Morocco

Since the continent of Africa is so close to Spain, we decided to take a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco.

In Morocco, we "Rocked the Kasbah," rode camels by the Atlantic Ocean, saw Hercule's Cave, and ate at a traditional Moroccan restaurant.



Burg Family on Camels
Tangier, Morocco



Nicole on Camel
Tangier, Morocco

 

Matthew on Camel
Tangier, Morocco



Hercules Cave is a cave with an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.  The cave outlet is very unique, in that it is shaped like the continent of Africa.  The legend of the Cave is that it was long thought to be bottomless.  It was believed that the Cave was the entrance to a subterranean tunnel over 15 miles long which passed under the Strait of Gibraltar and emerged at St. Michael's Cave in the Rock of Gibraltar.  Legend has it that Barbary Apes entered the Rock of Gibraltar from Morocco this way.  It is also believed that Hercules lived and slept in this cave before doing his 11th labor, stealing the golden apples of the Hesperides, located in what used to be the Atlas mountains in North Africa.  While on his way to the garden of the Hesperides, Hercules had to cross the mountain that was once Atlas.  Instead of climbing Atlas, Hercules used his superhuman strength to smash through it.  By doing this, he connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and formed the Straight of Gibraltar.  One part of the split mountain is the Rock of Gibraltar, and the other is the Jebel Musa (Mountain of Moses in English).  This is why it is called "Hercules Cave."



Hercules Cave
Tangier, Morocco



We next stopped at a traditional Moroccan restaurant, where we ate.  Here is Matthew eagerly enjoying a traditional Moroccan beef stew of beef and prunes.



Matthew Eating Moroccan Food
Moroccan Restaurant
Tangier, Morocco



Burg Family
Moroccan Restaurant
Tangier, Morocco



Finally, we "Rocked the Kasbah."  The Kasbah is a bazaar with very narrow cobblestone streets.  Merchants and venders line the streets selling everything from fish to authentic Moroccan "Magic" lamps.



Nicole Shopping in the Kasbah
Tangier, Morocco