In Seville we rented a car for two days to visit other places of interest in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Fortunately the roads in Andalucia were good and getting around the region was easy. There was a lot of driving involved over the two days, but fortunately David was able to share some of the driving with Greg.
Cadiz
On our first day trip from Seville we decided to drive 123 kilometres to Cadiz, on the west coast of Andalucia (south western Spain). Cadiz is one of the eight homonymous provinces making up the autonomous community of Andalucia. Cadiz is a large city and port, and the principle home port of the Spanish Navy. Cadiz lies on a narrow spit of land surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, so our plan was to drive to Cadiz, park the car and then walk all along the waterfront. However, when we arrived in Cadiz at around 10 am, there was not a single available parking spot along the waterfront. After driving around with no luck finding a parking space, we decided to continue our journey south along the coast. Just as we were leaving the city of Cadiz, we found an open public parking lot overlooking a huge stretch of beach, so we parked here for about 1/2 hour and took a walk along the beach.
Vejer de la Frontera
After our short visit to Cadiz we continued in a southerly direction, aiming to get back to the coast. Along the way we came across the beautiful hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera. This town in the province of Cadiz, is located 650 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The town itself is beautiful with white-washed houses and winding cobble streets. In some parts of the town, the streets were so narrow that the parking sensors of the car kept going off. It didn't help that we had a big car, but fortunately David was able to navigate us through the narrow streets without incident.
Wind Turbines
Spain has become a wind-energy powerhouse. Spanish turbine manufacturers and wind-farm operators have become the leaders in the global wind-power market. The geographic location of Andalucia makes it an ideal area for generating renewable energy. That said, it was not surprising to see many wind turbines in this region and a few solar energy devices.
Spain has become a wind-energy powerhouse. Spanish turbine manufacturers and wind-farm operators have become the leaders in the global wind-power market. The geographic location of Andalucia makes it an ideal area for generating renewable energy. That said, it was not surprising to see many wind turbines in this region and a few solar energy devices.
Valdevaqueros Beach
Some of Spain's best surfing spots can be found between Cadiz and Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz. One of these popular spots is Valdevaqueros Beach. We stopped here for a short break and to watch some of the surfers in action.
Tarifa
Staying in the province of Cadiz, our next stop was at a viewing spot in Tarifa. Tarifa is on the southernmost coast of Spain, with the Straits of Gibraltar separating Spain from Africa. It is 14 kilometres from Tarifa to the coast of North Africa and a 35 minute ferry ride from Tarifa to Tangier in Morocco. It was amazing because we could actually see Africa from Spain !
Staying in the province of Cadiz, our next stop was at a viewing spot in Tarifa. Tarifa is on the southernmost coast of Spain, with the Straits of Gibraltar separating Spain from Africa. It is 14 kilometres from Tarifa to the coast of North Africa and a 35 minute ferry ride from Tarifa to Tangier in Morocco. It was amazing because we could actually see Africa from Spain !
Gibraltar
After we left Tarifa, we headed in a north-easterly direction to Gibraltar, to see the famous Rock of Gibraltar (Gibraltar is about 50 kilometres from Tarifa). Gibraltar is situated on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula and it is a British overseas territory.
During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704, a Anglo-Dutch army captured Gibraltar from Spain and as a result Gibraltar was subsequently ceded to Britain. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a point of contention between Spain and Britain, as Spain asserts a claim to this territory. While Gibraltar's economy was previous driven by the British military, today the economy centres around financial services, Internet gaming, shipping and tourism.
During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704, a Anglo-Dutch army captured Gibraltar from Spain and as a result Gibraltar was subsequently ceded to Britain. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a point of contention between Spain and Britain, as Spain asserts a claim to this territory. While Gibraltar's economy was previous driven by the British military, today the economy centres around financial services, Internet gaming, shipping and tourism.
As we approached Gibraltar, we could see the famous rock from a distance and it was impressive. We stopped on the Andalucia side to take photos of the rock, while we discussed whether or not to actually go to Gibraltar We were debating whether or not to go, as some in the group did not have visas. Cathy, Mandy and Greg travel on South African passports and thus required a UK visa to enter, which they did not have. With this in mind, Cathy, Mandy and Greg offered to stay in La Linea (the town on the Spanish side of the border), while he rest of us went to Gibraltar (Canadian passport holders do not require visas to enter the UK or a UK territory for that matter). David, Veronica, Elaine and I walked a short distance to the border crossing and easily crossed into Gibraltar. In fact we were surprised by the lack of border control, as our passports were not even checked by an immigration official.
Once across the border, we caught the bus to Casemates Square, named after the military barracks located at the north of the square. To get to Casemates Square and the city centre, the bus had to cross the airport's runway (strange set-up). Casemates Square was formerly the site of public executions, but today this lively square, surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops has become the hub of social activities in Gibraltar. Casemates Square reminded us a lot of High Street in London (definitely no Spanish feel to it!). The one thing that was very evident is that Gibraltar is a British territory, because we saw many Union Jacks attached to the buildings and apartments. After walking around Casemates Square, we caught the bus back to the border crossing and crossed the border easily into Spain (we didn't want to stay too long in Gibraltar, as Cathy, Mandy and Greg were waiting for us). Although it was a very short visit to Gibraltar, we are glad that we went.
