I had the best sleep in six weeks after an Asian Street Food Dinner at the hotel last night, Each couple had a U$100 credit for food at the hotel, [the result of paying too much for our absolutely fabulous hotel no doubt.] The good sleep was a combination of an excellent bed, a glass of beer, a pain pill for my damn shoulders and lots of space to get in and out of bed, far more than the ship’s bed which was too tight to the Wall in case I needed at get up in the dark for some reason.
We met up with the Cutlers at checkout and took separate cabs to the airport as we had too much luggage for one and there were no vans immediately available.
To our surprise there is a separate vehicle entrance for First Class and Business Class passengers! We finally hooked up with Jim and Gail about 1/2 hour before we boarded. As a result we are on the top level of the plane and never saw them again for nine hours when we landed in Casablanca.
Forgive me please if I elaborate a bit too much on this airplane and Emirates Air Lines, the carrier. They have three main classes on board this giant 600 passenger Airbus A 380-800 plane: Economy, Business Class and First Class. First Class? Not sure how many carriers have that. If you ever win the lottery, Fly Emirates! In Business class we appear to be overstaffed and over serviced by the most polite and attractive assortment of men and women possible, speaking 13 languages.
English is spoken by all but with some misinterpretation I must say. I went to the bar, [yes, we have a bar] and ordered a Gin and Tonic before lunch: [8:30 AM Casablanca time, 11:30 Dubai time]. The steward shortly came by with a plate of warmed nuts and a glass of what I thought was water. I had a sip and it was Gin! Oh well, two gins before noon!
The toilet on this plane: First of all, it has a window, cloth hand towels and flowers! Four toilets in Business Class for maybe 56 of us. There are six rows in First Class, separate toilet facilities, bar and shower facilities. Unbelievable!
The flight was supposed to be 8 hours and 50 minutes but the screen in front of me noted an hour less. The time difference is three hours during the flights so we moved our clocks forward before my after-breakfast nap, I am trying to fool my mind into that time zone, where we land shortly after lunch which is really mid afternoon.
Oh Oh, the steward just wheeled a wine trolley past me for the pre-lunch aperitif! Methinks I will have a glass of water!
The plane also advises, via the monitor, the direction of Mecca and advises of prayer times. There is an area to pray, both in the airport gate area, and on this deck, I believe.
***. ***. ***
We arrived in this city of 6,000,000 45 minutes early but the immigration was slow and the baggage claim was a bit of a mess. However our man, Moe, short for Mohammed, was waiting for us as planned. Soon the driver pulled up and off we went in a big Mercedes through the city to the seaside to our hotel.
The hotel is nice, not luxurious, but nice, in a Moroccan sort of way. We are in a rather high rent are of Casablanca, but Moe said that Morocco is a Third World Country. We will find out soon.
When we finally got checked in and went to the room, Fellette repacked and sorted all four cases. We hope to leave two cases at the hotel until we return 14 days from now.
The day has been a very long one, the major portion of it was spent in the plane, plus a three hour time change. We ent to bed very early tonight after a very nice dinner outside with Jim and Gail. Our tour gets underway tomorrow morning at 9:30, when we head out to Rabat.
Dubai airport about 5:00 AM.
These women look so attractive in their uniforms.
Handsome men as well.
Champagne before breakfast.
The bar in business class.
Our man in Casablanca: Moe.
A nice shiny air-conditioned Mercedes with a driver and guide.
The hotel entrance.
A little bit of Morocco in the lobby.
Entranceway.
Islamic designs are beautiful in my opinion.
Gail at check-in.
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