Tarîfa û Cadiz

Weşandin: 29.12.2017

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We are heading towards Malaga. Our children will land at the airport at 3:30 PM. But now, the front right tire is losing air quickly. We stop at the next rest area and discover the cut in the tire - a pinchazo! But our insurance in Switzerland arranges the tow truck service. The grua takes us and our car to a nearby car workshop near the airport. Although our Qasqai has to sleep here until Tuesday, as there are no suitable spare tires in stock and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. But the rental car and the taxi are already organized. And so the journey to Tarifa with Laura, Tobias, and Tabea can continue almost as planned.

On the terrace of Hotel Kook in Tarifa.

This view!!!!

Tarifa is located in the province of Cadiz in Andalusia and is the southernmost city on the European mainland at the narrowest point of the Strait of Gibraltar. It is considered one of the 'world capitals' for wind and kite surfers. The distance to Morocco, and thus the African continent, is only 14 km here. Archaeological findings suggest that Tarifa, like Cadiz, was founded by the Phoenicians at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. It is confirmed that it was populated by the Romans from the 1st century BC. Near the village of Bolonia, there is one of the best-preserved Roman settlements in Spain. The old town of Tarifa with its narrow winding streets and whitewashed houses dates back to the time of Moorish Spain, Al-Andalus. We experience two very lively, windy days in this special village. On Christmas Eve, the streets are full of people. Old and young people meet in the bars, drink, sing, and laugh - wonderful! ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekt1vvuCjRo )

On December 25, we continue towards Cadiz. We make a detour to the dune of Bolonia. At the western end of the sandy beach of Bolonia is the dune of Bolonia, which has been protected as a natural monument since 2001 due to its ecological importance. The dune, more than 30 m high and 200 m wide, stands out from a wide dune system. The dune complex is one of the few in Andalusia that continues to move inland, driven by the Levante wind, which here hits the end of the bay head-on. The dune penetrates a pine forest. The continuous progress of the sand inevitably leads to the death of the pines, which are buried in the process.

Right now, the rain stops and the sun is shining. Sand, sea, and pines reveal their most beautiful side.

In Cadiz, the 'children' and we each have a small apartment in the old town. From experience, we know that it is difficult to find your way around the narrow, winding streets. Again and again, we discover new cozy places until we stand in front of the impressive cathedral, which dominates the cityscape from afar.

The fact that the city is surrounded by the sea is also reflected on the menu and at the market.

Urta (red snapper) - freshly and deliciously prepared.

On December 28, we meet the Aragon family in Chiclana de la Frontera. They are enjoying the holidays here in their homeland; throughout the year, they live in Homberg near Thun. Now they show us kilometers of beaches and an abandoned fishing village. We enjoy a delicious meal straight from the sea, lots of sun, and cheerful, friendly people with a beautiful language.

Chiclana is a city with more than 80,000 inhabitants. Its long history is characterized by the sea, salt, and wine. We noticed the salt pans on the way here. In a museum, it is explained how the traditional salt companies, which are now part of the Bay of Cadiz Natural Park, market the Sal Marina Virgen and Flor de Sal. In the same museum, we learn interesting facts about the wines and fortified wines of this region. In a winery, we can taste the delicious products of the Chiclana cellars.

Something that probably doesn't exist anywhere else in the world is the Augustinian Sisters' monastery in the center of Chiclana. The nuns never show their faces. Therefore, you buy the fine almond cakes they bake at a counter with a wooden revolving door.