Tourist Sites

The day after our big trip to Africa we were still tired of Spain so we went to the UK for a little day trip. About an hour bus ride from Tarifa we arrived in a city that surronded a very large rock out on an island. The was the rock of Gilbraltor. So at the tip of southern Spain sits Gilbraltor which is home to about 30,000 people and is a UK territory. So here you can ride double-decker buses, drink in english pubs, and unfortunalty the currency is British pounds another way of saying EXTREMLY EXPENSIVE!!! This beautiful little piece of Britain is very famous for the hundreds of monkeys that live up at the top of the Upper Rock. When we arrived we found a little tour van that would show us everything we wanted to see so we took off up to the Upper Rock. First we stopped at the Pillars of Hercules. The Pillars of Hercules is the ancient name given to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. And in mythological times was believed to be the gateway to Hades. It was a foggy day so we could not see Africa but we got some great pictures, very surreal. Next we went St. Michaels Caves, the Cathedral Cave was long believed to be bottomless, probably giving birth to the story that Gibraltar was linked to Africa by a subterranean passage over 15 miles (24 Km) long under the Strait of Gibraltar. The cave consists of an Upper Hall with 5 connecting passages and rocks between 40ft (12.2m) and 150ft (45.7m) to a smaller hall. Beyond this, a series of narrow halls leads to a further succession of chambers, reaching depths of some 250ft (62.5m) below the entrance. Here we began to see some of the monkeys. They just hang around, swing onto cars, hunt for food, and mostly sit around and be cute. What is differnt about this place is there is no regulation of how the people or monkeys interact. I dont even think that someone works their regularly except to feed the monkeys. So you can touch them and play with them, just a note the older and the bigger ones are also the mean ones. Babies monkeys are really fun and sometimes they seem randomly on to people. So next stop was the Great Siege Tunnels, the labyrinth of tunnels inside the Rock of Gibraltar is arguably the most ingenious defense system ever devised. The tunnels were built during the Great Siege from July 1779 to February 1783. The Great Siege Tunnels, 8 square feet (2.4sq m)by 82 feet long (25m) were cut into the Rock by sheer hard work and guts. In just five weeks 18 men equipped with only simple hand tools and gunpowder, achieved this great task. Afterwards we we to the top of the rock to visit the Apes Den. This is where most monkeys can be found lazing around. They were really fun to vist and soo cute. We were up so high in the fog that looking over the edge you could only see white, good pictures soon! So at the end of the tour we were back down on the main street where we looked around at shops which were ridiculousy expensive and then went to a British pub for tea and scones, mom aren´t you proud!!! We went to Safeway so I could get my UK gossip magazines and we were off to Spain. Early nex morning we were off to our next stop, Marbella. This was just a small dot on the map and lonely planet said nothing about the city, but we had to stop somewhere because everywhere else was filled up due to Easter Week. Much to our surprise, Marbella has turned out to be one of the most beautiful cities we have been to. I am very surpised nothing was written about it but could be because it is a very popular resort town. The city is located in a amazingly beautiful valley full of greeness and surronded by sparkling blue waters. This area attracts money from all around the world and the houses here are spectacular as well as the many gorgeous golf resorts that populate the area. So when we arrived early in the morning almost everything was closed but we had a placed book because otherwise another Seville day could have happenend. We shelled out a bit more money than the last few placed and was well worth it. In Tarifa we had stayed in a boring plain room with nothing in it, but here was more like a hotel where everything is much more personal and clean! So this day we would not get our room until 12:30 so I updated the blog for a while and later we went exploring the beautiful coast of Marbella. This was a very relaxing day and did not do much but stroll and then off to sleep.

So this brings us up to April 12th. April 11th was a very important day, so Josh and I wish happy birthdays to two very important people. Happy birthday to Brenda Murphy (Josh´s mom) and happy birthday to Karl Murphy (my dad)!!!! Isnt that funny but in a really creepy way, no relation for your info. So anyways April 12th, Josh and I woke up and came to the conclusion we had had enough of Europe so we decided to go to Africa for the day. Tarifa is the gateway city of Spain to the Strait of Gilbraltor where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterraen. So just a 35minute ferry ride away we can head to Morroco, Africa. There was no way we could pass this trip up. For a while we planned on touring ourselves but for 53 euro with much included we decided it was a better deal to go with a group. So we headed over to the ferry terminal and went through the most relaxed security ever, something like airport terminal sercurity but with an old man asleep who was supposed to watch scans of the bags. We arrived in Tanger, not Tangier that is the english version, much to my liking. The boat was very fast and very wavy. Our lonely planet guidebook suggests the first thing to do when you arrive in Tanger is to leave. This is due to all the swindlers and street salesman that fill the city. This I was really excited for, I wanted to see all their little tricks and scams they would try and pull over on us. So we boarded the tour bus and began a tour of newer Tanger. We stopped for a little camel ride, you will see me posing with my camel he was very happy to be on camera.

