Magical Morocco
No Comments »2nd October, 2012; Category: Africa, Exotic Destinations, Holidays, Morocco, Trip report
Streets of Casablanca, Morocco
Magical Morocco!
That says it all.
From visiting our daughter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for two weeks we flew out in the early hours to Casablanca. We couldn’t get a direct flight so we had to go via Cairo. Sadly we didn’t have more than a few hours there – and spent all of our “visit” to Egypt in the transit lounge. I was also disappointed that we were on the wrong side of the plane coming into Cairo. The pilot announced that the pyramids could be see off to the left; we were sitting on the right-hand side of the plane. The pyramids will have to wait until another trip; I guess they’re not going anywhere in a hurry.
The flights to Casablanca were uneventful. Getting through customs, however, took forever. After the delay we were united again with our daughter who had arrived on a different flight as we couldn’t get seats on the same flights. We also met our tour guide for our time in Morocco, Said, who we instantly took a liking to; he was the perfect guide for our two week tour of his country.
As we left the airport our first views of Morocco were rain soaked. This was the first rain we’d had since leaving home, and the last for the whole trip – except for a light drizzle one day a few weeks later. Our driver quickly whisked us through down-town Casablanca to our hotel for the night, and we quickly settled into our very comfortable rooms.
Today I’ve posted several photos taken of Casablanca from the balcony of our hotel. Not very exciting, and rain splattered as well.
Streets of Casablanca, Morocco
Streets of Casablanca, Morocco
Streets of Casablanca, Morocco
Animal markets in Addis Ababa
No Comments »29th September, 2012; Category: Africa, Animals, Ethiopia, Exotic Destinations, Holidays
Animal markets in the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
On our last evening during our stay in Addis Ababa late last year my wife and I went for a stroll through the local streets and marketplaces. It was interesting to see a way of life in complete contrast with what we are used to here in Australia. Of particular interest were the many animals for sale in the main street of the suburb where we were staying while visiting out daughter. The animals – cattle, goats and sheep – were very docile and despite not being yarded in any way were not at all spooked by the noisy car, truck and bus traffic a metre or so away, nor did the many pedestrians upset them either.
I must have looked like a very rich person because I was offered many animals as we walked along. I was not sure what the going price for a nice lamb would have been, so I politely declined to buy any. Besides, we were scheduled to fly out a few hours later; I didn’t want to try explaining a live goat or lamb under my arm as carry-on luggage.
Animal markets in the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Animal markets in the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Animal markets in the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Street scenes in Addis Ababa
Street scene, Addis Ababa
Street scene, Addis Ababa
These photos were taken in suburban Addis Ababa in Ethiopia during an evening walk during our stay in that city last December.
Shopping in Addis Ababa
No Comments »26th September, 2012; Category: Africa, Ethiopia, Exotic Destinations, Holidays, Shopping
Street scene, Addis Ababa – fruit shop
Like many African and Asian cities, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia is an intriguing place to go shopping. While we didn’t do all that much shopping while visiting our daughter, we saw enough to be fascinated by the differences between Africa and Australia, but also interested in the similarities.
In today’s post I am featuring three kinds of shops: a fruit shop, a clothing shop and a shop selling just car oil (though it might have also been selling car parts; I didn’t go inside).
Street scene, Addis Ababa – clothing shop
Like in Australia, shop keepers often spill their wares out onto the footpath (though the footpath shown above is quite a rarity, being actually a reasonably smooth surface).
Street scene, Addis Ababa
Palace of Emperor Menelik, Entoto Natural Park, Ethiopia
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
On one of the days we spent in Addis Ababa last December we hire a local driver to take us to the Entoto Natural Park. This short, easy drive emerges at the top of one of the mountains overlooking the city. At 3200 metres altitude the view is spectacular – but only on a clear day. Fortunately for us there was very little pollution that day.
First we paid the small fee to have a guided tour of the museum dedicated to Emperor Menelik II. after that we walked around the magnificent Entoto Maryam Orthodox Church. Behind the church are the well-kept remains of the palace of the emperor, featured in the photos on this post.
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa