Casablanca Mall

I particularly wanted to have a bite to eat, and visit, at Ricks Cafe in Casablanca.
Anyone who knows the film, will know that not one scene of it was filmed in Casablanca. Even so, the interior of Ricks Cafe has reproduced the film set in it's restaurant and I don't see any harm in joining the tourist trail in having a look.

After our tour in the Hassan ll Mosque, we walked the half kilometer or so, to Ricks Cafe, only to find that it closes at 3pm and doesn't re-open until 6.30pm!

Only slightly deflated, we decided to visit the Mall that we had passed, in the taxi on the way to the mosque. We hailed a Petit taxi, I love being able to hail a cab! Just try it in the UK, not allowed unless it's a black cab, and you won't see many of them empty!

Morocco Mall. Casablanca

The taxi cost 100 dirham back to the Mall. It's an eye opener in the sense that it's not what I expected to find in Casablanca. On the other hand, it's just like any other big Mall, or shopping centre that you might visit.

Still, we had to schlep around the many clothes shops (naturally) all the while being careful not to actually buy anything!

Aquarium

On the ground floor, you will come across a huge aquarium which is pretty darn impressive but, doesn't photograph too well, even without flash, due to the curved glass and reflections.

Eventually, as you do, we find ourselves in the Food Hall. We hadn't eaten anything all day, and were both ravenous. I'm almost ashamed to say that we had a chicken burger from Burger King, with fries. I know, I know but, in our defence, nothing else was tempting us and, in Burger Kings defence, it was absolutely delicious!

I have to tell you briefly about my visit to the Mens Room at the Mall. I headed for the urinals, the first I'd seen in six weeks and, I suspect, still something of a novelty over here. While I was doing my 'business' the Washroom attendant appeared at my shoulder, brandishing 4 sheets of toilet roll, which he waved in my face. Honestly, there's service and then there's service. I just shook my head, both in declining his offer, and in disbelief. Much still to learn I think....

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Outside the Mall Sue noticed that the Imax was showing the new Star Wars film. At best, it was going to be in French which, as you may know, is widely spoken here. I thought I'd ask anyway, nothing ventured, right?

Imax. Casablanca

Who knew? There was to be a screening at 10pm, in English! Well, that sorted our evening out. We got a cab back to the site and ordered the same cab to take us back to the Imax at 9.30pm.

The film was amazing in 3D but, I did find that I spent too much time marveling at the effects rather than enjoying the movie. I would describe it as feeling like you're on the set watching it being filmed and, to be honest, I'm not sure that I like that as much as watching in Cinemascope or, whatever today's equivalent is

The next day we both had headaches, which I put down to our eyes doing things through the 3D glasses, which displeased them. We had a great night though, what with our big box of sweet popcorn and coke. All in all, a rare treat for us both.

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