On Day-1 we arrived at Casablanca and visited Hassan II mosque. Although short, we loved Morocco so far. After having our dinner, we went back to our hotel (for a while) to grab our stuff and went straight to the train station. We wanted to try sleeper train, so we bought sleeper train first class ticket. The duration from Casablanca to Tangier is 5 hours.
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Train from Casablanca to Tangier
We departed from Casa Voyageur (Casa traveller) Train station in Casablanca at 00:45 am and arrived around 7 am in the morning. We purchased the ticket at Morocco Railway Casa Voyageur Ticket Office. However, one can purchase it on Morocco Railway ONCF’s website, or through ticket machine or ticket office at the station. Just now I checked, but the latest train departs at 19:00 an arrive at 21:00, while the earliest departs at 07:00 and arrive at 09:00 (2 hours duration).
The ticket for direct train service is 246 MAD (393,000 IDR/26 USD), for 2nd class ticket direct service, as per October 2020. Some indirect trains stop at Sidi Kacem or Kenitra. Trains in Morocco is divided in compartment, whereas 1st class consists of 6 seats per compartment, and 2nd Class consists of 8 seats per compartment. When you book first class ticket, you can reserve the seat. While on the 2nd class, the ticket is as per first come first served basis.
About Tangier
Tangier is a place where Mediterranean sea meets Atlantic Ocean. Cape Spartel is the most northwestern point in Africa and located just west of the city. The iconic cape is very easy to spot and rises over 300m above the sea. The old town (medina), enclosed by 15th-century ramparts, is dominated by a casbah, the sultan’s palace (now a museum of Moroccan art), and the Great Mosque (source: Britannica)
Since its strategic Location to Europe, Tangier has a reputation as a spying and smuggling center. Its reputation is also as a ‘safe house’ for international spying activities. In another legend, Tangier is supposed to be the final resting spot of Hercules (The Hercules Cave). This picturesque cave is just outside of the city. Starting in 500 B.C., Tangier has been a place of living by Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, the Ummayad Caliphate, Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Moroccans. And did you know? The sweet and delicious tangerine is named after the city of Tangier. Those are some interesting facts about Tangier.
The walk in Tangier
On the same day in the evening, we had to catch a bus to Chefchaouen. So, we had that day to explore the beauty of Tangier. We did it by walking all day around Tangier.
Tanja Marina Bay and Port de Tanger Ville
I think the bay was still being developed back in 2016. We were there for some sea view with docked boats. In the afternoon, the weather can be scorching hot.
Walking around Old Medina
To be honest, we just walked around the Old Medina with no specific destination. We got lost in the direction and strolled through alley by alley. I love how intricate the alley in Old medina is, not to mention the smell of spices and the noisy atmosphere in Arabic, French, and Spanish all together.
Lunch at Salon Bleu Restaurant
Accidentally, we had this idea to get into somewhere higher to oversee the media and Mediterranean sea and came across this restaurant. It is Called Salon bleu. Stay faithful to its name, the restaurant interior filled with anything blue, starting from the table, the pottery, paintings, and many more. Furthermore, when we went outside, we got the view that we wanted 😍
After lunch, we headed to the hostel where we deposited our luggages, and then went to CTM Bus station to catch bus to Chefchaouen.
