The rest rooms at the cactus garden are humorously identified

Manrique, cont'd

He also designed this enormous cactus garden, in a giant depression in the lava. (The Canary Islands are, like Hawai'i, entirely volcanic)

Cesar Manrique

A 20th century artist who is the figurative "patron saint" of Lanzarote, here on our first Canary island. Also an architect, he designed this fabulous grotto, in a huge lava tube.

We were in port at the same time as the Queen Elizabeth

She carries 2,500 passengers, we're only 400. I'll stay right here, thanks.

Arabic graffiti

Have no idea what this means, but I'm guessing it won't be good for the lamb.

The Kasbah (means "fortress") in Rabat was more impressive than the one in Tangier.

More photogenic, anyway.

The Mausoleum

Final resting place of several recent Moroccan kings. Guarded by a number of interestingly dressed blokes with rifles.

In the medina (old city) of Rabat, we had a very nice, very Mediterranean lunch in a very nice, very Moroccan restaurant, tucked away in the side streets

On the tops of many walls, instead of barbed wire (or in addition to it) they embed shards of broken coke bottles

I imagine it works rather well.

Morocco has three official languages, Arabic, French, and Berber.

no comment

stop.

The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is extraordinary. Although it was only built in the last 20-some years, it has a size and scope and beauty that rivals the Taj Mahal, without the ancient history. Ok, maybe an overstatement, but it sure is gorgeous.

Moroccan pets

This guy has a great perch from which to keep an eye on his domain. And, evidently there are good reasons to be a cat in Tangier, too.

"Come wiz me...

....to ze Casbah."

Tangier

The travel-weather gods abandoned us today - Tangier was cold and rainy and windy, not the best of combinations. Plus, I likely won't be able to post any pictures until we get to the Canary Islands - I've been unable to post photos using the ship's wifi since we boarded; instead I've been relying on cell data when we're in ports. Before we left, I inserted an international SIM card into my phone, it has allowed to access cell data & post pics from Asia & South America & Europe, but it just doesn't work here in Morocco. In any case, Tangier was interesting but perhaps not legendary - maybe the tough weather had something to do with the enjoyment factor.

We bid a fond adios to.....

....Córdoba and Malaga, and set sail for Morocco - Tangier & Casablanca. These two ports were high on the list of reasons I picked this trip. Ought to be fascinating, plus we get to put a check mark next to one more continent on the checklist - after these ports in Africa, there's only one more continent to go...Australia. We got the most difficult one (Antarctica) done, a year ago! Unfortunately it will be about 4:30 AM when we sail through the Straight of Gibraltar, so that will pass, dark and unwitnessed, I'm afraid.

the Bullfight museum in Córdoba

more Mezquita

Córdoba

After the town of Córdoba was re-conquered in 1236, the new Christian leaders were faced with the problem of what to do with giant mosque (Mezquita) in the town, among the largest mosques in Europe, and the legacy of the Muslim rule of Andalusia for several hundred years. Fortunately for posterity (and tourists), rather than the more common destruction of whatever had come before, the mosque was allowed to remain, and a new cathedral was built over and adjacent to mosque. The juxtaposition of Moorish architecture alongside baroque and rococo is amazing!

Up before dawn, and on our way to Córdoba

The Mezquita has always been on my bucket list, although maybe on a second tier, compared to the Pyramids & the Taj Mahal. So a good day ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

This is our first sea-day of this cruise, as opposed to the previous days in port. Considering the many, many walking miles we've logged in Nice and each day for the last week of ports, a day to just relax, prowl around the ship, and enjoy the ocean isn't all bad. 😜

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia cathedral is just simply breathtaking. But it is still 10 years away from completion, 144 years after ground was initially broken. Barbara and I made an informal pact that if either (or both!) of us are still around in 2026, we will come back to Barcelona and see the finished product.

and even more Gaudi

When in Barcelona....

More Gaudi pix