Today in Morocco you’ll find wide disparities regarding attitudes toward a woman’s role in society, and there are great differences between Moroccan regions. In general women in the north are expected to fill traditional roles and live by Muslim customs while in the south women are more likely to go to college and work in professions. Much of the differences are reflected in women’s dress. In the north you’ll still see women wearing black burqas, loose fitting, plain robes and a lot of hijabs, while in the south modern western dress is common but still hijabs are often worn.
Woman wearing a burqa outside Marrakesh
A woman sits near a road in the isolated Todgha Gorge
Some More Recent Posts From The Intentional Travelers You Might Find Interesting:
Ever wonder why people rave about one photograph and have no reaction to another? Other than photos that capturing an important moment there are some photographs that seem to rise in peoples awareness and a major element of those images is composition.
The rules of composition in photography are essential guidelines that help photographers create visually appealing images. One fundamental principle is the Rule of Thirds, which involves dividing the image into a grid of nine equal parts and placing the subject at the intersections to create balance and interest. Another important guideline is the Golden Ratio, which suggests a more dynamic arrangement of elements based on mathematical proportions.
Other notable techniques include the use of leading lines, which guide the viewer’s eye through the photograph, and diagonal lines, which can add a sense of movement and energy to the composition. Additionally, concepts like foreground interest and depth enhance the three-dimensional feel of an image, while techniques such as frame within a frame can add layers and context. Following are brief examples of the major rules of photographic composition.
Composition Rules For Improving Your Photography
Ansel Adam’s Mount Williamson from Manzanar – Shooting from a low perspective
I’ve spent most of my life in photography and long ago I learned a few things about composition. What turns an okay picture into something really good. When to follow the rules and when to break them but most of all how important it is to be aware of just what you’re seeing
Cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial – Framing with a foreground element
My education also included a lot of time studying the masters of the craft and I had the privilege to meet and talk to a number of them and it has influenced my approach to taking photographs ever since. Here I like to offer some ideas on what to look for to help make your photography more compelling.
Foreground and the S curve
Don’t Just Stand There – Very few great photographs were actually taken from five feet above the ground. That’s the height of a camera held in front of your face while standing. It may be the most comfortable position for taking pictures but it is also the most often used, the most ordinary. I had a Nat Geo photographer once tell me that if he isn’t in the dirt or hasn’t climbed something to get the shot he just isn’t doing the job he was hired to do. Simply put, changing your point of view and your perspective changes the picture for the better. Consider the Adam’s image Mount Williamson from Manzanar above.
Dunedin, Florida sunset – get up early – go out late
The Time Of Day Matters – It’s hard to take a Sunrise if you don’t get out of bed and Sunrises usually provide the day’s best lighting.The golden hours. Get out there when the world is just waking up and you’ll often see some remarkable sights. The same holds true around sunset. Late evening and nighttime scenes have their own special magic. Photography is a function of light and contrasts and it’s all about the light.
Look For The Geometry In A Scene -Composition can speak directly to the subconscious causing the eye and mind to be drawn into the flow and depths of the image. Have you ever seen two images of pretty much the same scene where one is just flat while the other draws your attention? It is elements of composition that make the difference. Consider a few simple tricks.
Ansel Adams – The Tetons and Snake River
The S Curve – Famous landscapes are often examples of the S Curve but it can be incorporated in a number of images. A photograph that has a flow to it usually has graphic elements that wind back and fourth through the frame in an S shape. Start looking at images and you will find the S shape often. It tends to cause the eye to start at the back of the scene and travel through the scene following that S curve. Ansel Adams photograph of the Tetons and Snake River is a perfect S Curve.
Bondi Beach Australia and the S curve
Framing the subject
FrameThe Scene – A sense of depth in a photograph actually draws us into the image and makes it more meaningful. Again the appeal is often subconscious but that too adds to the impact of a photograph. The easiest way to add depth and appeal to a scene is to include near objects in a distant shot like tree limbs or near rock formations. Conrad Hall was the cinematographer on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Paul Newman and the cast thought that there was so much filming from behind bushes that at one point they tied bushes around their waists to cover part of their faces as a joke.
