Author Topic: Morocco master thread (Read 104541 times)

Suave · « **on:** April 04, 2013, 12:53:22 AM »

I am just about completing my morocco trip. Will write a short report within the week IYH.

Suave · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2013, 10:46:45 PM »

Ok, Will keep it short and skinny.

Landed in CMN: Airport is old & rundown.

Phone:
Bought a Maroc Telecom sim card for for 50MAD (Approx $6) right in the airport - Costs about 6MAD per minute to US - #580 shows minutes remaining (inaccurate)

Car:
Rented a Hyundai Crossover for approx $50 per day - unlimited mileage + no hidden fees + includes full coverage + no deductible.

Casablanca
Hotels:
Whatever you do, do NOT stay at the Atlas (also named Relax) Hotel near CMN - We had one of the worst hotel experiences with them.
Idou Anfa is a half decent hotel in the center, right across from starbucks. (They have shabbat keys and are Jew friendly)

Do:
The market (in the medina) is very crowded & dirty - But I loved it. (You MUST bargain with everyone, always deduct at least 50%)
I suggest going in from the side rather than the main entrance ways, it's less touristy and a bit more "real"

The Hussein II Mosque is very nice - worth visiting and viewing from the outside (as infidels are not allowed in)

Morocco Mall (Largest mall in Africa)

La Corniche - Is the "broadwalk" of Casablanca - Bars, Clubs, Cafes etc...

Jewish Stuff:
There are 35 shuls in Casablanca - most are very small. Temple Beth-el is the largest and worth checking out

I have not visited the Jewish museum, but it might be worth looking into.

There is 1 Kosher store that I know of; Sucré Salé 33, rue Benbrahim El Marrakchi ex Thomas (3 minute walk from the above mentioned starbux)
Small selection of mostly imported kosher food.

Amsellem claims to be a kosher butcher but I doubt it's glatt.

Google Find: Cercle de L’Alliance is one of the centers/buildings where Jews from Casablanca hang around. The bottom floor/lobby is where people sit around, smoke cigars or cigarettes and socialize. You will also find a small bar and a mid size restaurant on the same floor with great appetizers and outstanding food (Kabobs, Steaks, Hamburgers etc).
D.E.J. J. is a restaurant that primarily serves dairy, pizzas, salads and pastas. Meat is not served here.
La Truffe offers skewered chicken accompanied with sides of bread, salad, olives and pickles. It is the most reasonably priced kosher restaurant located in the downtown area of Casablanca across from the medina.

Marrakesh
Marrakesh was nice but we only got to see the Jma El Fna marketplace which was a lovely experience. the "souk" is HUUGE. (The marketplace becomes interesting in the evening when performers come out)

Agadir
Agadir was interesting as well, nice roads, chilled atmosphere & beautiful weather (it is generally 15 degrees warmer than casablanca)

There are some very nice beachtowns on the N1 north of Agadir including Tamraght etc. (great surfing spots as well)

There is a nice place that rents ATV's and Jet skis in Tamraght - I recommend the 2.5 hour quad trip into the mountains.

Brendan Hynes lahinch1[at]gmail.com is a VERY nice Irishmen that rents out several apartments & villas along the coast.

The shul is located on Prince Moulay Abdallah across from Jardim ibn Zaidun park.

Sidenote: 1500 of 2300 Jews (including a Chabad Yeshiva) were killed in an earthquake in 1960.

Ouarzazate (Pronounced wharzahzeht)
Nice medium sized city in the south. Many movies were filmed here including the Bible TV series.

Chacham Yichyeh Ben Baruch is buried right outside of the city (PM for directions)

We found a life-sized reconstruction of the Bais Hamikdosh not far from the kever
Google Maps Link to Bais Hamikdash

General Info
Currency: The local currency is Moroccan Dirham (MAD) at time of writing it converts as 1USD = 8.43MAD
Forget Euros & Dollars, most places only accept MAD

Language: Most people speak Maghreb (Local Dialect of Arabic) & French. English is not popular out here, most people will try speaking to foreigners in french.
I was able to get around thanks to my basic knowledge of Arabic. The Jews mostly speak French between themselves - most speak Hebrew as well.

Roads: The roads here are not as bad as most 3rd world countries. I strongly recommend the Toll Roads between Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh & Agadir (I did 160/180kmh - did not see a single cop)

The road from ourzazette to Marakesh is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. It will take about 4 hours to cover 127 miles. We saw a flipped over propane truck and a car hanging precariously 3,000 feet above the ground. (do NOT attempt this road at night)

Water:
As in most 3rd world countries, I do not recommend drinking tap water here - The most popular bottled water is Sidi Ali, which is pretty decent.

