Photo Essay: Kasbah des Oudaïas And Le Tour Hassan, Rabat, Morocco

Crumpled and torn. Already battered, yet we were using it for the first time. Our toddler Luna prolly had too much fun playing with it. The map that Jahlil, our Couchsurfing host, doodled may not be Lonely Planet worthy but it served its purpose well. Which was to guide us through Rabat's labyrinth-like walled medina towards Kasbah des Oudaïas on the Atlantic Coast.

It was day 254 of our round-the-world trip.

Like many other administrative capitals of the world, Rabat does not have enough charm to seduce off the beaten path trotters. But for those who let themselves go astray in this relatively laid-back metropolis, a gem could be waiting around the corner. We found a handful of them.

Bab Oudaia, magnificent gateway to Kasbah des Oudaïas. This Moorish arch was a project of Almohad Sultan, Yacoub al-Mansour, built in the twelfth century. 

  An old man donning a Moroccan Berber robe strolling alongside his grandson whom Luna stalked for some time.      Sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean from the Plateforme du Semaphore (Signal Platform).     Overlooking the city of Salé (believed to be the oldest city in the Atlantic Coast), on the opposite side of the Bou Regreg river.   Stumbled upon a weaving center that's obviously set up for tourists. Surprisingly deserted.   Inside Kasbah des Oudaïas, whitewashed houses line up along narrow alleys. Anyone can freely enter and wander around the kasbah. No admission fees, no guide needed.
Tranquil Andalusian Gardens, popular to sauntering lovers, lie behind this wall.   Overpriced Moroccan pastries from Cafe Maure, comes with an awesome view of the estuary. Ideal place to jot down those mushy sentiments on your journal.   Because our visit is both a blessing and a celebration. Henna artwork done after much harassment from a Moroccan artist hanging out in Cafe Maure.   Le Tour Hassan, Rabat's most famous landmark. Another project of Yacoub al-Mansour, a minaret that was supposed to be sixty meters high. The tower was abandoned when al-Mansour died.   Our three-day stopover in Rabat was a spontaneous move, initiated by a vague plan of meeting my Moroccan ex-boss whom I worked with for six months in Abu Dhabi four years ago. Due to conflicting schedules, we weren't able to meet up during those three days, but eventually did 19 days later on our last day in Morocco... An account for a different day.

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