Jet set to Plettenberg Bay ( on the Garden Route)

Pletterberg Bay - Where Alan lived.....Alan is my Accountant in Addis who bought this vacation beach house in Pletteburg bay. Alan picked me up, although I met a guy on the plane who wanted to drive me to plett, also met anothet guy who leaves in rio but from NY. Sounds like a vaction town I said, everone in the mood and friendly ok!.

So Alan drove thru and we met his son. aka T, wow he is good looking, I said, the kind u fall for in as a summer love. Alan's beach house is no like other I have seen. Beautiful wooden smells fresh with its new pain.... Went to my room on 3rd floor next to the salon and across T's room ... went to dinner@ Enrico's just down the street driving distance ....owner as warned Italian but all over me ..as he will for any new legs, cute too I saw those wondering eyes, first time I walked in anyway.. Next day, waking up was great as Alan left a note under my room great handwriting saying where coffee was. Later, we went to Plettenburg hotel wow a French Relais Chateaux collection magnificent view @lookout beach on deck bar with Alan & Son now band playing one of SA's top bands Parlotones Evolver Quevero promotion great scenery sterega digestive torrone desert candy almond hard new guard amaro digestive; went and signed up w GYM great place excellent equip technology, certainly upgraded its machines upto par w cybertech.

Few days later, met Phill (fellow I met in Joburg) and brother, all cute, said they were kayaking 4 last 2 days. Talked of catching up later spent literally 3 hours @ Gym 1 hr card rest exhausting the machines went shopping @ beach shop I eyed yesterday bought a lot of cute stuff shorts flip flops tops hats purses all with it..found something to wear at NY I said all beachwear on beach right?
Went and sat down at coffee shop passed by tattoo table and had a chat with the artist who welcomed me to the various designs after fliping thru told her will come back after shower. Noticed she did not have machine on her table so I commented that she must not take credit card, as we could have had a chance to tattoo ourselves all over our bodies... Then I went & sat down at what looks like the upmarket coffee shop ordered cafe late as everyone watch ed and read my Brazil advertised gym wear including the owner who came & greeted me and asked if all is ok as he stared at my chest where Brazil is advertized..sure he must think am from there.. noticed local families I belive kiss on the mouth .

Jeffreys Bay town 150 east of plett best surf billabong first blk language is called xhosa mandela's language am like an octopus feel everyone had mix of drinks @ chris's & Jeanne the developer that did the beach property he made us a watermelon w orange juice and vodka neighbours came chardonnay Danie de wet a Robertson the De Wetshof Bateleur 2003 @ Fu.shi fusion w sushi xmad inner @ chris bessrotti import export plastic recyclers talking about me good at finding my Queenie spot of power a moving power pp listen to katie melua - Piece by piece I cried 4 u ; Ara & Nel owners of upper deck; went to the Polo event did I learn I had caused a commotion in the upper crest society... will not go deep into it..leave it for one's imagination... I played my part as an actress in a movie...

Next day, at jhb airport, I arrived well chatting lovely with a man who was picking up his daughter flying from sydney to meet her whole family in George, after walking thru the new airport construction to the intl airport check in I got on board almost missing the plane as I was too busy shopping. And off I went to singapore...via singapore air... it is like being in my livingroom , except I have over 3 people catering to me... heaven. Yes, it is business class! Cheers!

Breakfast meeting at JoBurg

Mandela's town! Cities South Africa

Hotel Melrose Arch drink w haute carbine pinonoir 2006 restaurant Montego Bay dating games philip who he calls guy whore 365 days went to a club so I found that the fellow I am dealing with wss the grandson of Mandela as Phillip tried to assure my doubting Thomas as I convinced myself right..am in SA afterall and they must grow Mandela in every corner!. So I put up with 2 young men's egos as they exchaned bragging experiences and cursing off each other; in fact I can say VV per was coming from Mandela jr. who seem to politisize everything in color blk & white and dominate his conversatuon with making money or people that have money. He started off saying he works with his father around the corner on the posh Alice st. where some of my contacts have offices.
Standing at conciege to change ticket when I asked a uniformed police women if there is trouble in the hotel she said yes there is at the adjustent village walk mall where there was a car jacking. I commented how it was terrible to read the local paper or listen to radio she agreed saying it is terrible thing specially here in JHB.

