pinkbirdflies

Early morning Muslim call to prayer echoing across the valley, hill top mosque, almond trees, spectacular views of houses clinging to a hillside in various shades of blue and white with terracotta roofs, gushing mountain stream, narrow alleyways, men and women in traditional clothing, womens heads covered with scarves, blue and more blue, chickens, donkeys, tiny packed shops,  delicious tagine with prunes,almonds and beef, more mint tea, rugs and carpets, dried figs and dates, henna tattoos…

Orientation walk around the city which is famous for its sherry production. Visited a sherry Bodega (winery) which I thought was boring until I tasted the actual sherry…absolutely beautiful…I’m guessing absolutely nothing like the McWilliams flagon sherry at home!??! Fortified, we took a bus through mountainous countryside to the busy, industrial port city of Algiceras where we could see the Rock of Gibraltar in the distance. Changed buses to arrive at the ferry port town of Tarifa and caught a large high speed passenger ferry for a rough crossing of the Gibraltar Straight to land in AFRICA at Tangier, Morrocco…very exciting. Complete change of culture immediately noticeable…busy, poor, third world, dirty  but so different and fascinating. 3 hour drive through mountainous countryside in a private transfer van. The agriculture is not mechanised, small plots and all worked manually however huge dams being built on the river. A long, winding journey finally led us into Chefchaouen a beautiful town spread across the mountainside with predominantly blue coloured houses. it was freezing cold and rainy but very exciting to be in such an unusual and fascinating culture so very different to our own. The hotel is just lovely and very morroccan in style. My room is set up high overlooking the whole town so I scored very well except for the “tepid” hot water. Wonderful morroccan feast of breads, salads, olives, vegetables, tagine, meat skewers and the sensational mint tea….sooo sweet!

Early departure from Olhao on a bus to Seville in Spain. Passed through fertile countryside with citrus orchards. Arrived in Seville and stored our bags at the train station to take a whirlwind tour of the older part of the city. First stop at the oldest tapas bar with so much character…spinach, chickpeas and omlette washed down with Cruzcampo beer. Seville was quite lovely but cold and windy weather has struck. Flamenco dresses in the windows, shoes shoes shoes and streets lined with seville orange trees. Train to Jerez so a long travelling day! Checked into nice hotel and straight to dinner which was one of the nicest meals I have had so far…fillet of beef with cooked foie gras and vegetables in a sensational sauce. Finally got to bed…

Explored Coimbra which is a University town and evidenced by students getting around in Academic gowns and holding some sorts of rites of passage on the streets. The old town area is filled with rustic buildings and the characteristic Azulejos, Portuguese tiling, which is very beautiful. So too are souvenirs and depictions of the Portuguese “Le Coq du Bonheur” or the rooster of luck and happiness. Rooster was also on the menu last night! Gorgeous weather and finally warm enough for short sleeves.  

Finally have my luggage issues sorted and feeling so much happier!! “Little Olive” was purchased (on special!!) in Sol Madrid and is my new travelling companion. Dinner last night with Mal and Di from Hamilton in Victoria. Had drinks in the Mayoral Square which was bustling with people and dinner at a restaurant/bar with a view across the beautifully lit square. Wandered the streets this morning and then we had a private bus transfer to Coimbra in Portugal. Passed through a lot of spanish countryside, flat with wheat fields. Then, into granite country with boulders and then into river valleys with more vegetation and smaller plots of cultivation. Architecture seems to be white houses with red tiled roofs. Passed a lot of gum trees, some of which looked loke plantations. had our “orientation’ and it is certainly a character filled place. All dined together at the local Portuguese grill. Does anyone remember Mateus Rose??