We left for Casablanca right after breakfast. I slept for a large portion of this ride and so missed seeing much of the passing scenery. We arrived in Casablanca and had lunch at a restaurant directly across the street from our hotel, the Royal Mansour. After lunch, we check into our rooms and then go on a bus tour around the city. We stop to visit the Hassan II Mosque, which is the 2nd largest mosque in the world. It sits on a point of reclaimed landfill, stretching out over the Atlantic Ocean. It was completed in 1993 after 6,000 craftsmen worked on it day and night for 5 years. We walked around the esplanades in a light rain and saw many students reading and studying. There are daily tours of the mosque, except on Fridays (which is the day we were there!). As we drove away, I looked back and could see how the building juts out into the ocean on a stone platform supported by huge columns at the base. For all its size, it seemed to be floating on the water.
Our driving tour around the city took us through an upscale residential area and we admired lovely private homes. Of course, we made a point to see the main post office as well. We stopped and went into a bookstore where both Martha and Marian purchased books. We then drove to the Royal Palace and were allowed to enter the courtyard to look around. I think Larbi knew the guard! The archway over the door had beautiful blue tilework as well as carved stucco and the traditional green tile roof. From here, we went to see the Law Offices and Islamic courts. There were many rooms beautifully decorated with carved plaster and wood in the traditional Moorish style. We walked to one last souvenir shop, a real five-and-dime type place. We did manage to get some key chains and a silver spoon at good prices (I think!). Then back to the hotel for dinner and final packing.