Casablanca, Morocco – Day 6 of our Transatlantic Cruise

Friday, November 28, 2025

Greetings from the continent of Africa! We are in “The Horn of Africa,” Casablanca, Morocco today.

Today is the only day we had pre-booked an excursion through Norwegian Cruise Line. Reporting to the theater at 8am, we followed 42 other people to bus #3 for our 6 hour tour. I was a bit leery of taking a “big bus” trip, but I was soon happy we had chosen this tour.

Our tour guide, Nyeema (sp?), was awesome! She taught us much about Casablanca, Morocco, and the culture here. Casablanca is a very eclectic city, enlivened by the diversity of Muslims, Catholics, and Jews, all at various states of conservatism or not. Nyeema said that they all get along and let each person decide between themselves and God how to worship. She didn’t grow up covering her head and just recently decided she wanted to cover. Her daughters dress like Americans. There is no issue with “modesty police” here.

Nyeema raved about their current King, Mohammed VI. He is the first king to have presented his wife to the public. His heart is for the poor and he has done much to help women gain help and respect in society. Women can vote and drive here.

Hassan II Mosque

Our first stop, after driving through the city a bit, was the Hassan II Mosque. Most mosques allow non-Muslim visitors. This mosque does, so it was a unique experienced and I’m honored to have been able to see it. Though I’m not Muslim, I can relate to and respect their deep longing and desire to grow closer to God and to please Him. They do not require visiting women to wear head covering, but I pulled my scarf up out of respect to their beliefs and traditions.

The mosque was built partially over the Atlantic Ocean because there is a verse in the Quran that says, “His throne was upon the water.” There is a glass section where some, mainly royals, can pray over the water.

When the King is in Casablanca, the mosque and courts are closed to visitors for security purposes. He had been in the city for a month, working on high-speed train plans from the airport to transport the many 2030 World Cup visitors to the various venues. As such, we saw some roads torn up and buildings being torn down or renovated. King Mohamad left a few weeks ago, so we are fortunate to have been able to visit inside the mosque.

Outside, Nyeema explained about the shape and position of the minaret (the tower.) As in many Christian traditions, the people face east. I found it interesting that the Imam also faces east rather than towards the “congregation.” Christian priests formerly faced east with their back to the congregation (and some still do, like the Anglo-Catholic churches we visited in England) until more recently in history.

Upon entering the mosque (through the women’s side), you are required to remove your shoes. They give you a bag to put them in and carry them until you leave. Once I did that, I looked around awestruck. The beauty and craftsmanship are incredible. Nyeema said the mosque was built in six (6!) years. There were three shifts that rotated so that there was continuous work done, not just building but wood carving and other skills used in intricately crafting each detail. The ceiling in the main prayer room is retractable during good weather special occasions. I’m baffled that they could do it without it being obvious when closed.

We spent some time in the main prayer room and Nyeema demonstrated how they pray. From there, we proceeded downstairs, passing the huge titanium doors that are opened by drawing them up. She said these were the women’s entrance doors.

Turkish Toilets

First things first, we were offered a toilet stop. She sang, “It’s now or never,” so we went. She was very funny and entertaining as well as educational.

Nyeema pointed us towards the bathrooms that had Western toilets, and also invited us to go into a different area to use Turkish Toilets. When in Rome… It was a cultural experience. Coming out of the toilet stall (completely private from door to ceiling), there was a long walk with water spigots and a square stone “stool” in front of each one. There are soap dispensers on the wall, so after getting soap, you sit down and wash. There was something intimate in taking care of my body in a slower way. It is hard to rush when you need to sit down to rinse.

Ablution Room

Once our group got back together, Nyeema took us in to the Ablution Room. This is an area to do ritual washing if you didn’t do it at home before arriving at the mosque. Nyeema explained the process of washing face, sprinkling some water on hair, hands, and lastly, feet. There are beautiful large “mushroom” type fountains where water pours out, beginning around ten minutes before prayer time. So they were dry during our visit.

We were in the mosque for over an hour but it didn’t feel like it. So much to absorb.

Shopping

Back on the bus, we were taken to a market. We had the opportunity to purchase spices, oils, silver jewelry, Moroccan rugs, pottery, and much more. I left with a box of “green tea leaves,” a small jar of saffron, and a bag of Moroccan spices – a blend of over 30 spices. I think it is called ras el hanout which Nyeema said was imperative to have in the kitchen.

Nyeema also said that Argon Oil is THE BEST. I picked up a large bottle of cooking grade argon oil and it was 55 Euros. So I looked at a small bottle and it was 21 Euros. I decided to pass on it since I have just begun cooking a bit more.

Produce and Fish Market

Next stop was a produce and seafood market which also had a widow-run outdoor “restaurant.” It was interesting to look around and see things. Not all of the stalls were open, likely because it is Friday. After walking through that market, we took a walking tour of the nearby old original Casablanca neighborhood called Medina (translated means city.)

Presidential Palace

The bus took us next to a government building where we walked around and saw the King’s palace (well, we saw a big wall with a fancy door and guards outside.)

Mohammad V Square

Our final stop was at Mohammad V Square large fountain with a bazillion pigeons. People like to go there and feed the birds (tuppens a bag, perhaps?) and take pictures. It reminded me of an area in Arequipa, Peru. Having already been bombed by a bird earlier in the day, I passed on feeding or holding pigeons. We couldn’t avoid walking in their “scat.” When we return home, we may need to be “spayed.” (inside joke to Peru co-travelers – the word was supposed to be “sprayed” to kill anything we may have brought in on our shoes.)

Rick’s Cafe

A bonus stop was in front of Rick’s Cafe. We took pictures from inside the bus. The cafe was built 20ish years ago as a tribute to the Rick’s Cafe in the old movie, Casablanca. We didn’t go in.

Back on the ship, we ate a light lunch at the buffet and I began working on this post.

Fair warning – there will be no post tomorrow because it will be an “at sea” day. Sunday we will port in Portugal so I plan to have one more post before we cross the Atlantic in seven days.

Thank you for traveling with us!

Notice: My photos are backwards time-wise again. 🤷