Tarifa, Spain and Tangier, Morocco, two very different places separated by a few miles of ocean.

If you are into wind sports then Tarifa Spain will be on your bucket list of places to see. The beach is quite long and wide making it an ideal Kitesurfing spot. As the wind came up, numerous kiters were ready to take advantage even though it was a bit cool and blustery.

While walking through Tarifa town, we happened upon a large church. We stuck our heads inside for a quick peak and realized that there was a wedding in process. Later, that same wedding party would end-up at our hotel for the reception. That night, while eating our dinner poolside at the hotel, the wedding reception was going full-on in the hotel gardens nearby, until it started pouring rain! With the 150 wedding guests running for the hotel restaurant, Terri and I were running for our bungalow. The rain interruption didn’t seem to bother the reception, they went long into the night.

The next morning we woke early to drive to the port to get our ferry to Tangier, Morocco. We were excited to be in a new country and on a new continent for us. The rain had cleared out and left the skies really clear, from the port we could see Africa, well, North Africa.

We had hired a guide for Tangier and he met us at the Tangier port. His name was Mohammed, he was born and raised in Tangier, he was a Berber, a native tribe of North Africa. It seemed most all of the locals in Tangier were Berber and most knew Mohammed. He spoke Berber to them, a language that isn’t, written, taught nor read but learned casually at home and socially.

We started inside the Kasbah with Mohammed telling us the history of Tangier and Morocco as we walked through alleys and street markets. I had a tough time paying attention as there was so much going on – the sounds, the aromas, the energy, it was totally distracting. It was very reminiscent of areas in Asia.

Terri, being the natural snake charmer that she is, had worked-up quite an appetite so it was time for lunch.

After lunch we went shopping. Terri and I were hoping to find an item for the house that would remind us of our trip here but despite Mohammed’s many introductions to vendors, nothing jumped out at us.😔. The only things we purchased were teas and spices, many of which are supposed to have miraculous curative properties.😂🤑 It was surprising how many of the vendors looked like they could be brothers of our guide, Mohammed.😉

We toured a lot of the areas in and around Tangier, the King’s office & palace , the Saudi Royal Families summer homes, the beaches and the nicest high end residential area called “California,” Which looked remarkably like Southern California.

Then it was time for what Terri was excited about most – a camel ride on the beach. 🐪 🐫 one hump or two?

Mohammed got us back to the ferry on time and we made it back to Tarifa safe and sound. The worst part of the day was when I couldn’t get the parking kiosk to take my credit card. With cars stacking up behind me and closed gate in front of me, I pushed the help button and someone emerged from an office and motioned for us to come inside. I sent Terri, at this point there were numerous impatient drivers behind me when the gate suddenly lifts and Terri runs and gets in the car. In my nervous haste, I turn the wrong direction, crap. But Terri has google maps coming up…..I finally get turned back around leaving plenty of time for the impatient locals to clear the road. All is well until the main roundabout, they are everywhere here, and I take the wrong turn again, double-crap! We were now on the highway headed in the wrong direction, it was pitch dark and google was telling me to make u-turns at 70 kilometers an hour!?!

I finally see a wide spot off the highway, veering across the lane to just a couple on honking locals, I find a dirt road to turn around. Now headed in the right direction, blood pressure peaking, we have wasted only 15 minutes or so, it seemed so much longer.

We made it back to our hotel, quieter now without the wedding party. The bartender allowed us to eat our now cold street gyros, at the bar while we regaled him with our adventures and misadventures.

Side note: when I first suggested that we go to North Africa, Terri’s response was, “absolutely not!” It took a while but she eventually warmed to the idea especially if we hired a guide. I don’t think a smile left her face all day, well, until the parking kiosk fiasco.