suggested. A mesmerizing azure hue blanketed the skyline, truly refreshing for the eyes.
I particularly cherished the azure-hued doors adorned with the city's characteristic patterns. Each house painted in varying shades of blue interspersed among the streets, staircases, and numerous alleys, resembling each other so closely that one could easily get lost in this labyrinth with no way out. Well, I wouldn't mind being lost here forever. Who could resist such beauty!
Along every street and staircase in the blue city, souvenir shops selling characteristic items of Chefchaouen and Morocco abound, with rugs and blankets being the most prevalent. That evening, I climbed up a nearby mountain peak overlooking the city to admire the sunset and the panoramic view. Despite enjoying my time in Chefchaouen, I proceeded to catch the earliest CTM bus to Marrakesh to reunite with a friend after retrieving my luggage from the airport.
A Thousand and One Nights in the Sahara
Marrakesh, also known as Marrakech, was founded by King Youssef Ibn Tachfin of the Almoravid dynasty in 1062. The name Marrakesh in Berber means sacred land, or land of God. Like Chefchaouen, Marrakesh enchants every square meter with its red hue, from houses to city walls, stairs, and every alleyway filled with red. However, if one visits Marrakesh just for its nickname 'the red city,' they underestimate the allure of this place.
A few short days in the 'tourism capital of Morocco' were enough to overwhelm my senses with its beauty and vibrant atmosphere, partly due to its fiery redness. Djemaa el-Fna square pulsates with diverse sounds from the myriad of stalls lining its sides and the artistic performances of street performers with countless captivating acts such as circus performances, lively singing and dancing in one corner, and even fortune-telling and henna painting, making me feel like I'm at a carnival festival.
However, what truly shook me was the journey through the Sahara Desert under the scorching yet spectacular sun. The road to the Sahara is indescribably beautiful, ranging from poetic with blooming flowers on both sides to majestic as it meanders through the Atlas Mountains. And then, everything pales in comparison when reaching Zagora, known as the border between the modern civilized world outside and the wilderness. From Zagora, I staggered onto the back of a camel and embarked on an adventure across the vast golden sand sea.
That night, amidst the chilly desert air, our group, after a satisfying meal, was treated to a free cultural performance by local men accompanying us. Needless to say, I was enchanted by the sight of Moroccan men wrapping turbans around their heads, sitting cross-legged by the fire with a glass of wine in hand, or when they sang to the rhythmic beat of drums. Aren't these characters straight out of 'A Thousand and One Nights'?
In the final days of the journey, I devoted myself to Casablanca, reserving the best for last. Among the activities to do in the 'city of love,' Casablanca, my favorite was watching the sunrise at the second-largest mosque in the world, the Hassan II Mosque. The famous mosque is renowned not only for its unparalleled location right next to the Atlantic Ocean but also for its unique architecture.
The moment when the first rays of sunlight shine through each window pane at the Hassan II Mosque, with a backdrop of pigeons filling the sky and the timeless tune 'As Time Goes By,' is a breakfast scene that cannot be faulted in Casablanca.
Source: Vietnamplus
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourApril 28, 2017