Ansel Adams – Birch trees
Use The Rule Of Thirds – Either in taking a picture or later cropping it consider the Rule of Thirds. Divide a scene into thirds horizontally and vertically and that produces four line intersections. Place the most important element in your scene at the points where they intersect. These are called power points and the most significant one is the lower right. Most right handed people are drawn to that location first in a scene. The more muted the rest of the composition the more powerful the image.
First and foremost, the take-away for improving your photography is don’t just shoot the scene in front of you but take a moment to appreciate it and the elements that make it interesting along with its surroundings. You are about to create a two dimensional graphic representation of your experience – make it as interesting as you possibly can.
Download The Intentional Traveler’s short guide to taking better pictures. Our pdf guide is free to download use and print.
The Grand Teton Range rises steeply out of the valley floor and towers over the valley of Jackson Hole. It provides dramatic alpine scenery that draws millions of visitors to Grand Teton National Park each year.
This giclée print will soon be available in our online store. Offered in several sizes and styles and custom printed for each order on archival paper using fade resistant inks.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
Haven’t Joined Us Yet? We Promise To Make It Worth Your While.
Essential And Fun Take-Alongs For Your Next Cruise
Okay, you’ve booked your cruise and packed your bags, so you’re good to go – right? Actually there’s a whole list of things you carry along that can enhance your cruise and even save you money.
Poster Circa 1952
LOOKING FOR A GREAT BON VOYAGE GIFT?
Looking for a great bon voyage gift? Want some solid ideas to make your cruise experience even more enjoyable? We’ve curated a number of great items to help you make a splash!
Bon Voyage Ideas!
Our extended family has done some cruising and it is a family tradition to have a bottle of wine delivered to the cruisers stateroom as a bon voyage gift. That’s not a new idea and that tradition goes way back to the era of those famous trans-Atlantic liners. Todays cruise lines are perfectly happy to help you keep that tradition alive.
The cruise lines want to make it as easy as possible for you, just check out their web sites. Take a look at Royal Caribbeans Bon Voyage Shop for some gift ideas. We’ve got a few ideas of our own and ours just might give you a bit more bang for your buck.
Check With Your Cruise Line
Before your cruise you’ll need to research your cruise line to see what items each guest is allowed to bring onboard. For example Royal Caribbean and Celebrity allow each passenger to bring with them one bottle of wine. Considering the costs for drinks and wine, this is an option not to overlook.
Fun CruiseGiftsTo Give or Use Yourself
One of our favorite cruise bon voyage gift ideas is to give them a Cruise Specific Gift Card before they leave on their cruise. After all the money spent booking the cruise and getting to the ship it’s a nice way to help their money go further.
Please note:Clicking on an image on this post links to the items on Amazon.comWe do not receive and fee or commission from Amazon for these suggestions.
Door Magnets
Royal Caribbean Door Magnets
Let them know who’s cruising. Marking and decorating stateroom doors is becoming a fun way to show who you are and celebrate the occasion. This makes a great bon voyage gift too. This door magnet design is customized for Royal Caribbean cruisers.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Carnival Cruise Door Magnets
Marking and decorating stateroom doors is becoming a fun way to show who you are, where you are and celebrate the occasion. A great bon voyage gift idea too. This item is designed to be customized for Carnival cruisers.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Onboard Gift Cards
We can’t think of a better bon voyage gift than an onboard gift card. After spending all that money on a cruise what could be a better gift than extra money to spend onboard. Save money on board by applying this gift card to the onboard cruise account! Use it for drinks, a special dinner or to take a land tour.
Know someone taking a Princess Cruise? How about a little more fun on that cruise? This is a fantastic bon voyage gift! Get this gift card and apply the amount you select. These cards allow the guest to apply the money on the card right to their onboard charge account. They’ll love you for it!
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Know someone taking a Carnival Cruise? Get this gift card and apply the amount you select. A great bon voyage gift! These cards allow the guest to apply the amount on the card right to their onboard account. They’ll love you for it!
