CASABLANCA - For a lot of folks, Casablanca conjures up an idealized image as a city full of love and international intrigue. This of course has lots to do with its depiction in the iconic 1942 film that launched the careers of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

But here, the only thing that tourists will be reminded of from the film are the piano players in the bars of the city`s plush hotels. By the end of the day, you won`t want to hear a single note of the film`s theme song.

For history buffs, the city was the venue for President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill when the Casablanca Conference was held to strategize the allied European campaign against Nazi Germany in 1943.

At the time of the conference, through a tip from Nazi spies, German intel determined the location for the conference to be at the White House in D.C. not knowing it was actually meant to be Casablanca. If you ever wondered what Casablanca meant, it`s Spanish for "White House."

On the outskirts of the city, on top of the hill near the Anfa sea - was where the city originated - the first settlers apparently lived in houses painted white.

The name was given by Portuguese explorers after spotting the houses along the crest of the hill.

Present day Anfa is where Morocco`s most affluent reside. It is surrounded by a huge wall where acres and acres of lavish estates line the edge facing the sea.



Today, Casablanca is a financial hub.

It is considered the economic capital of Morocco with about 3.2 million people.

The town is at its core, a big commercial and industrial metropolis. There isn`t much of the awe-inspiring exoticism of its fabled past, and its medina has become more modern, in comparison with those of Fez and Marrakesh.

If you want tradition and a glimpse of the past, it would be advisable to plan an itinerary to neighboring cities such as heading north to the Moroccan political center, Rabat, or south to Marrakesh.

But not everything in Casablanca is related to business and commerce.

The must-see site is most definitely the Hassan II Mosque.

It is a grand, extravagant piece of architecture that most likely lightened the pockets of the city`s tax payers, but judging by the hordes of locals that converge onto the acres of real estate to enjoy the sunset by the sea, it seems it was money well spent.

The mosque is the world`s third largest after the Grand Mosque of Mecca and Prophet`s Mosque in Medina.

From Spain`s Tarifa Port to the White House

The road to Casablanca began in the port of Tangier after a 35-minute high-speed ferry ride from Spain`s Tarifa port.

Although there are plenty of plane and ferry routes to choose from, the ferries from Algeciras to Tangier are another option to consider.

But Tangier is a city worth exploring, even if only for a few hours.

Walking around the maze-like neighborhood is its own unique attraction and the old town is charming and there are plenty of things to do.

For Korean nationals, a three month visa is issued but if you are from the European Union or United States you do not require a visa. However, the passport should be valid for at least six months after the day of departure.

A one way ticket will set you back 37 Euros while a roundtrip open return ticket is about 60 Euros.

There are eight departures a day beginning at 9:00 a.m. over two hour intervals.

While walking around the city, one thing to keep in mind is that the locals are very wary of having their photos taken and that photographing women can be offensive to some due to the strict social mores of Islamic culture.

But if you must document your travels, make sure to not skimp out on the smiles and hellos.

Many children will ask for money or anything of value, so beware.

After a few hours exploring the bazaars and clusters of homes of local residents, it was off to Casablanca.

Half-way down south at a road side gas station and rest area was a large cafeteria brimming with people stuffing their mouths with what looked to be generous portions of roasted lamb and beef with Moroccan salads and stacks of khobz - a sort of flatbread.

With mouthwatering sights and smells, it was enough to send any hungry man over the edge. There was simply no way to resist giving it a go.

As a rule of thumb, veteran travelers and journeymen might say it is best to try local cuisine no matter what.

Lamb, for instance, can be an acquired taste, but the lamb at the roadside pit-stop didn`t give off any objectionable odors.

And perhaps that was the reason the establishment was so popular. Walking through the parking lot to get there, rows of expensive European cars festooned the plot of asphalt surrounded by a vast and empty landscape as far as the eye could see.

After some probing through an interpreter, one of the cooks behind the kitchen counter said the meat served in the restaurant was slaughtered just 24 hours before roasting and that their secret sauce is what brings out the flavor of the meat.



Hasan II Mosque

The minaret of the Hassan II Mosque is so grandiose you can see it prominently from about 2 kilometers from a hill in Anfa on the edge of the coast.

It is the world`s tallest standing minaret at 210 meters.

Many will be surprised to find out that this breathtaking view of a traditional Islamic Mosque was established just 16-years ago in 1993. At first glance, it looks like its existence might have reached far back to ancient times.

Once there, the first noticeable thing is how intricate the stone engravings are on every piece of masonry - using typical Islamic motifs.

Designed by renowned French architect Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues, the mosque stood on a cape facing the Atlantic which could be seen through a glass floor in a room with enough space for 25,000 worshippers.

Additional space for a further 80,000 could be accommodated in the mosque`s adjoining square.

According to the interpreter, it was inspired by a Koran verse which states "the throne of God was built on water."

Worshippers can achieve the feeling of praying directly above the sea just as the verse states, as part of the floor is made of glass.

King Hassan II specifically requested such features when he declared that he wanted the mosque to be built on the water to honor Allah, whose throne was over water.

Around the square, you could see locals riding bicycles, walking, playing football, or just enjoying the view of the sea.

From families to young couples, it seemed they were there not there to pray but to enjoy the company of others.

(kws@heraldm.com)





By Song Woong-ki