Slumbering in Singapore

Its been a lazy few days in Singapore’s hot humid weather. In between lazing by the pool and nana naps we have managed to see some of the sights of the city. We managed to walk two blocks to have a look at Raffles, dined in china town, meandered Little India, visited the botanic gardens and the Changi Museum.

We also went on a night safari to the zoo. Below is a cute cuddly nocturnal animal.

Tonight is our last night’s sleep here, but we don’t leave until 10:30pm tomorrow.

A Long Way to the Beach

For our last day in Casablanca we decided to go to the beach. We asked for directions from the doorman at the hotel and we think he told us that we needed to take 2 trams. We confirmed directions from the tramway official and he said just take the tram to the terminus. At the end of the line was a university, no sign of water, not even a coffee shop. There was however a map which showed our doorman was correct! As there was not enough time to backtrack, catch the right tram and get back in time to catch the train to the airport, we had to wait till Singapore for the beach.

Today we went to Sentosa Island, the southern most point of continental Asia, for a swim at the beach before returning to the hotel for a swim at the pool.

From All Colour and Movement to the City of White

Our tour of Morocco ended today in Casablanca which translates to white house and we are now relaxing in a garden with a bottle of the country’s finest white wine. The waiters are wearing white shirts and a man at the next table is in white suit and shoes. The predominant colour of the city is … you guessed it, white.

It is such a contrast from the colour and movement of Marrakech with touts constantly in your face, the bustling square filled with fortune tellers, orators, dancers, musicians, henna artists and snake charmers. We toured the Medina and its sights (this time with a guide) and also a famous garden restored by Yves Saint Laurent. Last night we capped off the tour with dinner and a show at Fantasia which featured singers and dancers from all corners of Morocco, a band of armed horseman, trick riders, a belly dancing performance and even a flying carpet which landed in Aladdin's cave.

The journey from Marrakech to Casablanca has helped prepare us for our return home, passing though the wheat belt of Morocco along eucalypt lined roads with occasional plantations of gums. We still have half a day for further exploration before catching the train to the airport for our sojourn in Singapore.

From the Sands of the Sahara to the Red City

It’s been a busy few days since our last blog. We explored the Sahara first by four wheel drive and then by camel (a 1.5 hour trek each way). Joy had a case of Berber Belly but recovered in time for the camel ride and Adrian has caught a cold.

We have visited the Todra Gorge, travelled through the Rose Valley along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, explored the 800 year old Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and the Atlas film studio.  

We arrived in the Red City of Marrakech tonight and almost managed to get lost in the Souk. Adrian took the photos below so we could find our way back to the Riad. But it didn’t help because we couldn't find the start point.