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.

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    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 April 30, 2025
    BONAIRE - Day 2 - One of my top 10 so far!
    By Patricia Patrick April 30, 2025
    View from one of high spot in the center of island looking out toward port. Island very dry and arid with lots of divi trees bent over in the winds and two types of cactus - one edible and the other poisonous ( used to build fencing). The Miller's and I did a private van tour around the island and then we ended tour at a beach for a couple hours R&R. Our fabulous driver/ guide came back and picked us up and concluded tour back to port and gave us each a gift ( Bonaire magnet). She was super! Below are slat fields - a big industry for Bonaire - harvested every March. Salt shimmers in sun as the water evaporates in the pools.
    By Patricia Patrick April 22, 2025
    PORT OF SPAIN, TABAGO - The Miller's arrive for a visit!