phone calls internet news
cafe..where stock brokers hang out
-Rivonia Harrison Grill & Sea food - music sauvignon blqnc from
p
Steenberg 2006 w barbel (Barb) & cavin

Lunch w Angela Mc
Janine Roberts google
@Bar what do u do




made it to jhb airport to go south, to George with 2 luggage bus class guy lost luggage change bk? None ok on a bus class to SA express had nice chat w a friendly Brabilian born mother and daugher. ........

Jet Set to Rio de Janero

Rio ---carioca gostosa
Arrive @ hotel Meridian Copacabana took taxi from airport seem to hv been luck to cut and fixed ticket cause from the two lines that stood to get taxi the bother one was a metered taxi which could break yr banks said a Paulistano that i asked who stood in front of me. it took almost 45 minutes to get to hotel thru 2 tubes and all.
Changed trying to go out @ 11pm was not a success specialty on Sunday most places were empty concierge sent me to echo cafe well a cigar smoking joint with all the Mexican servers u can get.. aside from the few people that were dining..place was not my type at all. After buying Cuban cigars for my friend in SA who asked I took a u turn and left with a taxi for the next place another concierge recommended shenanigans..from the name I was weary anyway..sounded like the place I knew in Berkely CA and so it was worse taxi thought I was going to go out when I told him the next place is to be Ceasar Park went out and lived in memory of 9yrs how life is I thought bar was empty exchanged convers with front desk about hotel being owned by American company news to me was his response and then
Went 4 breakfast
--Basanova happy hr in hotel was got into my benz hotel taxi..of course u oay for it...great.buy one and 2nd on us three in a band took pics.. Cariocas happy people
did not like fist place second was closed taxi dropped me at first nice man speaks good English offered his phone in case I need ride bk etcc. Made a u turn again after learning no place to seat manager came took care of me 15 riels I was suppose to pay for a good time he wrote me the ok pass for the door man have him call my driver who came bk in t3 minutes.. Then we drove around town showed me the big xmas three at the ritzy flamingo neighborhood dropped me w a splash at the famous sushi leblon where he taked to the host and took care of my entrance by opening my good walking me to the door etc make me fee like a star. and so they treated me..went and sat on a round table two guys on both sides right from Portugal & Spain left from rio carioca so spent adf min in conversation with the Portuguese
I saw everyone's eye on me they seem all handsome carioca men openly flirting loved it.. I thought os wanting to get to know everyone being in the middle also was helpful as I started talking left & right even across one good looks eccod where I was from my answer 'planet earth' heard the laughter around the table..ok and u I asked bk..chile he siad and so is my friend here..sorry about the news on Pinoche I said read few days ago. He said I don't care. They are in the TV business media is what I will say after talking to them. Guy next to him fairly attractive as well was staring at me all night. Send him a message as I thought he would not understand English...'as him why he is drinking a bottle of champagne by himself is he celebrating his divorce?' the crowd burst out laughing. Then I paid my bills and said polit good byes

