Vancouver and Casablanca

Dec 30 AC125 YYZ-YVR, Jan 1 AC314 YVR-YUL, AC808 YUL-CMN, Jan 4 AC809 CMN-YUL, AC307 YUL-YVR, Jan 5 AC116 YVR-YYZ, Jan 6 AC591 YYZ-IAH

For our country map, Africa is one of the least represented continents that we’ve visited. Clearly there are a number of places in Africa that we will never visit for various reasons, but Morocco was on the list of places that we definitely wanted to visit. Air Canada had recently launched non-stop flights from Montreal to Casablanca. Pricing was good on these flights, and was pretty similar whether you started in Toronto or in Vancouver. As I’m always interested in a few more miles, we decided to start and end the trip in Vancouver, spending New Year’s Eve in Vancouver again.

December 31

We had lovely weather in Vancouver for the end of the year. After making our way from our airport hotel, we moved downtown and explored the city, including a nice walk in Stanley Park.

The iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from our balcony

Stanley Park Totem Poles

Nine O’Clock Gun canon that fires every night

What appears to be a uranium load in Vancouver harbour (it’s actually sulphur)

Tom framing a gull photo

Life size bronze Girl in a Wet Suit in Stanley Park

Float plane airport

The working harbour

Landing sea plane

Given that our body clocks were still on the eastern time and we had early morning flights, we had a relatively quiet New Year’s Eve and made it through the NYC ball drop before fading away for the evening.

January 1

Starting in Vancouver, we spend the majority of the day traveling east, ultimately with an overnight flight from Vancouver to Casablanca.

January 2

After our early morning arrival, we made our way to our hotel, got checked in, and set out for a walking tour of the city.

Tom hasn’t found a cat he doesn’t want to capture on camera

Casablanca Cathedral under construction

Grand Theatre under construction

Mohammed V Square

Pigeons of Mohammed V Square

Well fed pigeons

Art nouveau architecture

Hotel Transatlantic

Rialto Theatre

More cats

Casablanca street art

Street side peanuts

210m minaret of 1993 Hassan II Mosque

Interior of the largest mosque in Africa

One of the many ongoing mosque tours

Lower level of the Mosque

Mosque built over the Atlantic coast

Completing our walking tour, we headed back to the hotel for drinks and dinner.

January 3

After an early morning start, we caught the train to the capital city of Rabat

Rabat Medina before the crowds

Udayas Kasbah

Exterior fortifications of the Kasbah

Stray cats roamed the Kasbah

More cats

Looking across the river to Sale

Andalusian Gardens

Andalusian Gardens

Medina

Local pottery

Tea pots

Turtles for sale. We will assume for pets.

Moroccan beldi soap

Wall of Chebakia Moroccan pastry

Active Loom in the Medina

Stray dog and pups along the river bank

Small boats make the cross between Rabat and Sale

Local chain, only somewhat derivative of another national brand

Morocco Parliament

Rabat train station

Back in Casablanca, Hassn II Mosque at sunset

After a few drinks in the lounge, we headed out for a bit of food. As we had to get an early train to the airport the next day, we were back in the hotel before dark.

January 4

We were up early for our train to the airport and made our way back to Vancouver via Montreal. Although we traveled in comfort, it was a long day of travel. In Vancouver we made it back downtown to the Hyatt.

January 5

After a brief morning walk we made our way back to the airport and on to Toronto and Houston and back to work for the new year.