October 26, 2024

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

View more

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.

View more

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.

View more

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.

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • July 6, 2026
Fun day in the waters of Tioman Island, Malaysia snorkeling with friends. Life is good! It was nothing fancy, a boat & captain, who spoke minimal English and barely interacted with us, for roughly 7 hours. We started the outing spotting a group of dolphins and was quickly at anchor drop 1 of 6. The distances between the 6 snorkel spots was minimal, which gave us lots of time in the water (at least 45 minutes, at each spot) with an added stop for a lunch break at local restaurants. Even the restaurants were fast and efficient, definitely used to catering to the boat crowd.

HAPPY 4th of JULY from SE ASIA SEA!

By Pat Patrick • July 4, 2026
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July! Here on the Odyssey we celebrated in the SE Asia Sea on our way to Tioman Island, Malaysia . We have such a talented and dedicated group of residents here, they put together a fun hour of things to celebrate and embrace a lot of what we collectively love about the USA. Even our residents from other countries - Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany , etc. joined in the fun! ( I lent my flag below for decorations)

BINTAN, INDONESIA - BUDDHIST TEMPLE

By Pat Patrick • July 2, 2026
Vihara Avalokiteshvara Graha or Guan Yin Temple is near 500 Lohan, so we also toured the grounds of this large Temple complex. It's dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and is one the tallest brass statues of her in SE Asia. She is just over 55' tall, coated in 22 carat gold and is surrounded by scenic dragon fruit plantations. The tile work is intricate and textured with great details. The whole place is very tranquil and calming for meditation and prayer.