Margaret Me Jardin agastier stores with Xaniel and jewelry
Airport arrive on time 4 change but hey this is Rio flight was delayed oh no it is 40 minues now..everyone was getting aprehensive specialy me when I had to catch a connecting flight to SA from SP intl airport.
flight to sp was good after snaks we arrived at sp airport certaony a difference in quality I mean vs rio. Got to the ted & white taxi to which my hotel in sp has instructed me to take if I want to add bill on my hotel account which was yet to be settled with me when I get back. Taxi took more reals than before 44 Vs 30 to 40 which is a big diff if u ask me and I could swear I read the meter to be 18 when I was traveling to rio. Well I started justifying z Brasil must be on taxi economy. I complained about the whole bill and lack of clarity in comm skills w everyone they sent me an Asian supervisor whoresolved some of the issues for . Well not from monetary but holistic solutions. Thanked her genouenly and said good bye to all and left. B can't help but to think that the front desk people are saying gey het high maontejance ass out of here. Off it was me and the taxi driver who speakes little english and had 'music international' in his car. I was seeing as we stopped for traffic in our 1 hr drive to airoort a lot of shope w bridal gown displays showing me there is still a fantasy in Brazil as well of an old fashioned wedding..how nice I say almost being sure it would be magic 4 me to gobthru this...which reflects much of what I always think about marriage in 50 years a story of fairytell belonging in the musium cultural. In fact thatbis what I think of religion which isbnot a subject of this memoria. I am always amazed to also see the town populated with the over larger than life billboards of adds usuallydisaying beautiful Brazilian girls - the marketing mogules of products localv& inter
arriving @ Sp aiport taxi helped me with my luggage and off I go to SA ckin..not really friendly I saw the two people at the ticket counter quickly smile as she run thru my bus ticket..and she asked for passport and then for my phone whuch I politly gave my crll no and she said notba SA phone need a local no and name..i said well I am going to over 7 countries so what phone and contact do u want.? Hotel nos and people she quivkly said no problem not necessary...
On flight cute guy and spray sweet smelll exvellentvfoodbwhite fish samon ice crteam SAbwine carb from stallengburge aiport immidration officer asked for yellow fever card which when I asked why he said coming from SP so I had to say I passe†thru and nor enteredbasbhe insisted I saidbentered I seem to have finally convinced him when I told him english is not my first language and my enter means pass thru transfer etc.. he let me pass and commented if it was anotyer guy line and I thanked him as he mutterd see u when u get back then it was the declaration place that stopped me andbobviouslybnot being usedto it I complained and told yhe guy he better put all mybproperty in order and he was so careful when he is going thru it as I stood with arrogance and attitide and asking why they do not do the same to as I point out to the oassing customer while they werebconviniently for me when the boss type officer teyied to politly explain they do it in randum I then asked do peple traveling from Brazil bring food he said yes and I said conviniently well I am traveling from the state..with more attyitude of implying we have plenty of food ha ha and thrn guy finished touching not even searching my luggage due to being wearly about mybmeticulously packed lugge. I even had my protine shiek which was packed in my hand luggage he did not even find although if he did I was going to scream and explian that little powder u see costs 60 dollars so I was saved by his unthrough serach then came the taxi I took after asking info center for best price who is who etc as a crew of taxi drivers populated me as I made my reserv from the internet did not getba chance to ask for car from hotel so I tooknabtaxi for 280 Rand a

São Paulo ---Samba...here we come Brazil!!

São Paulo, Brazil:

Still grand and lots of space as I left it 4 years ago. Sau Paulo even looks trendier and fast developing.

My experience has been interesting , however ---
-morumbie shopping center brazilian sports: to get cash after 5 stand up machines still had to go to citibank.. was seamless..help from shop owner very nice ..no one speaks english except her..great hospitality..with steve & cavin next day..had lunch @ Babaroca @ Murumbi center went shopping after..then..

Daslu an amazing place Beverly hills came to SP blk cars uniformed guards and gated campus..it is all a show..santa was coming big crowed free champagne and coffee inside three bars smoked cigar and posed living la vida loca..next day sunday..ICANN meeting...next outing UNIQUE & Fasano..next Ecco on rue & Amauri hippest place has &Argentinian wine Carbere Suav reserve 2004 everything else is bottle.food Mini Brazilian dumplings appetizers.. flounder with fresh green grapes & almonds & steam vegetables.. no the host suggested salmon with mushroom nd wild rice was delicious... Desert..was anna banana w walnuts..ok banana was hot and then there was the ice cream..can't smoke cigar pitza and cheese dumplings seem to be from chef ..services bad..no one pays attention except smile nice but no attention specially if u do not speak language.
Next day sponsorship of host dinner host at .....great opening show w gymnastics & brazilian beat..fantastic...then clubbing at Lotus club by world trade center..cest models & movie stars..football players..dance pop..till 3am..my nick name madona...the next day was quite next evening was at mulatos dancing better than .... Great faces & bodies w amazing music..affiliated with african music ok ..had lots of fun w Avri & Robbin...

