Agadir, Morocco
October 20, 2022
We were ready for breakfast at 6:15 am so we went up to the Lido early. Muffins was no where to be found. We finished breakfast and headed back to the room. We had paperwork that Morocco required and we needed passports for a face to face presentation with a Moroccan official. Meeting time 7 am in the Wajang Theater on Deck 4.
We sat with the other 70 or so going on this tour. A HAL official said that Morocco has changed their minds. No security officials would be boarding and that HAL would be collecting passports and taking them over to immigration to get stamped and then returned to us. I guess that makes sense?
The HAL employees collected our passports and we sat, some patiently, for further instructions. The Captain announced over the PA that Moroccan authorities are now requiring the entire ship to perform another antigen test. Room stewards would distribute the tests. The head Nurse did explain to us that as of three days ago, Moroccan officials were satisfied with our current protocols and we were good to go on arrival. At 1:15 am this morning, an email was received describing new requirements. Who decides these things at this time? We waited in the theater for our tests. Once in our hands we went to our rooms and performed our test. It was 8:30 am. We did the test, waited the required 10 minutes, took a photo and waited until 9:30 am to meet back in the theater with our negative test in hand. The test has a Control Stripe and a Test Stripe. The Control Strip appears red in about 1 minute meaning the test is valid. The test stripe appears if it is positive only after the 10 minutes have expired. Otherwise it remains blank. We noticed that ours and many others began to show a faint blue test stripe after an hour of waiting. The Ships doctor came in the theater to check the tests. Retake…Retake…Retake he said to many as he went around the room. The test is only valid for a short period of time. We had to re do. Now it was time to wise up. Get passport, take test, wait one minute and the head to bus. Give test to lazy official to throw away and we are on our way. Now it is 11:30. Bus leaves at noon. 4 hours late.
Our bus drive to Marrakech long and uneventful. Sand, rolling hills, sand, argan trees, more sand. Past the rolling hills was more sand. This area was in the midst of a 3 year drought. Our tour guide, Youssef, said that when it rains, the entire area becomes very green. The ground is very fertile and needs only water. The argan trees produce a seed that is valued for the oil that be pressed from it. Healthy to eat healthy for skin.
Upon arrival to Marrrakech, the area started to green up. We were running so late that we immediately went to lunch.
Lunch was typical Moroccan fare. Meat, potatoes, veggies, all very good. Musicians and dancers entertained us.
These photos are of the former Marrakech governors house, now at museum. The arabesque style is evident. Simple on the outside and very ornamental on the inside. This coincides with the belief that a person’s real beauty is found on the inside.
Afterward we walked around the area with the Marrakech souks or shopping areas.
Following the walk we took the bus to our hotel to check in.
We quickly checked in and got ready for dinner. Yes, its time to eat again. We went down to the lobby for a quick drink.
Dinner was a restaurant near the souk’s and the open air market area. Just a mile or so from the hotel. Dinner was just like lunch. Same style of restaurant and similar food.
This open air market area really comes alive at night. Lots of things to buy, lots of entertainers. Fun place. Jammed with people.
We walked into our room back at the hotel close to midnight. Long day.
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