October 25, 2024

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - Here's looking at you!

I thought I would prep for this Port, the day before, by watching the famous movie, for the first time. I have to admit I feel asleep for a brief part, towards the end. No big deal, since the movie was filmed 100% on a sound stage in CA, in 1942. The famed Rick's Cafe from the film, was built for tourist in 2004 in Morocco. The port talk gave us some of the basics, but I joined in on a walking tour with a group of 9 others from the Ship. Our ship mooring was 1.5 miles walk, just to get out of port area. The tour was advertised at 3 hours to see the old and new city, starting at Sacred Heart Cathedral and ending at the Hassan II Mosque. We walked for over 5 and never even made it too Mosque! It was hot and humid. Our guide was good but sketchy. We seemed to to stop at a lot of his friends and information was maybe getting lost in translation. Regardless, we learned and saw a lot of this huge City.

    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button
    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button
    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button
    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button

    Arab League Park or Parc de la Ligue Arabe

    Somebody in tourism messed up with the We Casa Blanca sign in Mohammed V Square - blanca should be white? not black letters!

    French influence in architecture - Muslim buildings never have windows or balconies - don't want their women seen. Water men in red dress - sell water out of leather pouch, poured into gold cups they carry. One lady who may not be Muslim, looking down from Balcony.

    By Patricia Patrick December 29, 2025
    Our Odyssey Crew is so talented and fun loving! They put together this hysterical video spoofing all the crazy things they observed this year catering to us Residents, in a special presentation of our 2026 Horoscopes! Watch all the way through to the bloopers at the end and hopefully you will see why we love them so much!
    By Patricia Patrick December 29, 2025
    Don't know if you have figured this out about me - I love to Sail! I constantly scour the ports we are visiting, in advance, trying to line up sailing trips. I have a core group of friends on the ship that feel similiarly and several also scout them out and we share info and invites! Today was the Catamaran Taboo operated by Viola Moorea, owner Leo. We had several back and forths calls & emails - but finally worked out a morning session, for a 1/2 day, for 8 people. The wind and rain were a little temperamental, but we had a great time skimming over the crystal clear turquoise water in the lagoons of Moorea! 
    By Patricia Patrick December 29, 2025
    We have 3 days on this lovely island of Moorea. Day 1 we just went to the beach for the afternoon and this Piggy Momma held court! She was eating baguettes and then needed to cool down in water. Walked right through sunbathers, across their blanket and then plopped right down unfazed.