Next day was exercise then off to park ibirapuera park...city tour including the niemeyer 800 seat concert all inside park & stop at jardines to have lunch at Zdeli Jewish patisserie recommended by NY paper ave ..was under construction to be festives tomorrow never seen us as posh as this...then stop at Paris6 cafe cte french bistro at corner on...rua haddock lobo 1240 can only stay for coffee since I found the place surrounded by elderly women seem like they r celebrating a birthday and the guys sitting next to me seem to laugh at them which was responded badly by me ...then walked up the street found Fidele an open wine bar finally it is the Renaissance hotel..very elegant and fully English speaking staff..had them booked for DOM for dinner to come back to their Havana club after 9pm where the place kicks off said the Consiege. Ok time 4 DOM to try celebrity chef Alex Atala to be Dominos Optimos & Msximus. Confetti was tuna Pate garlic and goat cheese aopetiser is paoaya & fruit with shrimp mamamiya freshest fruit main course white fish w restaurant famous tapioca souce seem like there are more service People walking in restaurant also taking notes must be than customer I to make u wonder if it is 3rd world labor. 12 for 16 tables Hum the tables r decorated with Ven perquot Champagen and french style setting w as much gadget as there are service people..interesting a cute blk girl walked in and all of a sudden I watched her pick up spoils on the floors all the way from entrance to kitchen.. She seem very unhappy and left without talking to anyone..humm does slave labor still exist I got thinking..then came the famous entire watched server pour the tapioca sauce over my fish..my my host came over to explain spoon is to taste sauce while eating fish...amazing culinary tapioca seed like structure melts in yr mouth so it is true within an hr the restaurant was full.. Bckground music..flavor of girl inpanima...perfect braziil..everyone is amost couple wanted to make me feek I wished? No I was not at al in that space.. Desert was served by a paulista diaspora from new york yer another one from the bar..cute accent yes 200 per review and offbi go to Emeliano other hotels have Mercedes the Emeliano has its own helicopter and pad says amex review and a trueover-the-top Paulista form..lobby chairs the gold bar buffet chair by campana brothers saunas with flat screen tvs.lovers seating next to me..whispered paparazzi when I was taking pics.. was drinking cafe au lait w the famous zero cal sweetener most fashionable hotel so far w an open space lobby bar and adjacent restaurant..ok found the perfect book when I turned my head from where I was sitting in between collection of books and the Perrier jouet champagnes around them gl- get a life without sacrificing yr career by Dianna Booher copyright 1997.

Next I was informed by Emeliano the place to buy cigars & so I walked few blocks and found Reinnes who local clerks did not know but by the high end restaurant gatekeeper as the later gave me directions while the clerks did not have a clu. So I went in cute joint not large has a flat screen music video playing American sort of jazz music. Met by the owner as the salesgirl could not speak English..then came in and out his friends who r looking 4 action. The owner whose name I do not remember was a kind gentleman patient as he was going thru various prices w me on the unmarked cigars with the assistant of the salesgirl who had the pricelist. With his recomm I bought decent cigars w decent prices..he then asked if I wanted to have coffee I sat down as a big blond as she says it chatty women who I believe later was drawing herself with drinks. He husband who was coming in out of the cigar humidifier
then it was the local airport to rio drama of course I was late ..late in that right on time the usual suspect kinda thing and of course I am a pro at being late and begging 4 pity the help girls to help me since only english etc to see me to the end..so I asked one of the girls to walk with me..who would say no except in the I do not care if u are lost culture of the united states ..so she was at my servicé and got me thru everything told me to hurry to gate 11 upstairs which required a  bicycle to get there think going thru security was a problem nada..nothing beeped it was trying to walk a mile per minute to gate 11 za when I gate there ok it is turned to gate 12 u better insist validating with more than one local to get to where u want to cause announcement is 99perc of the time