Crime:
Did not see much of it. Country seems pretty safe (Most Jews do not wear their kippahs outside)

Kivrei Tzadikim:
There are over 600 Kivrei Tzadikim buried in Morocco - The most famous one being Daniel Hashomir (who is buried outside of a small village about 55km south of Marrakesh)

Please feel free to reply or PM with any questions.

This is my first Trip Report - so please excuse my noobness.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2013, 10:53:37 PM »

Nice! I would love to go to Morroco. Any idea if there is anything Kosher in Marrakesh?

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2013, 11:51:19 PM »

Great TR thanks!

Did you feel at any time that being a Jew in Morroco was unsafe?

businessmachine · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2013, 12:58:26 AM »

Great TR! I've been to Morocco twice (Mrs Bmachine is from Casablanca) and I haven't been able to tour like you have. Almost makes we want to go back as a tourist

972sg212 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2013, 01:10:46 AM »

Well written TR Sounds Fun
Spent a day in Tangier a couple of years back an experience I will never forget

mendoul · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2013, 02:23:08 AM »

The jewish museum is a small tout but worth it
I think You have to let them know before you arrive

eli1571 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2013, 10:10:06 AM »

check out reb eliezer berland thats there now due to an ongoing imvestigation, in israel he's very hard to get to
http://www.kikarhashabat.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%9C%D7%A0%D7%93-%D7%9C%D7%AA%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%93%D7%99%D7%95-%D7%A2%D7%96%D7%91%D7%95-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95.html

Marco Polo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2013, 10:13:54 AM »

I have some friends that live there. Trying to find enough time to get there for a visit.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2013, 11:54:32 AM »

Quote from: eli1571 on April 11, 2013, 10:10:06 AM

check out reb eliezer berland thats there now due to an ongoing imvestigation, in israel he's very hard to get to
http://www.kikarhashabat.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%9C%D7%A0%D7%93-%D7%9C%D7%AA%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%93%D7%99%D7%95-%D7%A2%D7%96%D7%91%D7%95-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95.html

your joking, right?

Suave · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2013, 01:09:13 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on April 10, 2013, 10:53:37 PM

Nice! I would love to go to Morroco. Any idea if there is anything Kosher in Marrakesh?

I can not tell you much about marrakesh as we were there for less than a day.

See this: http://kosherdelight.com/MoroccoRestaurants.htm

Quote from: Fan of Dan on April 10, 2013, 11:51:19 PM

Great TR thanks!

Did you feel at any time that being a Jew in Morocco was unsafe?

I have lived in anti-semetic countries before - I felt safer here than in Russia or Ukraine. (But there are still many radicals in Morocco that would love to dish out a beating to the unsuspecting jew)

eli1571 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2013, 02:07:34 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on April 11, 2013, 11:54:32 AM

your joking, right?

what part ?

ual902 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2013, 02:47:49 AM »

Quote from: Suave on April 04, 2013, 12:53:22 AM

I am just about completing my morocco trip. Will write a short report within the week IYH.

Would love to read more on your trip report..

Shreknit · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2013, 10:49:52 AM »

Quote from: eli1571 on April 14, 2013, 02:07:34 PM

what part ?

Rav berland is amazing I have seen him quite a few times. Some friends and I are considering going to morroco to see him.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2013, 11:29:33 AM »

Quote from: Shreknit on May 05, 2013, 10:49:52 AM

Rav berland is amazing I have seen him quite a few times. Some friends and I are considering going to morroco to see him.

In what way is he "Amazing"?

elikay · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2013, 11:53:43 AM »

Lol that's the mizbeach with steps.

Shreknit · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2013, 03:01:27 PM »

If your seriously intrested pm me

Emkay · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2015, 01:56:48 AM »

If I could only do one, should I do Casablanca or Marrakech?
Would be with a 6 month year old baby.

yakrot · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2015, 02:15:34 AM »

If not for the baby I would definitely say marrakech. Going to marrakech is like stepping into a time warp. It is very unique in its own way. I personally was not that impressed with casablanca, just a big third world city . (side note, I was allowed into the mosque during the official tour hours, and got a tour in English. Don't know why it was stated above that infidels are not allowed in)

Emkay · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2015, 04:13:38 AM »

Quote from: yakrot on January 19, 2015, 02:15:34 AM

If not for the baby I would definitely say marrakech. Going to marrakech is like stepping into a time warp. It is very unique in its own way. I personally was not that impressed with casablanca, just a big third world city . (side note, I was allowed into the mosque during the official tour hours, and got a tour in English. Don't know why it was stated above that infidels are not allowed in)

In which aspect is Marrakech harder with a baby?

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Author Topic: Morocco master thread (Read 104541 times)