October 27 Rabat Morocco

The morning started off very nice and sunny but as the morning went on, it got cloudy and cool. Then in the middle of afternoon, it poured rain!

I headed off for some of the old area of the city. I walked along the medina wall. I found the Bab Al Had. Very nice. Even inside the wall was not packed with shops, but I still did not go into far.

I continued on towards the water. I ended up walking along a road with high walls on both sides. The road was on a hill so I could see the cemetery on both sides. Found the water but it was very windy and the waves were crashing up against the rocks. It looked great with the lighthouse in the background.

I kept walking and along the way ended up meeting a Pakistan guy who was born in England.

We ended up spending the rest of the afternoon touring around. I was the guy in the lead as he was only here for the day and had not made any plans. Found the Oudaya kasbah. Very nice. It is painted blue as the people originate from Andalusian (Spain). But we ended up with a guide whether we wanted one or not. In the end he want a lot of money for the tour... he did not get what he asked for. He was not happy!

Continued on the the Gardens done in Andalusian style as well. A very nice place away from the traffic. There was also an archaeology museum there but all in French and Arabic. Most seem to be related to eh prehistoric find in the northern part of Morocco.

We kept walking along the road and came to the Hassan II tower. This was started in the 1100s as a mosque and tower but never finished. Unfortunately the tower was behind scaffolding so could not see much but look interesting with all the partial columns in the square. It is also the location for the Mohamed V mausoleum. This is an amazing place the tile work is really something. The coffin is marble, all very elaborate. There are guards on horses at the gates, I saw 2 gates and 4 guards at the doors to the mausoleum.

It was lunch time so we caught the tram to the main train station for something to eat. We had not sat down long and it started to rain... it must have rained for a couple of hours, so it was a long lunch, with coffee! The other guy had to head off, he was only here for the day from Casablanca and I went back to hotel.
Out for dinner later. I had found restaurants in a 'sunken' square in the morning so headed there. I had lasagna but it was pretty dry... no sauce, just noodles ground meat and some spices.


October 26 Rabat Morocco

I got out of the apartment shortly after 10 and headed to the train station. I just about got dropped off at the Twin Centre..... my bad French! But made it fine. I only had 20 minutes to wait for the train.
It had to happen sometime... I was in the bathroom and I missed my stop! There was no announcement. Shortly after I got this worked out the guy came by checking tickets....I had to buy another ticket.... so much for cheap travel! I got off at the next station.... which it not that far from Mekness, almost where I started! I only had time to get off, change tracks and I was on the next train back to Rabat. Good think the ride was only about 20 minutes each way.

Getting on was a scramble... lots of people pushing to get on,, and I have my suitcase with me. I got on no problem but there were still people jumping on when the train started to move.

I arrived at hotel fine and went out to have a look around. This city seems very nice. Much calmer than Casablanca which will be a nice change. My hotel is not far from the main sites so I will not have to walk very far. Some of the buildings in the main centre are great looking.. the bank building and post office.

Rabat is my 4th and last imperial city of Morocco.

After eating and walking, I actually got a nap in. Morocco changed time on Sunday and the one hour is making a difference... that is my excuse anyway!