Category Archives: Morocco

Essential Essaouira

One of the windiest cities in Africa sits on the Atlantic coast. Essaouira is a beautiful fortified town that has enough untaken photographs to fill a portfolio.

The smell of fresh, filleted fish linger in the narrow, damp, alleys. Spices, paintings and traditional Moroccan items are for sale as owners yell out their prices. The artsy feel reminds a bit of Ubud, Bali on certain levels.

Jimmy Hendrix stayed in Essaouira for a few days in July of 1969. However, local legend has it that his famous song, “Castles Made of Sand” was inspired by the beach castle ruins (pictured above) in Essaouira but he wrote the song two years prior.

Hassan II

In 1980, King Hassan II noted the following during his birthday celebration.

“I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time… I want to build this mosque on the water, because God’s throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God’s sky and ocean”

I shot these with a Tokina 12-24 Wide Angle lens.

Images from El Jadida

It was known as Mazagão. From 1502 to 1769 the Portuguese controlled the area and built a beautiful fortification. Drawing on advancements in design and thought from the Renaissance, the Portuguese left behind an amazing structure that currently is identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue reading

Doors of El Jadida

When I walk by an old door and it’s open, it whispers, “Hello, come on in.”

When I walk by an old door and it’s closed, I know its history is tried and true.

When I walk by an old door and it’s closed, it whispers, “Traveler, who are you?”

 


Trekking the High Atlas

Morocco boasts some of the most spectacular mountains in the world for trekking. Just under the snowy peaks of the High Atlas range…sit Berber villages that look the same as they did hundreds of years ago. Continue reading

Colorful Djemaa el Fna

At the heart of the Marrakech medina is the animated Djemma el Fna (ساحة جامع الفناء). Here you can take in the smell of the food carts and sort out the sounds of story tellers and snake charmers. Continue reading

hay Hassani Market

The following is a gallery from hay Hassani Market in Casablanca, Morocco. It features a great place to get some snaps for anyone who likes market photography. Photographing structures is not unique aside from the variable lighting and time period. Markets offer people, which I like photographing in real time. For that specific shot is unique.