After a wondeful stay in Riviera del Sol we had an open day and nothing planned before heading to Granada. So we asked our hosts in Riviera and they recomended driving the coast towards Gibralter then up the west coast to Cadiz and ending up in Jerez (the home of sherry).
We headed out in the afternoon and drove the coast until we were hungry. *This happens very often, and in fact we didnt stop when hungry, we stopped after about an hour. We also passed Sotogrande, where Lechuza is playinng in August. We came across the beach town of Tarifa. You can take a hydrofoil and it takes 35 minutes to get to Tangiers! we wished we had more than a day to spare! Little did we know this is the windiest beach in the world and home to WindSurfing captiol of the world too! The main stretch of the town was littered was surf shops, surfing schools, and all the big name sponsored stores in surfing. Tons of hipster surf bums on skateboards and painted VW bugs. Very Endless Summer. We found a restaurant on the beach and enjoyed some local fish. Caitlin had a fried fish plate and Thomas had the tuna steak. This was easily the biggest piece of tuna I had ever seen and grilled just like a ribeye! Next to us at lunch we met the owner of the restaurant that said most places in the town were closed today for the celebration of the Fishing Virgin. We both just said ok, and had no clue what she was talking about and thought the spanish translation was wrong? ? ? After lunch we hit the road again in direction of Cadiz.
We pulled into the pennisula of Cadiz and followed the signs to the tourist info. We got lost for about 30 minutes or so. The streets of Cadiz are jammed with cars parked on each side and then the old town streets are barely wide enough for a car. We made our way around a couple round abouts and found the tourist station. I dropped Caitlin off and said I would drive around the corner and pick her up. I then proceeded to go down one of the streets in the old part of Cadiz and got lost and stuck. After two old women pointed me in the right direction I made my way back and swooped up Caitlin. At this point I was done with Cadiz! The information booth woman directed Caitlin to the town of Rota. Across the bay from Cadiz. So we headed there.
We arrived in Rota and drove through a quaint little strip of bars and restaraunts on our way to the beach. We parked the car and retreated to the sand for a siesta. We found out that on the bay in the town of Rota is one of the three USA naval station in Spain. We could see it from the beach. The beach was very windy as well but it didn't stop Cait from burrying in a jacket and taking a nap. I sat and took some pictures while sand blew in my face every few minutes. It was crazy, but we weren't the only ones out on the beach. After a little while I heard a roar of a crowd and a band play a song. I looked around and couldn't see anything. When Cait woke up we walked in the direction of the noise.
Around the inlet from where we were laying we found the entire town dressed in their Sunday best starring into the harbor. Everyone was just gathered around waiting for something. What? We didn't know, but everyone was here so we waited too. After about 20 minutes we saw the crowd gather and a little fishing boat came coasting the harbor with a giant statue of the Virgin Mary on board. We both looked at each other and said "the fishing virgin"! The statue was carried off the boat by men in white with back harnesses, up the loading ramp, to a massive float. Then the crowd made an isle as the float was carried from the warf towards the middle of the town. A marching band played a melody and the entire town gathered and took pictures as the procession commenced.
We followed the procession for a few blocks with the crowd.
Once we came to a plaza, more people were there! The Spanish stay up late, but tonight was nuts. The processional didn't start til it got dark at 10, and families were still hopping until 1am! Like the whole family, and tons of little kids playing futbol in the streets and running around while their parents enjoy some tapas.
That was our night after that. Tapas. We stopped many times at different bars for a small drink and plate of food to share. The first stop was chicken and french fries... don't worry it gets better... Place two included pork loin with a sherry sauce, olives and stuffed mushrooms. but the best little place had steamed mussels, pan con tomate and fried peppers. A whole plate of fried green small peppers. It was absolutely amazing.
It was 1 before we set off to Jerez.
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