The door on my balcony sits wide open allowing the cool, unfamiliar breeze to come in and out of my hotel room as it pleases. Outside I hear the large waves crashing and lapping on the shore and that same breeze rustling the leaves of the palm trees that line the paths. Next to me sits a plate of cookies coated in almonds, honey and flavors I’m not yet familiar with.

This isn’t some kind of dream in which I get rudely woken from by three excited children, I am actually in Morocco. I haven’t even been here a full day and already I’m eager to share some photos with you. I’m not quite certain I’ll be able to update daily but you can be certain that there will be plenty of photos and many more cookies.

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The mosque in Casablanca

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Breakfast tagine of eggs and lamb.

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Moroccan mint tea, perfectly sweet and floral

*I was graciously sent here by the Moroccan tourism board. All photos and words are my own.

60 replies on “Morocco, day 1”

  6. I *love* Morocco. Make sure you have someone show you how to make the perfect pot of Mint tea, so you can recreate it when you’re home. And if possible, pick up a chunk of sugar there… it’s different and works better for the tea. The owner of the riad we stayed at in Fez let us watch him make tea in the kitchen one night.

    Please tell me you’re going to Fez. It’s by far the best Morocco has to offer (and most historic)!

  9. What an amazing opportunity. It’s my dream to go to Morocco. Hoping we are stationed there someday; in the meantime, will live vicariously through your photos and words!

  16. Ashley, I’m so glad you got to visit the Hasan II Mosque! One of the most beautiful religious structures in the world, in my opinion, and I’ve seen quite a few. Enjoy your time and drink lots of mint tea!

  25. Very beautiful but where are the cookies? I love tagines, however I had never seen a breakfast one, yummy.

  29. Great pics…that look very familiar! I am a fellow PNWer (from Portland) also currently in Casablanca. Are you covering the food of the festival starting this weekend? Make sure they drive you to see the side of town where they’re selling all the sheep this week (SW I think).
    I’m here for a few months helping to open a coffee shop. Apparently much needed in the sea of Nespresso here. Until our equipment is up and running, tea is the way to go. 🙂
    I look forward to hearing/seeing what else you’re up to.

    1. @Danielle – How cool! We aren’t going back to Casablanca unfortunately. We did see several trucks driving in filled with sheep. Tomorrow we head further down the coast – to the oyster beds. In a few days we head to Marrakech. What sort of coffee shop are you opening? I have noticed the abundance of Nespresso. 🙂 The tea is amazing.

  31. Morocco looks absolutely breathtaking. It has always been at the top of my list of places to visit before I die, and your gorgeous pictures just make me want to travel there even more! Thank you!

  34. ahhh, I’ve been there…and to those exact spots! Your photos bring me right back, it’s so beautiful–and oh, the details they use in their architecture and designs are just absolutely stunning. Amazing,

  35. Beautiful, just beautiful. Morocco is a feast for the senses – enjoy! If you get the chance, some of the markets offer lamb which you can buy literally pulled off the spit, served with fresh bread and a bowl of cumin for dipping. Not to be missed!

  36. Hi Ashley,
    I work in Morocco but I’m over in Tunisia at the moment – I wish I’d known you were coming – I’d have loved to have met you for a mint tea. Have a marvellous visit and enjoy the experience. Pop over to Tunisia next :))) Love L XXX

  45. i am heading to Morocco in April on an organized hiking trip…i wish April was tomorrow. Your photos leave me with the feeling of my camera already in my hands; i can smell the smells i can hardly wait to smell…

  51. Ashley these photos are stunning. Enjoy Morrocco! I hear @habituallychic is along as well…..sounds like the Moroccan Tourism Board knows who to invite! Will be following along…..Thanks for sharing xx

  56. Oh Morocco….I’ve been wanting to go so badly, for so long. I stumbled on these posts of your journey there and was instantly captivated…I can never get enough of the visuals from this country….your pics are gorgeous! And I am a definite fan of preserved lemons.

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