My Travel to Egypt Plus Plus

Tried to follow-up with most of this below. My favorite was Shalm El Sheik. Egypt is one of the top attracting touristic destinations in the world as it is privileged by 40% of the world's monuments as well as beaches, resorts, desert safari programs
The Sinai Peninsula
-'a thousnad square kilometers of nothing' -Once part of the ARAB penninsula, after terristoral devastation which led to the isolation of Senai gave rise to two large gulfs:
-Gulf of Suez to the west
-Gulf of Aqaba to the east
Mountains rage from 700 to 2500 meters
Sharm El Sheikh
-Village that developed as a result of the 6 day of the Israelies until the Camp David agreement gave Sinai to back to Egypt
-Between the rock mass of Sinai and behind the incredible blue of Red Sea, sand dunes, rare oasis, camels and tents of the Bedouins.
-Na'ama Bay: touristic center with avant-garde facilities: Novitel, Jolie Ville Golf Hotel ( Movampik)
Ever hotel has its own beach, casinos
-Shark Bay, aquatic village
-El Fanar: beach and coastline, crstalin waters
-Dahab beach
The Rock world -rocky forms caused by the wind's erosion.
-most maginificant moving sites, world of rugged rocks, sand dunes, secrest of Bedouin life,
' a world of rock and sand, of solitude and silence - world in which man can hope to fid himself again.
Ras Mohammed National Park
-Large no of animals, transparent waters marked b one of the most beuatiful coral reefs of the world, more than 150 species of corals and fish, Monastry of St Catherene
Basilica of Transfiguration
Moses Mountain 2285 meters- Table of the Law
Mountain of st Catherine 2642 meters
Oasis of Feiran
-Coast
-Underwter World
References:
CAIRO
Driver in Cairo: Sultan 010-7575343
Phone No in Ciaro: 012-1340197

Jet Set to Puerto Banus - Costa del Sol - Spain.. no I did not tke the boat!!

Cities Spain - Puerto Banus
Marbella ( Queen of Costa del Sol)
--Celebrities & artstocrats
--Merbella club - by price Alfonso Von Hohenlohe 1953, of Liechtenstein for us3k.
Pauerto Banus (Costa's most exclusive marina)
--Palm, trees, neop Andalusian style architecure - mock minearets & moorish arches - is pristine while
--large Yatchs & celeberty spottin
--most cosmopolitan & sophisticated
--design boutics, intl hotels, huge estate agents, luxury car dealers, & gourmet restaurants
----Cannabis Plantation in Morrocc's Rif mountains - Costa del Crime

These are the keyworks for the Morroco.....gibrartar and costa de la sol triangle and yes i lost my Palm pilot as evidence of the Costa del Crime... read on...

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PB is situated between Marbella and San Pedro (approximately 6 km from Marbella, click here for a and is home to some of the most impressive yachts in the world. There is a wide array of bars, restaurants and designer shops along the water-front at Muelle Rivera. As far as restaurants and bards are concerned, you will find that dinner in Puerto Banus, though expensive, becomes a pleasure for the senses, as you will find the best restaurants and the finest kitchen here.

Puerto Jose Banus was inaugurated in May of 1970. It has a capacity for 915 docking posts for berths ranging from 8 to 50m, and two beaches on either side over 150m long. Puerto Banus in Marbella is one of the meeting points where there is a pleasant level of life. The port has a fuel reserve open 24 hours a day, every day, with direct supply to large yachts on the main pier. There is 24 hour surveillance with centralized alarm for boats (optional) and closed circuit TV. Average daily yacht occupancy of the port is ay 760-800.

Puerto Banus nightlife is well known among celebrities, and there are countless clubs and pubs. In the summer months, the whole place rocks 'till daybreak' but expect to pay for it. There are hotels in Puerto Banus of all grades are plentiful but it will be cheaper for you to stay outside Puerto Banus. If you like discotheques and ending up dancing until high hours of the dawn we suggest the well-known discos La Notte, Olivia Valere, and Oh! Marbella, but if you prefer a more youthful atmosphere try Dreamer's.

