ANDALUSIA STAGE 4 - TARIFA & GIBRALTAR

 

Stage 4: So, Tarifa…the furthest point south in Europe, and the closest point to Morocco, which was clearly visible. Is the Kite surfing capital due to two winds, the Poniente and the Levante - although, and fortunately for me, there was little wind, although I’m sure the sight of 100s of kite surfers would have been quite cool.

Not a particularly large place, but with an old quarter, with hidden little squares with bars and eateries…very nice, and with that cool surfer vibe….to the west, the stunningly beautiful sandy surfers beach, on the Atlantic….and to the east the more rugged coastline of Parque Natural de Estrecho, on the Mediterranean.

In the morning, I had a wander, including walking the causeway to the Isla de las 

Palomas, as far south as I could, this technically, is the most southerly point in Europe…and of course, I had to message the kids and tell them that at that point in time I was the most southern person in Europe! 😂

However, it backfired, soon after, there was an unexpected impact: I was desperate for a cool beer, but when I ordered it, the barman would only serve me shandy! 😂😜 (well I laughed when I wrote this 🤭).

I didn’t really go for a beer, I turned to the long surf beach and walked in the ebb…amazing (with headphones again: queue, Melt by Leftfield 🥰)…quite heavenly, solitudinal too….eventually I cut back to the mainland for a coffee and bite to eat…

All very quiet, nicely off season, but got chatting to a Becca….English with VG Spanish…had quite a chat, she was also exploring Andalusia, and had been living recently on the west coast of Mexico….I asked her where her home or base was, her response was, “I’m a nomad” 🙌 her next target was Guatemala, although she worked, as a legal advisor to a UK based housing association, but clearly remotely, very remotely! We discussed the advantages of travelling alone, which I was very fast discovering, and moreso travelling alone as a woman….interesting stuff….another one I envied!

In the afternoon I went for a short hike, above the cliffs into the Parque Natural, heading east….returned in almost darkness, forgot the sunset was 7 and not 8pm! Also in the same boat was a young Swede, Victor….barely 30….a kite surfing instructor, whose immediate ambition was to kite surf instruct around the World….why not! We went for eats together, and I tried the local delicacy, fresh Red Tuna… migrates, through the Straits…wowser, it was so good!

I left the following day, I loved Tarifa, but then juggled two options, Check out Gibraltar or a day trip to Tangiers….I decided if I visited Morocco, I need to do it properly over time….so decided on the former.

But I couldn’t get excited, why visit, a literal little England, when I’m exploring Andalusia? A one off…to be ticked off was the conclusion. And that’s all it will ever be, as expected, “Main Street” was as stereotypically English as possible, from Mothercare to Fish n Chips to Carling to English pubs to PG tips etc More interesting was getting the cable car to the top of The Rock, greeted immediately by the monkeys; but also great views. I walked down via some WW2 tunnels - reaching back to Main Street, I scampered directly back to Spain as quick as possible! Ticked off ✅ never to return!

Conversely my next destination was always high on my list, heading directly into the interior, towards the mountains with ever increasing spectacular scenery…Ronda here I come, now, I was very excited, I love my mountains 👍🥰