Morocco 2

Last days in Morocco and the on to Portugal.


Visit to a cosmetic product producer, also sells some spices such as saffron. Aragon oil a big seller.

Many horse drawn carriages in Marrakech.

Mosque in Marrakech.
Tomb of former King and family.


Woman making Morrocan crepes, more like pita bread, firm dough is flattened and then cooked on a flat surface.

Bread for sale.
Stuff for tourists.
Tourist stuff is made in China.
Went for a camel ride, we all got Bedouin garb and were assigned a camel.
Camels were told to sit on the ground so we could saddle up. They were all tied close together to prevent any runaways.
All were females - more docile - and some had babies who stuck close together their mothers. Lots of noise from both staying in contact.
Once you board the camel rises to its feet rear end first so you must lean back to avoid falling off front ways.
I’m up and we’re moving. We went for a 45 min walk in the desert, plenty as the position of your legs is uncomfortable after a while.

I got the pretty one.
Belly dancer at the dinner show.
Pita filled with lamb.
Ivan olive market.
Rick’s Cafe, named after the spot in the movie Casablanca. There was no Rick’s during the time period of the movie story and none of the film was shot in Casablanca or Morocco - all done in Hollywood.
Very large and new mosque in Casablanca, can hold 35,000 inside and 85,000 in the outside area. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside.


Farewell reception for our Gate 1 gang. Most headed home, we were off to Portugal.
Passport control in Lisbon, took two hours to navigate all the switchbacks in the staging area. I believe the delay was intentional by passport officers, only 3 or 4 were working 20 lanes, a frequent visitor told us this is not typical, worst he ever saw.
Belém tower in Lisbon, guards the entrance to the port area collecting taxes and regulating entry in the old days. One of the oldest structures that survived the 1755 earthquake which destroyed 80% of Lisbon.
Belém is also the home of the original Pastel de Nada created by nuns to make use of a huge supply of egg yokes, egg whites were used to stiffen their habits. The delicacy is rich custard in a pastry cup. The kitchen today makes 35,000 a day, all by hand. There are other makers of the national dish but none as famous. They are available everywhere.
It is said only women have the necessary touch to shape the pastry cups. Here women shape each lump of puff pastry into a small cup, they are then filled and baked.
Monestary and church in Belém.
I lit a candle for a friend - which one?
Alter Belém church.
Monument in Belém commemorating the explorers of Portugal.
Tomb of Vasco de Gamma. 
Limestone blocks about 3 inches square are used all over Lisbon for sidewalks and squares, often with patterns to signify waves or wind, solid black ones are waves.
 

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