From Europe to Africa

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Geo: 35.7728, -5.8235

It was 8am when we left our hotel in Granada and set out for the ferry to take us over to Morocco. Another clear day with a promise of warmth in the air. We drove south through a rich agricultural landscape and then we began to climb up into the mountains.We stopped at a roadside service place for a break and then onwards and upwards. We were heading for Ronda where we were to have lunch. As we drove we found we were but one of a number of tourist buses all seemingly heading for the same destination. Poor Lucy was most disconcerted. She couldn't understand why there were so many, especially this early in the season.

When we arrived into Ronda the consternation grew as the parking area for the buses was full and there seemed to be an endless stream of tour groups piling out.We disembarked and followed Lucy along the narrow streets. We stopped at a church dedicated to the foundress of the Carmelite order and then continued to the Tourist Information centre which was located next to the Bull ring. This was a round white-washed structure with a statue of El Toro at the front.We were given maps and instructions from Lucy as to length of stay and time to meet to return to the bus.
Ronda is situated on a high mountain and straddles a very deep gorge. We walked with Lucy to the edge of the ravine, along Ernest Hemingway Street. This was a favourite spot of his.We looked down into the deep chasm presenting a magnificent vista across the valley far below. We then came up to the bridge that spans this gorge and to a square surrounded by cafes and shops. Here Lucy left us with two hours to wander on our own through the old town and get some lunch.
The narrow streets of the old town are delightful to explore and we eagerly strolled along observing the number of others doing the same.

We walked along the narrow streets of the old town admiring the
small shops and the whitewashed buildings. Some tourists went past us in a horse-drawn
carriage and there was only just enough room. We came into a lovely square
where there was a church in a Spanish style with a tower on one corner. Opposite
the church was an open lawned space with a central statue. On the other side of the square a statue of the foundressof the Carmelites and another small church was dedicated to her. We left by another exit and were soon at Don Bosco's house. As we married in St John Bosco's Church it was fitting to take a photo of his home. We then found a beautiful
old church.,Our Lady of peace. .Inside, the altar was elaborate and highly decorated.We put a small donation in the box and and an old man gave us a holy picture. From there we found
our way to the edge of the ravine and the Plaza Alhambra.We peered over the edge,it was a long way down. In the middle of the square was a statute of John Bosco. We stopped there for a drink and decided to stop for lunch. Fletcher ordered a Spanish omelette while I had scrambled eggs with wild asparagus. Both were tasty and filling. We accompanied that with a local beer.

After lunch it was time to return and we met the group and walked back to the bus.There were still heaps of tour groups around and some particularly pushy Koreans. We continued our journey across the mountains and emerged on the other side at the Costa Del Sol. As Lucy pointed out much of the land and housing here is owned by either British or German retirees who have established a huge community in this area. The houses climbing up the hillsides
were huge and expensive and the place was packed. Not sure that I would want to
spend time there.

We continued on past Algeciras and could just see the Rock of Gibraltar on our left. It was a misty day and we could not see the top of it. Algeciras is where the large transport ferries
cross over to Morocco. We were going to the next port, Tarifa, to catch a
smaller catamaran for our crossing to Tangier. Once at the port Lucy collected
our boarding passes and we went through Spanish Customs. We had a short wait for the boarding and the pushy Koreans were jostling for first place in the queue. We boarded and left our luggage on the lower deck while we climbed up to the passenger lounge. We then had to queue for another thirty minutes to get through Moroccan customs on the ship. The
ferry left at 5pm and due to a time zone change we arrived at 5pm local time
after an hour's crossing. We met our guide, Khareem at the terminal after we
had trundled our luggage up a steep ramp and through customs and he first took
us to a bank to change money and thence to the bus. Tangier was not what I
expected at all. The area through which we drove to our hotel was very modern
and as we drove along the seafront, the beach was clean and sandy.

At our hotel, the Ramada Encore, we had some time to rest
after what had been a long day of driving and then we reassembled for a drink
and dinner. This was included and we had it in the dining room of the hotel. We
had a "hot" salad, Khareem's explanation for a plate of vegetables and then fish
followed by cake. OK but nothing special. We did celebrate Heather's birthday
with a cake and candles though. A nightcap and then a welcome journey to our
room for a good night's sleep.

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