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Know someone taking a Holland America Cruise? Get this gift card and apply the amount you select. These cards allow the guest to apply the amount on the card right to their onboard charge account. They’ll love you for it!
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Gadgets & Helpful Ideas
Little things that make a big difference. These simple items come in handy when you cruise. After a couple of decades of cruising we’ve discovered a number of items that we think are worth their weight in gold. Nightlights, hooks, beach-towel clips and more.
There’s Never Enough Outlets
Most cruise ships have a pretty limited number of electric outlets and often they are difficult to use, especially with odd sized plugs like voltage converter plugs. Be prepared with a single device that provides three grounded outlets (125V/15A, Max 1875W）and three USB charging ports（3.1A Total) . It auto-detects charged devices to deliver optimum and fastest charging speed up to 5V/2.4A. Don’t cruise without this cube*.
A good addition to this is a 6″ pigtail (a short extension cord) to help reach recessed outlets*.
*Recently several cruise lines are restricting the use of multi outlets and extension cords making charging multiple items difficult. If you use these items it would be a good idea to only use them while you’re in in the stateroom and stow them after use.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Some Ships Have Built-In Nightlights But Unfortunately Many Do Not – It’s Good To Be Prepared
These are great for cruising but also they’re a great travel accessory anywhere you go. From cruise staterooms to B&B stays, this will save a lot of stubbed toes and unnecessary middle of the night noise. Battery operated with charging by USB outlet they are motion activated. We put one on the bathroom counter wherever we travel.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Need To Stay In Touch With Family While On Board?
Traveling with a family or group? Sometimes catching up with people can be a hassle. From pools to cafe to buffets, spa and games, where are they? Cruising with children adds a whole other challenge with missed meetings and kids not checking in. Here’s an easy answer. Carry a set of walkie talkies.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
All Cruise Lines Use A Keycard As A Stateroom Key And For Charging Onboard – Carry Your Seapass Card In Style.
Carrying your ship keycard (Seapass) on a lanyard is a convenient way to keep it handy. There are any number of clear cases available but this one has more style than any we’ve found. We also like that this one has a convenient pocket on the back that makes the card even more accessible. Order in pink, black or rose-gold.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Lots Of Fun To Be Had Lounging By The Pool
A packet of these little jewels are the perfect way to keep your towel clipped to your lounger while marking your space with bright tropical colors. No more towels sliding down just as you go to stretch out. Comes in packs of eight. They also come in real handy holding clothes to dry in your stateroom. Enough said…
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Extra Secure Luggage Tag Holders Help Make Sure You Get Your Bags Onboard And To Your Cabin
Gone are those days when the cruise line sent luggage tags to you before the cruise. Today when you register for your cruise the website provides a set of printable screens to create your tags. The job is now yours to print, fold and attach those to your bags. Keep a set of these secure luggage tag holders handy and feel secure that you bags will make it to your stateroom. This set is designed to hold tags from Carnival, Princess, P&O, Norwegian, Costa, and Holland America.
This design was created to match tags from Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity. Travel secure knowing that your bags will find you on time.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Freshen Up Your Clothes While You Travel
These items don’t just save money but time too. We travel over a quarter of the year with an average trip being around thirty days. Over the years we’ve developed a system that involves easy to rinse out cloths, travel detergent and accessories to hang up items and prevent wrinkles.
Our Favorite Inflatable Travel Hangers
These rugged hangers pack flat and inflate providing a broad shape to prevent those puckers that flat hangers can produce on shoulders of blouses, shirts and T’s.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Wash Out Clothes On The Road
Handy packets of mild laundry detergent to rinse out clothes in a sink. There are a number of choices but these are easy to carry and meet our requirements.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
Spray Away Those Wrinkles
No Matter how carefully you pack there always seem to be a few unsightly wrinkles when you unpack. Here’s a quick way to deal with those wrinkles without spending much.
