We're here in Puerto Naos and we're finally meeting other cruisers we've only been hearing on the SSB radio net. Caught up with Ian and Wendy from New Zealand on 'Remedy' last night. Today we met up with the American guys on 'Traveller' and Wayne and Duane on 'Bali Hi 2'
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12 November 2009, en route and 2am UTC
What a time! We've been out of touch because the very nice man in Safi, Morocco tried to help by washing the boat down and didn't realise the windows were open. Our new little laptop copped a dose of salt water and, after we washed it with fresh water, blow-dried it and left it for a day to really dry out, it seemed to be working til yesterday when it started doing weird things. That meant we were unable to connect to the satphone email, and no blog updates. Sam's computer's now up and running with all the software so we're back. Underway and expected to arrive in the Canary Islands tomorrow night. Last night was a roller coaster ride with winds of 30 knots gusting upwards and seas of about 3-4 metres. Fortunately all on the stern which Meander loves and things were reasonably comfortable...and we FLEW. Up to 8.5 knots of speed at times, which is fast for us, and we knocked over 142 nautical miles in 24 hours...we normally average about 100. Now that winds and seas have settled we're under motor again in very calm conditions which should remain til we arrive on Graciosa Island some time tomorrow night.
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6 November 2009, Safi,safe port in Morocco
We have had an unbelievable couple of days! We met Suzanne and Jacque on the French boat Primavere who we very rudely rafted up to at 3am in the morning yesterday. Being European they didn't seem the least bit phased as they do that sort of thing all the time in Europe. We also met Bushaib, a local guy who voluntarily comes to greet the visiting yachties at the harbour, make them feel welcome, get them fuel and water, take them shopping and many other things. There is no request for gifts or money, only offers to go into his home, meet his wonderful family and be fed traditional Morrocan food. Of course, we'll pay him something before we leave but he's shown us a side of Morocco that'd been really wonderful. Yesterday we were guided through the Medina (old town), past the Potter's Quarter and the Souk (markets) to his house where we had traditional Cous Cous with chicken and vegetables followed by tea made from basic tea,mint and sugar...wonderful. What made it all the more pleasant was that Suzanne was actually an English teacher back in France so she could translate for us when my rusty old French got too much. After lunch, arrangements were made for Suzanne and I to go with Bushaib's wife and daughter to the Hammam (bath house). So off we went today with our towels and loufa mits and we felt so honoured to be invited into this traditional place for with the local women. There were three rooms of varying heat and for two hours we all (probably about 20 women of varying ages and only two tourists) sat pampering and scrubbing ourselves and dousing ourselves with mildly salty water...all naked except for our undies. Just doesn't happen in Australia. I came out with no suntan and pleasantly tired....forgot about the debacle at the Potter's Quarter so will catch up on that tomorrow.
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