A little more from Spain and some Africa

During the second week of our holiday we spent some time in Algeciras which is just across the bay from Gibraltar. Algeciras is a busy port with not much for the tourist but it was a convenient place to stay.We met up with friends and our menfolk spent their days on the beach at Tarifa watching the bird migration.
We ladies however spent a lovely day wandering round the narow streets and squares of Tarifa, browsing in shops, churches and gardens.
Tarifa is the southernmost point in Spain and therefore the closest point to Africa although we could not see it because of the haze. There is lots of moorish influence to the architecture in Tarifa and an exotic feel.

On our second day we did a day trip to Morocco. A fast ferry took us from Algeciras across to Cueta which is a tiny bit of Spain in Africa. Then a mini bus took us across the border into Morocco and to the town of Tetuan which I loved. We were taken round the medina, or old town which I found fascinating. The narrow alleyways were lined with vendors with  tiny shops behind them.

This is a Berber lady wearing her distinctive hat.

Red doors are to residential properties

                          green doors for commerce.

This bread oven was just visible from the street.

The threads on the shelves of this tiny shop are all silk - and there were several more shops just like this! No time to stop and shop though!

In the same area there were lots of shops like this one, making and sellng braids and belts.

Numerous tiny workrooms with one or two ancient sewing machines and their machinists - I did wonder where they had room to cut out what they were sewing.
Lots of shops selling finished garments, fabrics, scarves and other wonderful textiles.

We had a delicious traditional Moroccan lunch whilst being entertained by some roguish looking musicians in a very highly decorated room.

Even the ladies had this amazing ceiling!

After lunch we were taken to Tangier from where we would have been able to see Tarifa if it had not been for the haze!

There was a very heavy police presence and masses of red and green Moroccan flags flying everywhere. This we were told, was because the King was on a two day visit to the city.
The medina here had much wider streets and seemed much more commercial.

The coffee was expensive and we were constantly pestered by trinket vendors.
Tetuan I would love to visit again - Tangiers not!

From there it was back to Cueta and the return ferry to Algeciras. And the next day we were on our way home.

Lots of lovely memories and some fantastic inspiration from my pictures. I hope you have enjoyed seeing them.

Lin