Morocco & Portugal

 

Casablanca, Morocco

A few things about Casablanca:

• Casablanca means 'white house' and most of the buildings here are painted white. 
• There are two neighborhoods in Casablanca called California and Florida.
• Most people in Morocco speak Arabic and are Muslim.
• Palm trees are everywhere!
• Casablanca has the largest mosque in the world. 
• Ramadan had just ended so almost everything was closed the day I toured Casablanca. It was neat to see the city as a ghost town!

Lunch by the ocean

Largest mosque in the world

A christian church in Casablanca

Hostel in Casablanca

View from rooftop patio of hostel

Walk to the grocery store in Casablanca

Rick's Cafe

Rabat, Morocco

Roman city 2 century BC to 1400

Roman city 2 century BC to 1400

Roman city 2 century BC to 1400

Roman city 2 century BC to 1400

Hassan Tower from 13th century

Seaside town

Marrakech, Morocco

The landscape from Casablanca to Marrakech slowly turned from palm trees to desert then mountains in the distance. There were lots of farms (orange, olive and eucalyptus tree farms) and goats along the way. It was over 100 degrees when we got to Marrakech. 

A few facts about Marrakech:

• Marrakech is known for palm trees. The female palms produce dates and the males do not.
• The Moroccan government invests a lot of money into Marrakech to make the grounds green and to build new buildings because of the increased tourism to this area.
• Almost all the buildings in Marrakech are red.
• Painting a house red keeps it cool inside and doesn't reflect light like white does. The sun reflecting from the white would blind people!
• Marrakech was founded around 1050.
• All water in the city comes from the Atlas Mountains (snow capped mountains in the background of the city).
• There are an average of 300 days of sun every year in Marrakech.
• Almost everyone in Marrakech goes to a "steam bath" once a week. They look like white domes in houses.
• Marrakech has a king and a king never marries a queen. He marries a middle or low class woman to keep the blood line healthy. He can marry from any class or religion.

Top left picture with a traditional water vendor

King's house: 

People usually wait hours to get in here but we walked right in because of the holiday weekend!

King's house

Carpet store and view from their rooftop

Blanket made from cactus I got from the carpet store 

(made by Burbur women of Morocco, takes 3-8 months to make blankets and rugs)

Pharmacy in Marrakech

Souks of Marrakech

My tour guide in top left picture

Botanical gardens

Portugal

A few things about Lisbon, Portugal:

• The city is built on wood stakes and Roman ruins are underneath.
• The first "bull fight" in Lisbon was with a rhinoceros on town square and there were elephants running around that were brought here from other countries.
• They just had an Iron Man here the day before I arrived!
• World sailing championships stop by here.
• Sailing, surfing and kite surfing are huge in Portugal.
• Portugal is a huge cork exporter. Cork comes from the cork tree.
• I tried to buy an adorable pair of flats at a little store in town but the biggest size they made was 8.5... the lady said my feet aren't too big their's are just too small 😂 I don't believe her lol

Driving through Lisbon, Portugal

Most western tip of Europe

Most western tip of Europe video

Cork from a cork tree in bottom right picture

Odd stuff on bathroom walls in right pictures lol

Traveisseiro is a pastry in Portugal and is translated to "pillow" in English. It contains almond and eggs and is so flaky and delicious! Goes well with a port wine!

Most trees seemed to lean a little in Lisbon, not quite sure why...