Many illustrious visitors have passed through it, including the King and Queen of Spain and Belgium, General Franco, Nobel Prize winner Camilo Jose Cela, and Antonio Banderas among others. Puerto Banus' yearly visitors are estimated at over 4,400,000. There are nine 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole golf course within a 10km radius with lighting facilities for playing at night. Some of these are considered to be the best in Europe. There is a street market every Saturday morning by the bullring.

my experience was to be posted from my lost Palm pilot, but soon to be posted here from memory.. BTW, I had a blast and only the pics can tell more...

Marakesh -Morocco

Here we are in Marakesh Morocco:
Independent monarchy, divided into 37 provinces, and the 2 governorates (wilaya) of Casablanca and Rabat-Sale.
Morocco claims, and occupies most of Western Sahara. Morocco also claims the territory of Spanish North Africa. Some hash producing regions in the north are out of control of the central authorities.
Day of independence: March 2, 1956.
Throne Day: July 30, 1999Head of state: Muhammad 6
Prime ministers: Driss Jettou.
The government is made up of 31 ministers.
National Assembly: There are 2 chambers, the Representative with 325 members, and the Advisers with 270 members. All members of the Representative Chamber are elected from general elections. For the Advisers Chamber, 162 seats are elected by local councils, 81 by chambers of commerce and 27 by trade unions.
Inhabitants: 31.2 million (2005 estimate).
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Marrakesh
Founded in 1070-72 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. It has several impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later architectural jewels include the Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre.
The first feeling one has when entering this particular imperial capital is of pure enchantment. We are bewitched-falling under the spell of the place and its people, folk artists to their very souls who have only one aim in view to make a stay in their city as entrancing an experience as possible. With its world-famous square, Jamaâ El Fna, the beacon city of the Almoravids was founded in about 1070 with a view to controlling traffic from the nearby Atlas. It was from this rudimentary settlement that the earliest conquests were launched. Abou Bakr, head of the Almoravids, undertook the construction of a kasbah, nicknamed the "stone castle" only yards away from the present site of the Koutoubia.
Marrakesh became the capital of a vast empire in the reign of Youssef Ben Tachfine-an empire which, under the Almohads, reached as for as the frontiers of Libya.
The first Almohad sovereign, Abdelmoumen began the construction of the Koutoubia mosque, which his grandson Yacoub El Mansour adorned with a superb minaret, still standing today. His son Youssef had reservoirs dug and a spreading administrative district constructed
-Marrakesh reached the height of its glory. Built in the same epoch as Seville's "la Giralda" and Rabat's "Tour Hassan", the Koutoubia, dating from the 11th century, is a truc masterpiece of hispano-moorish art. Its minaret rises to almost 70 metres.
The Badii Palace bas long been regarded as a wonder of the Muslim world. It was the sovereign Ahmed El Mansour Dahbi who undertook construction of the palace following his victory over the Portuguese in the year 986 of the hejira (1578), a victory well-known in the Western World under the name of the Battle of the Three Kings. The major construction work went on for sixteen years. Other marvels to be found in the Red City are the Dar Si Said museum, containing much quintessential Moroccan art and displaying the glittering array of gold and marble ornaments collected by Ahmed El Mansour (1578-1603), greatest of Saadian rulers, the Medersa Ben Youssef, a koranic school founded in 1570 by Moulay Abdallah and a truc masterpiece of Merinid architecture, the Agdal gardens, laid out in the 12th century during the reign of Abdelmoumen and the Menara, a magnificent artificiel lake fringed with flowers ...
Framed by the snowy heights of the Atlas, with rose-coloured ramparts and a thousand year old palm grove, Marrakesh casts a magic spell. Sumptuous and exuberant, it radiates splendour and mysticism ; at the dye merchants, in the explosion of multicoloured wools ; at Festival time, in the rhythm of the music, in the emotion of the dancers ; in the idle talk of the merchants and in the skill of the jugglers. Enchantment, you feel in the shade of the blue gardens and in the overwhelming perfection of the Koutoubia.
MARRAKESH
Between the souks and the riads , the charm of Marrakech has an immediate effect on the visitor.
Some like it for its medina, others appreciate it for its monuments, and others still adulate it for its trendy restaurants …
Marrakech has unanimity : the ochre city is the city to visit
WHAT'S A RIAD ?
The Term médina , in Arabic madina , means old city in contrast to the modern (European style) city.
In Morocco , the riads (also transcribed riyads or ryads ) represent the traditional dwelling in the medina. Etymologically, a riad means « garden » in Arabic.
As you go through the alleys of one of the medinas in Morocco , you will have no doubt that behind the great walls with decent-looking entrance doors, there hide those sumptuous dwellings.
From the very entrance, you will have to go through an elbow-shaped corridor. It is designed in such a way as to leave no chance for any inquisitive eye to steal a glimpse of the splendor of the place: Riads being traditionally constructed in such a way as to be totally closed on the outside world to protect the intimacy of the women inside.
The Riads of Morocco are still full of yesteryear ambiances; their mystery continues to fascinate a large number of foreign visitors who come for a sojourn there.
Understanding Marrakech :
The Medina , once the only part of town, is still the core of Marrakech. Since the Protectorate, new neighborhoods have been added to the city.
The Modern part shelters the Gueliz and the Hivernage : neighborhoods famous for their many restaurants and stores.