So we got to see some of the nicest neighbourhoods in Tager which were gorgeous huge palm tree yards with mansions that included tons of rooms, all complete with metal window guards and gun carrying soilders for security. The downtown was very sketchy, people weaving in and out of traffic, stopping at vehicles to ask for money. There was no real rule for the road you kind of drive where ever there is room. There was some very nice architecture but most was run down. I really love arabic writing and the language is funny, lots of spit. The people you could see were very weary of us and watched carefully as we did for them. It was a very busy city full of tradition such as the men and women in their full length dress and somewhat modern though much behind compared to our standards. So we got our first taste of Morrocan salesmen went we got off the bus for our camel ride. Out of nowhere about 13 men with all sorts of junk mostly bracelets and cheap hats were in our face showing off their merchandise. And they really would not leave you alone. First time you said no, they showed you more, second no it was a lower price, thrid time it was more for the same price, fourth no it was what price do you want, fifth no it was even more for a lower price, sixth no it was what price do you want, and literally they would not take no for an answer even if you walked away they would follow. A few times I quickwalked around through the group to loose the men. Most important rule NEVER make eye contact with the salesmen, you cant imagine how fast they can get to you for some baggering, second NEVER look at the merchandise, in 0.2 seconds they zip right over if you even take a teeny glimpse out in their direction. Once they had gone through most people they disappeared from where ever they came from and we were off again. We went down to some older areas of town, where we had a spectacular view of the sea. We wandered through a bit of the maze they call Tanger. Every so often we would hear the prayer call to remind everyone to pray, just imagine an elderly voice not saying much just a droaning mumble for minutes at a time. Every so often men would appear with crappy stuff to sell. At one point we had a drum and cobra snake dance, very cool. But always remember nothing here is for free and the performers turn on those who do not tip. So again we were off and went to our Morrocan lunch which was definitly the best meal we have had since we were here in Europe. It was a five course lunch, with soup, kabobs, cous cous and chicken, and some deep-fried pastry cookie slathered in some liquid sweetness and to follow the best morrocan mint tea, delicious!!! Meanwhile we had a traditionial Morrocan band play for us during lunch. Again, always tip or the old sweet men become not so nice. The fun really began as we took a tour of the town centre a big bazarr. Here we saw what looked like men selling faucets and pipes, electric cable, and used painting supplies, but what it really is the men are offering the skills as tradesmen. You talk to them, figure out a price and take them home with you. During this time we were of course attacked by salesmen, you cannot imagine their persistance as well as how aggressive they were. We went through an open market where everything is sold very fresh and right in front of you. Then we went to an very upscale morrocan carpet store. The owner went over the difference of these very fine carpets compared to others and showed us tons of beautiful carpets. Downstairs was where all the heavy goods were sold, including jewlery, leather work etc. Here the salesmen were also persistant but once you said you were just looking they usually backed off for a while. Inside we were safe but just taking a look out the side door 30 men and more had lined up holding goods and yelling "Senora" to catch your attention. If you dare looked they went crazy showing off their stuff and yelling. So all of us tour group stayed inside and then we were off again to a pharmacy. Here we all had a little seminar on the natural spices they carried and the uses etc. Josh bought some whole ginseng which if boiled for five minutes should be the same as drinking red bull all day. I bought some mascara which looks very primitive to put on, but this would be the same stuff indian women use and they always have gorgeous eye lashes. Besides I lost mine so I had to buy some more. After we were off the the Continental hotel for a short break before we were off to the ferry. I found some beautiful pillow covers made in Casablanca, Morroco which I will use in my own first place!! Then we were off to the ferry, harrassed by more salesmen. I stopped to ask a price on some painted plates at a stand. The guy followed me after I said no for 15euro, then he offerd 2 for same price, then three for same price and finally turned around after he had followed for 1km or more. They really never give up. We sadly left on our ferry back to Spain. I really enjoyed our trip to Tanger, it was very exciting and the people live a completly different way. I think if you are in a large group as we were you would definitly be attacked more. I watched others who were only in pairs and they were left alone for the most part. So I only regret not staying for the longer trip.