Mooning around the Mediterranean

[mysty]

3 hours ago, rojaan19 said:

 

Oh lad...you are looking very fine! 😁

[mysty]

On 3/28/2023 at 11:47 AM, drron29 said:

Subtitle 54 Days on the Moon to mark 60 years since the film 55 Days in Peking was released. I enjoyed it then and even more so now having met someone who was there for the Boxer Rebellion.

 

We had a good time in Portugal although with a few hiccups. Great treatment by the 5 hotels we stayed in. 
A really amazing embarkation experience. Left the Intercontinental by taxi just after 1pm. The taxi driver missed the entrance to the cruise port twice so the second time we got out of the taxi on the road in front of the terminal.

Not far to the SilverSea baggage collection and then upstairs to fill in the health questionnaire and photo taken.

Downstairs again and a short walk to the Moon. From the time we got out of the taxi to the time we completed formalities at the top of the gangplank was 30 minutes. Then straight to the Panorama lounge for a drink. At 2pm they announced the suites were ready.

 

When we got to our suite we knew they knew who we were.

 

There was the usual orchid and champagne.

 

Rojaan was having trouble connecting to the internet so was heading for the wi fi consultant in Dolce Vita when she met the butler from our las voyage on the Dawn who brought her back to the cabin and fixed it quickly. No wonder we love SilverSea.

 

Dear lady Rojaan...You look marvelous!  🥰

[drron29]

The menu at the pool bar.

 

And to the food. Portobello sandwich for Rojaan and a classic reuben for I.

 

 

[drron29]

Since our cruise on the Dawn there is now also a limited buffet at the pool.

 

And our view.

 

[drron29]

Tonight the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party. Most in formal wear.

 

So Captain Zanello is half Italian and half Australian. Obviously a good bloke.

[drron29]

A few changes to the menu in Atlantide for formal night.

Edited March 29, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

And the food; We both had the caviar to start then I had the pumpkin soup. Then we both had the lobster that was perfect.

 

Then Rojaan had the day's mango dessert and I had the cheese platter.

 

Rojaan had the Brown Brothers Sav Blanc from Australiaand I had the night's French red which I again enjoyed.

 

Our waiter for the night was from Cambodia. Has one son who is 22 and finished University. A lovely fellow.

We were also visited by the Chef who is from Praque. We gave him no hassles as we enjoy the food in Atlantide.

We also had a visit from Karolina the sommelier who is from Serbia. She came to apologise for the slow wine service at the beginning. Fairly understandable as there was a long queue to get into Atlantide after the Captain's Welcome Party. But I did notice at least 2 extra wine waiters were brought in so everything improved. We ended up having a long chat. One of the reasons was because we had visited 2 Serbian wineries outside of Dubrovnik when on our Dawn cruise. I am sure she appreciated some positive comments.

Edited March 29, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

For our first sea day we managed second at trivia. One of the winning teams was 5 women. One was celebrating a birthday. Her 100th. I really hope I can emulate her but think it doubtful.

 

Being a points hound -airline points, hotel points, supermarket points and those important Silversea points - I go sstraight from trivia to the putting competition. Fortunately for me luck is often as important as skill but not today. I did pick up a point for equal 3rd but have to admit it was also equal last.

[drron29]

Thursday and we woke up coming into Casablanca. A mixture of fog and pollution so a bit drab.

 

Looks like a new passenger terminal.

 

But not used yet.

Quite a few fishermen heading to seain their small boats.

 

The Morrocan navy was in.

 

And a motley collection of cargo ships..

 

And the Viking Jupiter was just tying up.

[drron29]

Our Excursion to Rabat was to leave at 0830. It was only 0820 when people were allowed off and a very long line to get on to the gangway. Then a long walk from there to the cruise terminal so we left a

bit late. We berthed at the container terminal.

 

On the walk to the Terminal we passed a Moroocan ferry that was not in great condition.

 

Then in the busfor a90 minute driveto Rabat. A mixture of new, old and decepit buildings in Casablanca.

 

Lots of gulls flying around.

 

Some slums

 

[drron29]

 

The beach.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

Now the gate to the old town Rabat.

 

Now in the Royal Palace precinct.

 

And when the fountains are off the King isnot present.

 

[drron29]

The Royal guard in red uniforma plus member from the Army,Navy, Marines, Cutoms and police also guard the Palace.

 

[drron29]

The Royal Primary School.

 

Someone said this was the President going by.

 

And the Mosque where the was an attempted assassination of the puppet French installed King. This set off mass protests culminating in the French leaving in 1953.

 

The defence Department and other official buldings.

 

 

[drron29]

And now a drive to the Hassan Tower.

 

The Mohammad 6th Tower.

 

Mohammad 5th Mausoleum.

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The entry to the Tower.

 

The Tower. This was to be the Minaret for a very large mosque. Building began in the 12th century. The dynasty was defeated so never completed. A lot of damage done by the Great Lisbon Earthquake in the 1750s.

 

 

[drron29]

 

A mosque has been built which uses the old tower as it's minaret.

 

It was to be a huge structure and these were to be the supporting pillars. Said to be recycled from Roman ruins.

 

[drron29]

 

The old city walls also damaged in the earthquake.

 

[drron29]

This is the womens mosque.

 

A disguised telecom tower.

 

[drron29]

 

A muslim cemetery. All the graves face Mecca.

[drron29]

We are now at the Casbah. Reputedly the former stronghold of pirates but now private houses within it's walls.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

 

And from the casbah/fort great views of the Atlantic.

 

[drron29]

 

Another large cemetery.

 

[mysty]

2 minutes ago, drron29 said:

 

And from the casbah/fort great views of the Atlantic.

 

 

The artistry and creativity of the old blows our current architecture out of the water!  So much awesomeness!