You can buy and carry a commercial wrinkle release product or you can make you own for just pennies. We carry a small 30ml spray bottle when we travel with just a small amount of ingredients inside. When we need to use it we just fill with water, shake and mist the wrinkles. Here’s the recipe:
To a 30 ml Bottle add the following ingredients
1 Teaspoon rubbing alcohol
1/4 Teaspoon uncolored fabric softener
Shake
Once you get to your room and start unpacking, just fill the bottle with water, shake and spray. If you run out, just plain water can also do almost as good a job. Just mist lightly and hangup the clothes to dry.
Click the image for a direct link to Amazon.com
If Seasickness Is A Concern – Stop Worrying
While issues with seasickness on a cruise are usually mild and short lived there are actions you can take to greatly reduce the likelihood of it occurring. My wife has a long history of suffering from motion sickness and was very concerned before our first cruise. She went to the doctor to get a prescription for a patch but received some good advice as well. The doctor also had a problem with seasickness but while boating in Australia he was told about taking ginger and claimed it worked great for him.
My Wife Swears By Ginger
Before our first cruise she went to the doctor to ask for a prescription for the patch. The doctor gave her the prescription but recommended she try ginger capsules first. She starts taking them a day before the cruise and takes three a day with meals (very important unless you want to taste ginger all day) during the cruise. Problem solved. She’s taken over fifty cruises with a few through high seas with barely a problem with seasickness.
Click the image to link to this item on Amazon.com
What Exactly Is Seasickness?
It results from a conflict in the inner ear, where the human balance process resides. The inner ear actually senses motion without relying on our sense of sight. Inside a rocking ship the inner ear detects changes in both up-and-down and side-to-side motion as the body moves along with the ship. Since the ships interior moves along with the us, our eyes register a relatively stable unmoving scene. Confused by this perceptual conflict, the brain reacts with a release of stress-related hormones that can ultimately lead to nausea, vomiting, and vertigo.
The first approach to lessoning the symptoms is to settle the stomach which is why Darmamine and ginger help. Another approach is to demonstrate to the mind that the perceptual conflict is real. Going somewhere where you can look out at the sea is and effective way to resolve the perceptual conflict. Going out on deck also provides fresh air which also helps.
More Motion Sickness Options
Over the counter options to consider just in case. It’s always better to be prepared…
Click to order on Amazon.com
Click to order Amazon.com
Click to order Amazon.com
Plan your port visits before you sail with our port guides:
Some More Recent Posts From The Intentional Travelers You Might Find Interesting:
The cherry blossom season in Washington, D.C. is a highly anticipated event, with the National Cherry Blossom Festival scheduled to run from March 20 to April 13, 2025. This year, peak bloom is forecasted to occur between March 28 and April 5th, as reported by the National Park Service. The festival celebrates the blooming of thousands of cherry trees, which showcase stunning pink and white flowers particularly around the Tidal Basin an Jefferson Memorial.
Some More Recent Posts From The Intentional Travelers You Might Find Interesting:
One of the worlds great natural harbors, see where you’ll dock, local attractions, transportation and history of this fantastic port of call.
If the world has a perfect port of call, this is it. Besides being the worlds greatest natural harbor, the harbor is surrounded by a truly remarkable city. The center of the Sydney harbor area is Circular Quay with ferries leaving regularly for dozens of destinations like Manley Beach, Watson’s Bay and Luna Park. In addition the Circular Quay is located near the Sydney Opera House, the harbor bridge, the Rocks and metro transportation hubs (links to more info below). The great news is that cruise ships dock just across from Circular Quay.
Where Your Ship Docks
One of the great things about Sydney as a port of call is the pier location. Cruise ships dock right next to The Rocks, a great historic neighborhood with restaurants, shops and a museum. Less than a half mile walk west The Rocks is Darling Harbor which is a modern centerpiece to the area featuring more fantastic attractions and great restaurants. A short walk in the opposite direction from tThe Rocks is Circular Quay where you can catch any number of ferries to destinations all around this huge harbor.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Embarking and Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. The cruise pier disembarks right into the downtown area. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with but Sydney is a modern city with good infastructure for people using wheelchairs.