Once across the border, we caught the bus to Casemates Square, named after the military barracks located at the north of the square. To get to Casemates Square and the city centre, the bus had to cross the airport's runway (strange set-up). Casemates Square was formerly the site of public executions, but today this lively square, surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops has become the hub of social activities in Gibraltar. Casemates Square reminded us a lot of High Street in London (definitely no Spanish feel to it!). The one thing that was very evident is that Gibraltar is a British territory, because we saw many Union Jacks attached to the buildings and apartments. After walking around Casemates Square, we caught the bus back to the border crossing and crossed the border easily into Spain (we didn't want to stay too long in Gibraltar, as Cathy, Mandy and Greg were waiting for us). Although it was a very short visit to Gibraltar, we are glad that we went.
Countryside from Gibraltar to Ronda
From Gibraltar we travelled 115 kilometres north and inland to the town of Ronda. To get to Ronda we had to travel through some mountain passes with winding roads. We stopped at some of the lookout points and the views looking back towards to ocean were beautiful!
Ronda
Ronda is a city in the province of Malaga. Like Seville and Cadiz, Malaga is one of the eight homonymous provinces making up the autonomous community of Andalucia. Ronda is situated in a mountanous area, 2461 feet above sea level. The Guadalevin River runs through the city dividing it in two. The Guadalevin River has over the hundreds of years, carved out the steep 340 feet deep El Tajo Canyon upon which the city is perched. With the El Tajo Canyon running though the city, it is no wonder that the city has three bridges. The tallest and most famous of these bridges being the Puente Nuevo Bridge.
After parking the rental car, we walked to the Puente Nuevo bridge and along the way passed the Plaza de Toras de Ronda, the oldest bullring in Spain. This is where 3 generations of the Romero family established modern bullfighting in Ronda.
After a short walk through the city, we reached the Maria Auxiliadora Plaza and the Puente Nuevo bridge.
Ronda is a city in the province of Malaga. Like Seville and Cadiz, Malaga is one of the eight homonymous provinces making up the autonomous community of Andalucia. Ronda is situated in a mountanous area, 2461 feet above sea level. The Guadalevin River runs through the city dividing it in two. The Guadalevin River has over the hundreds of years, carved out the steep 340 feet deep El Tajo Canyon upon which the city is perched. With the El Tajo Canyon running though the city, it is no wonder that the city has three bridges. The tallest and most famous of these bridges being the Puente Nuevo Bridge.
After parking the rental car, we walked to the Puente Nuevo bridge and along the way passed the Plaza de Toras de Ronda, the oldest bullring in Spain. This is where 3 generations of the Romero family established modern bullfighting in Ronda.
After a short walk through the city, we reached the Maria Auxiliadora Plaza and the Puente Nuevo bridge.
The Puente Nuevo Bridge transverses the El Tajo Canyon and stands 390 feet above the canyon floor. Construction of this bridge began in 1751 and it took 42 year to complete. It is really a very impressive bridge.
The view from the Puente Nuevo bridge of the El Tajo Canyon and surrounding area is beautiful.
Maria Auxiliadora Festival
When we arrived in Ronda we noticed quite a few young girls in white dresses walking in the streets. These dresses resembled the ones worn to First Holy Communion ceremonies, so we just assumed that these little girls were going to receive their First Holy communion. Little did we know that they were dressed-up to take part in an event later that afternoon and that we would be in for a big treat. As the afternoon went by, we noticed police in the Maria Auxiliadora Square (the square adjacent to the Puente Nuevo bridge), so we got Elaine to go and ask what was going on. The policeman informed her that there was a procession coming through the city later that afternoon. It turned out that we happen to be in Ronda on the day that The Procession of the Virgin Maria Auxiliadora was taking place.
We decided to stay a little longer in Ronda to watch the procession and we are so glad we did. The procession started at one of the churches and made its way through the streets of Ronda, across the Puente Nuevo bridge (where we were standing), to the Maria Auxiliadora Square. Once the procession started, people started coming from all directions and it got really busy. The procession was amazing and it was wonderful to see the participants in their beautiful outfits. The statue of Maria Auxiliadora was impressive and as it was carried along, people followed it to the Maria Auxiliadora Square. This square that was previously quiet when we arrived, was crowded with people when we left. Although we left later than originally planned and had a fairly long drive back to Seville (128 kilometres), we had a wonderful experience in Ronda and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Spain.
We decided to stay a little longer in Ronda to watch the procession and we are so glad we did. The procession started at one of the churches and made its way through the streets of Ronda, across the Puente Nuevo bridge (where we were standing), to the Maria Auxiliadora Square. Once the procession started, people started coming from all directions and it got really busy. The procession was amazing and it was wonderful to see the participants in their beautiful outfits. The statue of Maria Auxiliadora was impressive and as it was carried along, people followed it to the Maria Auxiliadora Square. This square that was previously quiet when we arrived, was crowded with people when we left. Although we left later than originally planned and had a fairly long drive back to Seville (128 kilometres), we had a wonderful experience in Ronda and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Spain.
No comments:
Post a Comment