Here’s looking at you, kid…

Hassan II mosque in Casablanca.

Had you asked me where this phrase comes from a week ago I wouldn’t have been able to tell you because I don’t tend to watch movies that were made before me. However, in preparation for our port-of-call in Casablanca, Morocco, the student life staff organized a screening of the movie Casablanca and having just completed a five-day stint in Morocco, I am now fully apprised of both the movie and also the actual city!

We arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday and I spent the first day touring the city. The main attraction in Casablanca is the Hassan II Mosque, an enormous structure that can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside and another 80,000 outside! The Mosque is the largest mosque in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The Mosque is very modern with Moorish-style ornate details. The architecture reminded me of the Alhambra in Granada which was also influenced by the Moors.

Rick's Cafe in Casablanca.

The other top attraction in Casablanca is Rick’s Café. Now this is not the same café as featured in Casablanca but it’s designed to have the same feel. I only took pictures from the outside because unfortunately I’d heard from other SASers that the service was poor and the food and drinks were overpriced. Considering I’d only discovered the movie a few days prior, a picture from the outside sufficed!

I spent the remainder of my time in Morocco camel trekking and nomad camping near Marrakech. I was pretty anxious about this trip for two reasons: (1) about two days before the trip, a faculty member told me all these horror stories about people falling off camels. I was very worried and even Googled “how to ride a camel” in hopes that some secret would be revealed. The big secret was “hold on!” (2) I don’t camp. By “don’t camp” I mean I’ve never done it before and have never had a desire to begin a camping career. However I guess if you have to have a first camping experience, Morocco is an exotic enough place to give it a try. I am happy to report that I am alive and well after a night spent in the Moroccan wilderness and I did not fall off my camel!

Marrakech is located inland about three hours from Casablanca and is called the “red city” because all the buildings are red in color. The city is incredibly charming and full of all sorts of Moroccan delights including snake-charmers, monkey-handlers, wonderful food including traditional tajine, Moroccan spices and more. I spent about one day in Marrakech but this was not enough. I want to go back to Marrakech…and soon!

Spending a few days in Morocco was a great way to end the spring voyage. There were enough things to see and do to stay busy but not so many things that you didn’t get enjoy time with friends. It’s crazy to think in just a few days I’ll arrive in Southampton, England – our final port-of-call for the spring 2014 voyage. Where did the time go?!

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.

Inside the mosque.

Getting all set up on our camels.

Camel ride in Morocco!

Mama and baby camels.

View of the N’fis Wadi River Valley near Marrakech in Morocco. 

High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

View of the N’fis Wadi River Valley in Morocco. 

Pouring Moroccan mint tea.

View of Marrakech at sunset.

Singapore…meh…

Following my surprisingly wonderful 6 days in Vietnam, we set sail for two days before arriving in Singapore for the weekend. I was very excited to visit Singapore, as I’d heard good reviews from friends who had previously visited, but in the end I think one weekend in Singapore is enough for me. It wasn’t my favorite city but regardless, I’ll tell you how I spent the weekend.

We arrived in Singapore on a Saturday morning. I was very busy working that morning because one of the field labs I’d planned fell apart the afternoon prior so it was a hectic few hours as I tried to find something different for these students to do. I confirmed the new field lab itinerary one hour before the student’s departed-talk about cutting it close! I continued working into the late morning, making sure everyone got off the ship, and my co-worker Andrew and I were treated to a wonderful dim-sum lunch in Singapore’s Chinatown by Semester at Sea’s tour operator! It was a-mazing – so much food and the tour operator was very nice and generous. This is the first time the tour operator has provided my field office co-workers and I with any kind of meal or gift, so it was a welcome surprise!

Raffles Hotel in Singapore

After lunch, the tour operator brought Andrew and I back to the ship and I went out into the city on my own. First I made my way to Raffles Hotel, a hotel named after Singapore’s founder Stamford Raffles. It is a beautiful hotel and rumor has it that the “Singapore Sling” drink was created at this hotel. The hotel has capitalized on this and the Slings were far too expensive for my taste!

I then walked about the city and made my way to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel area. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a futuristic hotel with an infinity pool on the top floor offering amazing views of the city. Many students reserved rooms in the Hotel and rumor has it that an evening of shenanigans occurred. I kept my distance, not wanting to see my students completely wasted, and just took some pictures from afar.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

I then made my way back to Chinatown for dinner with 3 friends from the ship. Singapore boasts a number of “hawker stands” which are basically like cheap, but clean and safe, outdoor food courts. I loved it! I got a whopping portion of chicken rice and a berry smoothie for $4. My friends and I went out for a few drinks, visited some markets and made our way back to the ship for the evening.

I worked again on Sunday morning and had the remaining day free. The cruise terminal was connected to two malls, so I looked around for a bit, spent the rest of my Singapore dollars and made my way back to the ship shortly after lunch. I worked on my capstone paper for the rest of the day.

I’ll admit I didn’t take full advantage of all the things to do in Singapore (for example Singapore boasts a world-renowned zoo and botanical garden, neither of which I visited). Regardless, I enjoyed my weekend in Singapore but also enjoyed the chance to get some homework done. It was a good balance and I felt like I had accomplished more than just spending money as we pulled out of Singapore on Sunday evening. Adios Singapore. Maybe I’ll see you again.

Lanterns in Chinatown, Singapore.

Mix of old and new in Singapore.
This is at the oldest temple in Singapore, now featuring a background of modern skyscrapers.

Funky architecture goes throughout the city.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel area in Singapore.