Archive for February, 2013

Drumming up some business

Drummer at the entrance of Sala Colonia, Rabat, Morocco

On our visit to the ancient Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco, we were greeted by this drummer at the entrance of the walled fortress. He was drumming up some business, and when he saw me taking his photo, he expected some payment. Although our guide gave him some tips, I am sure by the look of him that he expected more from individuals, especially photographers.

I guess it was a little mean-spirited of me not to give a token amount. I hope he was satisfied with the offerings of several others on our tour group.

Chellah in Rabat, Morocco

Chellah, Rabat, Morocco

Chellah in Rabat, Morocco

During our short visit to Rabat in Morocco we visited the Chellah district, including this old, impressive fortress. The walls surround an old part of the city and include a magnificent garden as well as the Roman ruins of Sala Colonia. (Photos of these ruins in a few days’ time.)

I found that these impressive fortress walls quite intriguing; we have nothing like them in our young country here in Australia.

Chellah in Rabat, Morocco

Gardens at Chellah in Rabat, Morocco

Chellah in Rabat, Morocco

Scenes of Rabat, Morocco

Scenes of Rabat, Morocco

On our visit to Morocco we sadly didn’t spend much time in the capital Rabat. The tour we were on could only cover the highlights of a country. It would take many months – even years to see everything worth seeing. The few hours we had in this beautiful and intriguing place were enough to whet the appetite and make one vow to someday return – for a much longer period.

Today I share a few photos taken during that stay. They do not do justice to the city.

Scenes of Rabat, Morocco

Scenes of Rabat, Morocco

Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco

Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco

Shortly after arriving in the capital city Rabat during our tour of Morocco, we stopped briefly at the Royal Mosque. We only walked around the perimeter before moving on to the Royal Palace. Like many mosques around the world, we were not permitted entry, unlike the magnificent mosque in Casablanca, about which I wrote a few weeks ago.

Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco

Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco