Tangier, Morocco
On May 1, 2012 we left the Mediterranean and arrived in Tangier, Morocco. Today we had a tour that took us over the Rif Mountains for views of the Atlantic and then to Cap Spartel, a point where the Mediterranean and Atlantic meet. We then rode to Hercules’ Cave, a grotto, where the cave was filled with all sorts of vendors & crafts. On our way back to Tangier, we stopped at The Hotel Ahlen, for a refreshment. Our final stop was the Medina (old town) of Tangier. Here we walked the narrow streets and alleys, viewing the many souks and seeing the local people. We also stopped at a...
Read MoreGabes, Tunisia
The next day we arrived in Gabes, Tunisia. Our primary goal today was to visit a Troglodyte House. These cave houses were dug into the side of a limestone hill. The typical house has an entrance tunnel into an open central courtyard with dug out rooms around the center. These ancient homes origin are unknown, however today they are occupied by nomadic berber families. We traveled out of Gabes toward Matmata through the Tunisian desert. We stopped and explored a family “Troglodyte House”. After our visit, we proceeded to Douz, the last Berber village and gateway to the Sahara. We...
Read MoreSousse, Tunisia
March 29th, after a day at sea, found us in our first Tunisian port, Sousse. After clearing customs and getting our passports stamped, we had to tender into the port city of Sousse. Today we took an all day tour that included Kairouan, El Djem and the Amphitheater. Our first stop was the city of Kairouan, one of the 7 holy cities of Islam. Here we visited the Sidi Okba Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahab. Sidi Okba Mosque is the oldest and holiest Islamic site in North Africa. The columns in the courtyard were scavenged from old Roman ruins, so no two were alike. Our next stop was the...
Read MoreMelilla, Spanish Morocco
We left Cadiz and passed through the Straight of Gibraltar crossing the Mediterranean to Melilla, Spanish Morocco, which is on the north coast of Africa. We docked at the commercial pier and had a shuttle bus that took us about a mile to Plaza Espana, the center of town. Melilla is divided between new and old areas. We first explored the new area which has a Modernist-style of architecture consisting of about 100 buildings some of which were designed by Gaudi’s disciple, Enrique. Many of the facades are quite ornate. After lunch, we roamed Medina Sidonia, the old town in Melilla, which...
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When we retired and moved to Florida from Bellport,Long Island, NY, we began to cruise more and for longer periods of time. Our travels have taken us up the Amazon, around South America and the Antarctic, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Black Seas. We hope you enjoy some of our images and that they can help in planning your own dreams.