Not to forget the beautiful Palmeraie (Palm grove) without which Marrakech would never be the same ! Thirty years ago , superb hotels, palaces and other villas were constructed there. The Palmeraie (palm grove), far from downtown hubbub, offers isolation, tranquility and quietude within a magic framework !

Around Marrakech :
Marrakech is blessed with an extraordinary setting in Morocco : East, the Atlantic coast- the coastal cities (Agadir and Essaouira) are only a few hours drive away.- To the South, the High Atlas protects Marrakech from the arid climate of the South, and provides a source for irrigating the city gardens and the three magnificent internationally-known golf courses. -North, the economic cities of Casablanca and Rabat are accessible via highway.
Only a few hours away from Marrakech, sea, snow, and desert are all on offer!

Jet Set to Casablanca

Morocco: CASABLANCA:
The classic and much-loved romantic melodrama Casablanca (1942), always found on top-ten lists of films, is a masterful tale of two men vying for the same woman's love in a love triangle. The story of political and romantic espionage is set against the backdrop of the wartime conflict between democracy and totalitarianism.
[The date given for the film is often given as either 1942 and 1943. That is because its limited premiere was in 1942, but the film did not play nationally, or in Los Angeles, until 1943.]
With rich and smoky atmosphere, anti-Nazi propaganda, Max Steiner's superb musical score, suspense, unforgettable characters (supposedly 34 nationalities are included in its cast) and memorable lines of dialogue (e.g., "Here's lookin' at you, kid," and the inaccurately-quoted "Play it again, Sam"), it is one of the most popular, magical (and flawless) films of all time - focused on the themes of lost love, honor and duty, self-sacrifice and romance within a chaotic world.
If the Hollywood image of
'Casablanca' is important to you, prepare for a shock from Casablanca. The city is further away from Oriental romanticism than any other in Morocco, and Casablanca is a modern city - and beautiful in its own respect.
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Chronic cannabis intoxication of a significant fraction of the male population still prevails in Morocco. The preparation used (kif) is a powder made from the dried flower of the female plant. It contains 2 to 3% THC and is smoked mixed with tobacco (1/3 of the mixture).
Previous reports have documented an improvement in night vision among Jamaican fishermen after ingestion of a crude tincture of herbal cannabis, while two members of this group noted that Moroccan fishermen and mountain dwellers observe an analogous improvement after smoking kif
On the other side of the Strait, Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It is located in southwestern Europe adjoining the southern coast of Spain, a strategic location on the Strait of Gibraltar that links North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The territory was under the Moorish control until 1462 when it was overrun by Spanish forces. The Anglo-Dutch force seized the rock in 1704 and the territory was ceded to Great Britain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. Ever since, it has belonged to the United Kingdom despite several attempts by Spain to claim the strategic territory.

