Kayaking in the Mediterranean

We headed out early this Saturday for a fun filled day of kayaking and sight seeing in Tarifa, Spain. We were up so early, we even beat the sun out of bed! but it was great to see the beautiful sunrise as we were getting on the road.

Brad and I had to ride together in a two man kayak which tested our ability to work together. It went alright, but I think we will be requesting single man kayaks next time. When it comes to sports I like to flounder on my own!

We paddled out into the bay and around the point out into the Straight of Gibraltar. We pulled into a little cove for a snack and short break. I of course snapped a few quick pictures of the idealistic scenery.

Once we were back at the beach we took a little time to soak up the sun and take in the view. You know that your living the dream when your little weekend kayak trip has the Rock of Gibraltar as a back drop.

The drive to and from the kayak site was as different as night and day from the morning to the afternoon. The morning mist and clouds were all but gone when by the drive back across the hills.

After the paddle we headed back toward Rota, stopping into the little surf town of Tarifa for lunch and little sight seeing. Santa Catalina, the castle-like building near Playa Chica( Chica Beach), was built in 1929 as a weather center. During the Spanish Civil War it was taken over by Franco for ammunition storage and the bunkers below were built.

Before taking a stroll down by the beach we stopped in and had a little Chino, it was probably the best Chinese food I have had in quite some time!

With full bellies and a little time to kill we took a stroll down by the beach. The views were amazing! and we found a fun little outdoor gym right down on the board walk. I think I would definitely be able to enjoy a work out with this kind of scenery.

Since moving to Europe, I have developed a new appreciation for graffiti. Its hard not to, since its about as common as breathing. I just love its color, contrast, and even sometimes its message.

Tarifa, is famous for attracting kite surfers from all over Spain. This sculpture down on the board walk shows all the names they have given to winds, common jargon to the avid kite surfer.

Great weather, great food, and as always great company. Just another weekend for the record books.

Labor Day Weekend!

The first destination of our Labor Day weekend get away was Ronda, a striking combination of new and old straddling the grand fissure El Tajo gorge. We walked through the out skirts of El Mercadillo, which is the new side of town on the north side of the gorge. This town was started when taxation drove out most of the residents of La Ciudad(The city) at the end of the 13th century, so clearly the Spanish definition of new and old differ slightly from the American interpretation.

While winding our way through town we saw the festivities set up for Feria de Pedro Romero. This is a two week long party that is help in remembrance of the legendary bull fighter Pedro Romero. Ronda is arguably the birthplace of bull fighting in Spain, or so the Rondan's like to boast.
We arrived at the Puente Nuevo (new bridge) which spans the impressive gap between La Ciudad, and La Mercadillo. The views were equally impressive from both sides of the bridge. This bridge is definitely the star of sites to see in Ronda.
After enjoying a nice lunch, and buying a few little treasures we were on the road to our next destination...Málaga.

We arrived in the late afternoon, just in time for a traditional siesta! After that, refreshed and revived we headed out to explore the city and find a nice place for dinner. We were successful in both our endeavors. I made it my yummy mission to try the gazpacho (a traditional Spanish cold tomato soup) at every place we ate, it was a very successful mission!

The next day we wondered some more through the city, discovering all the subtle beauties in the fine wood work, outdoor sculptures, and quaint shops.
As is almost always the case here in Spain, and in Europe in general, the architecture was not to be over looked. The immense Cathedral of Málaga was over two hundred years in the making, and was still never completed. The south tower remains unfinished giving this edifice its nick name of "La Manquita" or "the one-armed lady".
The Alcazaba, was the 11th century Muslim Governors palace-fortress. It is built like a fortress with terraced view points, and sprawling layout, but the intricate details of its interior architecture display its role as a palace. There is a internal water flowing systems that feeds many fountains and supplies water to the beautiful gardens scattered through out the compound.
Out front they have unearthed a small Roman theater, only increasing the depth and intricacy of this ancient cities past.
We just couldn't get enough of the striking lines of the Moorish arch way, they managed to make such simple framework, intensely interesting and beautiful.
The long trek through the grounds of the Alcazaba in the never ending Spanish summer heat, left us ready for something a little cooler, so we ventured into Museo Picasso where no cameras were allowed but where the art and the air conditioning were plentiful! While for the most part pleasing to the eye, Picasso's work can be quite mentally exhausting, so once we pondered on every last piece of priceless art, we opted for a nice quiet lunch to ease our aching feet and heads!

Being big lovers of photographing nature, we thought a trip to the botanical gardens couldn't be missed!
The plants were plenty and the breeze was high as we meandered through the twisted maze of the gardens interior. Brad snapped pictures until he could snap no more. We took his full data card as a sign to head back to the hotel for a much desired siesta.

I got dressed up for our last dinner out in Málaga, and after a half a bottle of wine I was feeling pretty good.

We headed home the next morning, and after a stop by the Viveros (or nursery) we got to work hanging the treasures we had found in Ronda. The hanging plant pot is a very common decoration for the outside of the house here in Spain, or at least here in little America's version of Spain, base housing.


After all was said and done this weekend was all that we could have hoped for, restful, fun, and productive!