Gibraltar
On entering the Straits there are a loads of Races (turbulent water) to avoid,
the swells increased
as we got nearer the "The Rock". After passing the Eastern side of Tarifa
the wind died down. While rounding Punta Carnero we had a glimpse of "The
Rock ", which gradually emerged into its glory. The entrance to Marina Bay was
straight forward.
The peculiar thing about this marina is that it is just next to the runway of the airport,
about 100 metres away. Landing in Gib and exploring for the first time
felt like almost being back into England ,slightly sunnier, but English
shops and the local radio giving us un update for the
M25... No doubt the place is booming, land is being
reclaimed, some areas look like a building site but behind the old town walls,
it is a charming place. Although being a duty free city the food prices
were exorbitant and everything else not much more expensive then UK prices.
As arranged we met Tomas and Maria in a corner of a street, while waiting for
them we went for a walk, and by pure luck they were passing by with a car,
looking lost. Even though we arrange to meet ,it was always unsure of where and
how, but we found them. First time for them on board a yacht... Following day we
all went up the mountain in the cable car to see the monkeys. That was a short
visit as my parents left the following day promising to spend more time and come
out sailing with us the next time , probably next year in some other
corner of a street.
Morocco
After five days we were getting bored of Gib, eager to see some different
culture and get away from little England. By recommendation we went over to
Smir,
10 miles south of Ceuta on the Moroccan coast. The distance was only 25 miles
from Gib, but what a difference! We were received with a warm welcome and loads
of smiles. There is not much near the marina, apart from a lovely sandy beach
and the royal residence of the king of Morocco. We hired Mohammed for the day
and he drove us to Chefchouen, 90 km from the Marina. The drive is very scenic
passing through mountains and little villages . Chefchouen is a modern working
town, but behind the Medina walls another world emerged. It was almost like
going back 300 years on time. Tiny warehouses that would only fit couple of
people in,
weaving carpets, old style carpentry workshops, where they were carving wood by
hand, little bakeries where the bread was baked in big clay ovens with charcoal.
We hired a guide (6 Euros) to show us around while telling the history of Chefchouen. He told us that the population is mainly Jews, Andalucians and Berbers.
Each one of them has a quarter and they decorate their front doors with different
colours.
Most of the houses are painted in blue and pastel colors, the paint being
extracted from indigo, which keeps mosquitoes and flies away. We were shown into
a carpet shop by our guide, even though we didn't want to buy, the shop had no
electricity, so they turned the gas lamp on as we entered. Graham came out with a
blanket after seeing too many carpets "everyone different ,see", we
were served a nice
mint tea while bargaining. We were then shown to a spice seller, then a restaurant
where we
ate some typical Moroccan food. It was two days for the beginning of the Ramadan and the whole
country was getting ready for the big event. Also the King of Morocco was coming
for a visit around the area so national flags were being hang up in the streets
and it was a bit of a celebration atmosphere in the air.
We only spend two days but felt that the country deserved to be better
explored the next time. From Smir we headed to Estepona, a holiday resort full
of Brits and Irish just to get the gas bottles filled up.
By now both wanted a few days rest so we anchored at La Linea, again next to
the runway but from the western side. After almost two months we saw Kyrie
again, Graham felt like coming home, again among cruisers at last! The four days
spend at the anchorage were like living in a floating village, popping over for
drinks to a different boat every night. Dinghies are not allowed to be left
on the only ramp available , which are used by fisherman. Who ever wanted to
go ashore just had to ask for a lift from another boat. Again we got loads of
tips from Noel and Natalie, we even had a tour around Kyrie, Judit loved the
boat. The story of Kyrie is very interesting: Noel built it over years ,
she was launched in 1980 and then he lost her due to a divorce. Then bought it
back after 16 years and now Kyrie is completing its circumnavigation around the
world and after 4 years now they are heading back to New Zealand. We said goodbye to our friends certain that we will meet them again
very soon.
