Wow!!! How time flies. It has been so long since we’ve posted it seems like forever. First of all, let me apologize. If you looked at our RTW Itinerary page we should be somewhere else right now – but I am writing this from downtown Tangiers, Morocco. My friend, David Zartman, and his family live in Spain and invited us to join them in Morocco for the weekend. How could we say no?
Let’s go back a little and tell you where we have been to catch you up to where we are now.
Granada: Ahh the Alhambra, the palace and fortress complex originally constructed in 889 AD. 
This beautiful complex is one of the most fascinating in all of Spain. Unfortunately, when you travel without too many advanced plans you have to forgo some sites. This was one of them. When we walked up to the ticket booth they were sold out for the day. We asked about buying online – yes, they can get us in on June 9. What about waiting in line for stand by – yes make sure you are in line by 3AM. Needless to say there is plenty to do in Granada without the Alhambra.
The Basilica of San Juan de Dios, the Granada Cathedral and the El Albaicin district of Granada filled our time allowing us to explore this bustling city.
Friday we drove to Tarifa, Spain; about a 4 hour drive. We met up with the David and family and spent the night in this small beach village. On Saturday morning we took the high speed ferry across to Morocco. 
Let’s discuss high speed for a second – I do not believe that anything in Morocco is high speed!!! To get on the ferry you must arrive approximately 1 hour in advance to wait in line even after you have tickets. Once you are on the ferry you wait in line for the entire 45 minute ferry ride to get your passport stamped – one passport official for the entire ferry full of passengers. One passenger told me that he once had to wait a hour after the ferry reached the other side of the channel to go through passport control.
Tangier is a modern city and very liberal by Muslim standards. We saw many women without hijabs. The city is large but the old town medina is very close to the ferry terminal, as was our hotel. We enjoyed being back in Morocco exploring the medina filled with shops and stores.
On Saturday we went to the blue city of Morocco, Chefchaouen. The entire old city is painted blue and is truly one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in. The reason for the painted city is rumored to be that the color keeps away mosquitoes. Another theory is that the blue was introduced by the Jews when they took refuge from Hitler. Now, I can only tell you that the city is truly breathtaking. Street after street, down back alleys, even looking into peoples homes everything is blue.
On Sunday we will tour more of the Tangier area and then back to Spain. I promise it will not be as long before our next post.
P.S. I thought I posted this morning and I apparently did not. Our ferry got canceled because of high winds today – so one more day in Morocco.
oth literally gasped when we first rounded the corner driving into the old town area of Zaragoza. We arrived late on Saturday night after driving the 3 hours from Barcelona. We spent the next hour just watching the reflection dance on the Ebro river. We spent the rest of the evening walking the fantastic old streets of this city.
the imposing city walls and the five gates to the city. Entering the city into the Jewish Quarter allowed us to see first hand the diversity of this breathtaking city. The mix of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious sites in such a small area make it extremely interesting.
continued as we wandered around (sometimes knowing where we were and sometimes . . . . . . ) The Cathedral, the “minor” churches, the synagogue, and the monastery were all rich with incredible architecture and art.
The crossing was brutal—-82 degrees, no waves, and they only served lobster once. You don’t have to tell us, the struggle is real!!!
We will be cruising for 2 days before we get to our next destination: Sint Maarten – “The Friendly Island”. Until then, I raise my glass – Salud.