North Morocco Sept. 2019

  The names of stories and mysteries. Casablanca, Fes, Tangier, Rabat, Meknes,  Marakech, plus, new ones to add: Chefchaouen- the blue city, Voubilis-Roman ruins.
   What a compact list of  exciting places. All places to get
Lost in the medinas, and, did, repeatedly. Its what your supposed to do. 
    Casablanca: Jewish museum, learned that intricate metal work is their contribution.
     Mosque with tallest minaret and immense outside area full of mosaics was built in record time.
    Rabat: Went to to Moulay Idriss named after the man who brought Islam to Morocco. Really lost there.
    Meknes: Walked around Volubilis, Roman ruins which had a very fancy rich merchants home complex. Olive oil press with channel's for oil to run off and a party room complete with vomitorium next to a ten hole toilet area. Intricate mosaic floors.
   Fes: I was excited to finally see the tannery and dye baths. We were given a sprig of mint to offset the smell. It wasn't that bad. People raise pigeons to supply the poop for the process.   It works, the leather is so soft. 
    Chefchaouen: The Blue city, why is it blue? Mosquito repellent, maybe.
      Tangier:  Thoughts of pirates and meeting of the waters of the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Truly lost there.
    Marrakech: Yes, actually on the train to Marrakech😊 10 hours of it. Mostly overnight.
   A day at Yves St. Laurents  garden and extensive showroom. Lovely.
    I ate my favorite-pastilla at every chance. 




 
   

GREENLAND Sept. 2019

  The Ocean Nova was the ship that carried me on this Arctic adventure. I have thought about Greenland since I was a young child listening to my Uncle Forest, who was there operating a grader for airplane landing strips.
   I was not disappointed. Flying from Reykjavik  I saw the memorial to John Lennon that Yoko Ono put in a small island close to the harbor. Landing at Constable Point to meet the ship, get our big boots suitable for the many Zodiac landings ahead.  A red helicopter arrived with an indigenous couple that would accompany us to learn ways to incorporate the cruise passengers and their village of Ittoqqortoormiit in the future. Lucky us. They wore local costumes that were so intricate, made my craft mind reel.
   Off we sailed, deep into fjords, thousands of icebergs, no reference point to compare them, might be the size if a city.
   We saw outposts for the former Danish patrols, fishermen, dog sledders. (later in Morocco, met a woman whose husband was a Danish patroler)
    Bloomsterbugten was the Bay if Flowers and Renbugten was the home of purple and gold rocks.
   Spotted by crew- polar bears! In total five! All healthy. Captain followed one bear  with the ship as he walked down the hill to swim in the sea. Now, that was accommodating of him.
  We had many expedition staff that covered all aspects of the Arctic with daily talks.
   I saw plenty of tiny moss specimens and colored limestone rocks.
    Musk Ox under hair is very valuable, soft and very warm, woven into hats etc.
    Many had opportunities to Kayak, hike and look around without doing either. Always had perimeter armed look outs.
   Auroras came into view two nights, pale, and tantalizing.
   Food was 5* and served beautifully.  Service - excellent.
    Great trip.