Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
In the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
The Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco was our first introduction to some of the amazing and intriguing small lanes and narrow streets in so many of the country’s cities and towns. This area is primarily a living area with little in the way of shops and bazaars and street vendors so typical of the medinas throughout the country. This was a quiet area, with little lanes going off in all directions. I was pleased that we had a guide to take us through, and the show us the way back to our bus.
On the other hand, I would have been quite content to have had several hours to just wander the streets at leisure, taking in the sights, clicking away with my camera and soaking up the atmosphere of this exotic place. This is what I did by myself when in Kathmandu some years ago; it was an excellent way of discovering some wonderful spots.
More photos coming in the next few days.
In the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
In the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
In the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
One of the first long walks we did on our visit to Morocco was through the area known as the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, the capital city. This walk took us through the meandering maze of streets, lanes, apparent dead-ends and old structures like that shown above. The locals living there maintain their properties in colourful ways, as shown below.
I was intrigued by the colourfully decorated walls, windows and doorways. These are typical to the magic and mystery that is Morocco. I could have happily kept wandering for hours, taking in the exotic and exciting sights. Little did I know that in the following two weeks of our visit we would be doing just that. More photos in the coming days and weeks.
In the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
In the Kasbah des Oudaias in Rabat, Morocco
Sala Colonia Roman ruins, Chellah, Rabat, Morocco
Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco
I have lived all of my life in Australia. Our country has a long and ancient heritage in our Aboriginal history, but nothing in the way of ancient buildings. The Aboriginal rock carvings are often millennia old and totally absorbing as such. Because of their lifestyle, the Australian Aboriginal people did not need to build impressive buildings like we see in Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.
So when we visited Morocco we naturally marvelled at the age of some of the old Roman ruins. Our guides were meticulous in relating the historical significance of places like these Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat. I was not aware before this of the Roman influence on life in Morocco.
Totally fascinating.
More photos coming tomorrow.
Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco
Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco
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