The rivalry between Christian Spain whose identity is based on the memories of expelling of the moors during the "reconquista" in the 15-17th centuries and the Moroccan Muslim dynasties is thus a red thread of the region’s history and social dynamics. The relationship between Morocco and Spain has deteriorated over the past decade and Morocco has refused to cooperate on many border issues, while rejecting all non-Moroccans who try to use the country as a stepping stone to Europe. The Government of Morocco has called for the integration of Ceuta and Melilla into its national territory, drawing comparisons with Spain’s claims on Gibraltar. 2000, El Ejido , terrorism in 2004, new government in 2005 and reconciliation…

Here we come Dubai...

So it is the tinsel town of the middle East... wait i have stories and pics to post.. I willexpand on my quick posts below soon...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophialife/sets/72157601081142810/

A's..penthouse
shagarila health culb
UAE Entalisat
Fairmont ...Spectrum on one..cheif from Penjab ...6 Çusine ...tai...indian..europ..arabic..japan.......chinese
-Emerites Towers ... head off 4 jeremia intl ..Bar...shusi...ET guys
meria @ shangsrila
-internet city...media city
-medina Jemeria..resort..shopping souk....pisices seafood....jambase jass restaurant....trilogy club
-mina a selam....boutiq hotel
-Jeremia Beach club exclusive
Arabian Dune Dinner Safari
four wheel drive over rolling dunes
pass margam village..
dune busting on margam desert
camel farm
hajar mountain like rocky mt..w
camel ride
dinner on Bedu tents
belly dancer under galaxy of stars w arabian music
henna tattos
arpmatic shisha
Businessmen
-Shiek Al Maktum 4 brothers
-Mahlid Tagin
-Hal Family
-Malta

My First trip to Istanbul and Dubai

Yes, Istabul - Turkey.

I would be astranged if I did not check in at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, with the view of Bosphorus!
My trip before Istanbul was thru Paris, so I have eyed up some Morrocans at the airport loung in Paris, then Istanbul , and belive it or not, they happen to have checked in the same hotel.
On my check-in to the Hotel, I saw them again, they were going out to dinner, and given how stylish they wore, I could not help but to ask where they were going and the hot spots around town. It so happens they are frequent travelers to Istanbul and so i decided to join them, bringing my friend alonmg, who was suppose to meet me at the same hotel. My friens lives in Dubai and we decided to meet in istanbul as he was planning to vacation thee and I was doing my glob trotting. I have know him for years, so I know i could tag him along eveywhere.

So here started the fun.... also do not forget to check out the pics below. Thank god for our digitals, for if not, I will have to describe everything to you, which I have no time to. ...so enjoy!
Ok...this are my notepoints I will get to them later:

Laveda Spa - Hammam (Turkish Bath) - Sultans - Turkish ottoman style massage - Bolentl
RC Bar ..best malt wisky & cigar selection w live music
turktele
-Presents a European posture...gov is secular...no state religion...i.e muslim..chatolic..ortod..armenian..russian..protestant etc..are well represented..haigh sophia
crossroads of the ancient world's trade routh...crossroad of 3 great world religion...crossroad of conflicting and converging ancient civiliz...Byzantium..Conistantinopol...and now Istambul
-many five star hotelsl..
- Food...turkish delight..lokum..sushi...nori wrap...shihkibab..teriyaki..veget paradise..fish from blk sea...tukish coffee
Dinner Club @ Club 29
-Haghi Sophia..
-Istical St.
-bosphorous..a heavily traveled waterway in center of istam...from Marmara Sea to BlackSea
-Grand Bazar...big fish market..ferry to princess island...@ Ali baba restaurant
four seasons - former prison
-hasan diker ritz carlton - carpet
90 212 251 76 25 GSM 05326785762
hhdiker@hotmail.com
Divan Hotel -- Lokem tukish delight
ce n est que partie remise ma cherie.
j espere te revoir tres prochainement .
Missed u already.
Bisous pudique.
Moi...
ISTANBUL:
In the reign of Constantine The Great, Byzantium was renamed as Constantinople, and became the