Transportation
Getting into the central city is just a short walk from the pier and the mass transit options are really good. If you are going to be in Sydney for a while or if you want to spend your day traveling on your own, be sure and get an Opal Card (More on the Opal Card HERE). Because ships dock very near Circular Quay you can also catch a ferry to any number of locations around the harbor (Opal Card works on the ferries too).
Circular Quay
Currency
You should get some currency exchanged even if you plan on relying on credit cards just just to buy incidentals. Currently the Australian dollar is equal to 76¢ U.S. Most credit cards are welcome and ATM machines are plentiful.
Tipping
It’s important to understand that Australians just DON’T tip for any reason. If you go to a restaurant and the menu says $10.00 that is exactly what you should expect to pay. Most listed prices include all taxes and gratuities.
History
Sailing westward from New Zealand across open sea in April 1770 Capt. Cook became the first known European to reach the east coast of Australia, making landfall near present-day Point Hicks. He then proceeded north and landed at Botany Bay.
Australia became an English colony in 1788 when the first prisoners assigned to the new penal colony of Australia arrived at Botany Bay inside the area of todays Sydney Harbor. When America won its freedom, England lost the ability to assign criminals to their American colonies and switched to Australia to deposit people they thought unfit to live in England. While thousands of criminals were banished to Australia on 16 January 1793 a ship arrived at Sydney Cove carrying the first few hundred free settlers looking for opportunity and they were soon followed by waves of thousands more.
The Rocks
Local Highlights
Within a couple of blocks of the pier are two museums, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Discovery Museum, both worthy of a visit.
The Sydney Opera House – It dominates the harbor right across from where cruise ships dock. Even if there are no productions scheduled there are still guided tours ($) of this architectural masterpiece.
The Harbour Bridge – This structure dominates the harbor and there are actually tours that will walk you up the suspension cables to the very top if you feel brave enough.
Luna Park – This is an amusement park located across the harbor from Circular Quay with a stop on two ferry routes. It is mostly an evening and night destination if you are spending a couple of days in the harbor area.
In addition to the famous sites, Sydney’s vibrant culture is highlighted at Darling Harbour and The Rocks, where visitors can explore markets and local cuisine.
Darling Harbor – Less than a half mile west of the pier through The Rocks is Darling Harbor with a number of very good restaurants, shops and Sea Life the Sydney Aquarium.
The Rocks – As you leave the ship and begin walking you have two choices; off to the left you are heading toward Circular Quay and the downtown district and the Opera House on the other side of the Quay. If you go straight ahead and up some large stairs you will find yourself in the middle of The Rocks. The Rocks became established shortly after the English colony’s formation in 1788. The original buildings were timber with thatched roofs, and later many were replaced with local sandstone block, this limestone is where the area derives its name. This neighborhood is the original foundation of the city of Sydney. From the earliest history of the Rocks, the area had a reputation as a slum and the convicts’ side of town and was often frequented by visiting sailors because of the numerous rum bars and prostitutes.
For wildlife lovers, Taronga Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium provide engaging experiences with Australia’s unique fauna. The city also features historical attractions like the Queen Victoria Building (featuring a number of shops) and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, showcasing both heritage and contemporary art.
Royal Botanic Gardens – Just to the east of Circular Quay is a large park that includes The Gardens along with The Rose Garden and Pavilion.
Catch a Ferry – Don’t miss an opportunity to grab a ferry at Circular Quay and see Sydney from the water, the night skyline is spectacular. Visit Manley Beach, a popular surfing beach and Watson’s Bayif your exploring by ferry..
Manley Beach
If you are spending a few days in Sydney we’d recommend getting an Opal Card for public transportation. You can catch a metro and bus out to Bondi Beach which is one of the worlds more famous surfing beaches and has a remarkable walking trail along the cliffs. You can also take a train on the Opal Card out to the Blue Mountains which is about an hour and a half out of Sydney.
Additional button links for more information on visiting Sydney:
The Intentional Travelers 