068 Spain: Tarifa; Cadiz (Morocco: Tangiers)

Spain: Santiponce, Tarifa;
Morocco: Tangiers
Spain: Conil, Zahara, Cadiz

We met some fellow Aussies who asked us if we had been to Santiponce. We said "Where?"
Turns out to have been the 3rd largest Roman city outside of Rome.
Unfortunately the main site was closed on Monday but this is the theatre that they have just started to excavate. I'd like to come back in 5 years just to see what they make of it.

Tarifa. The most southern point of Europe.
Lots of nice things going for it if you are young, a backpacker, a wandering musician or like to party. Picture of Tarifa port with Moroccan mts. behind.
We've been travelling since the 1st May with Aussie flag wing mirror covers. Someone in Tarifa stole them. Shame, as they got us noticed and helped us locate the car.

Each day I write my diary. This is one of the nicer places I've written it. On the roof of our hotel is a small area where you can sit. The breeze is wonderful.

Tarifa before the action starts. The hotel opposite us had happy hour from 11pm until 2am!

We took a day trip to Morocco, so that we can say we have been to 20 countries (sounds so much better than 19 :)
Our guide is wonderful but anxious that we are booked on the 6:30pm ferry and not the 2:30 ferry as he says "There isn't actually much to see in Tangiers".

They are very proud of their flag and it is to be found everywhere.

This man bakes bread. There are lots of these little places. Our guide pays him E4 so we can take the photo.

The market is wonderful. The fish and the spices. So clean. Note the swordfish head,

 

Frank's favourite stall. Garlic, onions and chilli by the rope load.

We enjoy our visit to Tangiers despite the three main attractions (Mosque, museum & Hercules cave) all being closed.
Having a guide was worth it as he prevented us from being harassed and gave us lots of history and interesting facts - he was also a top soccer player so Frank talked soccer with him.
I think the biggest surprise was the hundreds of cats on the streets.

Just outside our hotel in Tarifa are buskers. They are very talented. The Spanish guitar playing was formidable. We sat on our balcony and enjoyed it (After making our 'donation' to their 'cause') - spot Ruth on balcony.

From Tarifa to Cadiz, which isn't really a tourist destination and we love it all the more because there is very little English spoken.

On the way we are caught in flash floods. Finding our own diversion was a big challenge and at one stage I thought the GPS might blow a fuse as every few seconds she (Claudette) said "When possible make a U turn".
Some wonderful parks in Cadiz.

Centre of town (Although there are possibly 3 centres) - this is Town Hall where the boats arrived from the New World and sold their goods.

The 1812 Spanish Constitution was signed after Napoleon forced them to relocate the Spanish capital to Cadiz.
Spanish history is amazing.

After saying this isn't a tourist spot I'm now showing you something all places should have, for tourists. There are 5 coloured lines running all over the city. 4 are 1 hour walks, 1 is a 2 hour walk. You just follow the coloured line and along the way there are plaques to tell you what's what and who's who. Brilliant.

Next stop Rota, where we will catch up with my good friend Lois and her travelling companion Francine, (Franks edit: via Jerez where we will taste the sherry. Well.....Champagne in Champagne, Sauternes in Sauternes, Port in Porto, Schnapps in Germany, Vodka in Russia, Guinness in Ireland, Best Bitter in London etc.).