October 26, 2024

Busy Market Samples - Dates were yummy! Passed on Oysters.

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After a stop at a government approved shop rugs and Moroccan wares. We were leaving new city and headed into Medina, the oldest part of walled city. Lots of food vendors, cooking in tagines. The Jewish quarter is here, with synogue for 2M jews who live here.

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Casablanca mosque only have one minaret, always green at peak. Muslim Homes typically have 4 rooms around a center courtyard with a fountain to keep cool, no windows, balconies or Air Conditioning; but they do have rooftop gardens. Four bedrooms, because they are allowed 4 wives. Women stay completely covered with outsiders and can leave off face covering when with family.

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Below 2 Landmark's - Rick's Cafe for Tourist and Hassan II Mosque - 2nd largest in Africa, 14th largest in World. The Minaret is 60 stories high topped with a Laser, directed to point to Mecca 9 it's 2nd highest in World. Was completed in 1993 and sits alongside the Atlantic Ocean. 105,000 worshipers can pray here - 25k inside mosque and another 80k on outside grounds.

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2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.