An excerpt on my new article about last fall's trip to Spain, Morocco, and Gibraltar:


View of Rock of Gibraltar from SpainAfter a relaxing two days in Tarifa, (well mostly relaxing, with the exception of my day trip to Tangier), I had one last day and night before an early morning flight out of Málaga. All along I had really been hoping to make it to Gibraltar, but I wasn't sure how it would work out. But of course as so often happens in travel, everything fell into place perfectly for me to make the run over into Gibraltar on my way out.

I woke up early and caught one of the first buses out of Tarifa. I am writing this a while after the trip, if I recall I think I took the wrong bus. The idea was to catch a bus going direct to La Linea de la Concepcion, but I'm pretty sure I took one going to Algeciras. But from there it was a piece of cake to get to La Linea. In Tarifa there was some confusion, because it is so small, and there is not a real bus station, so there is no one to ask for information. But it turned out to be still only a few euros for the entire trip, and maybe 45 minutes or so. La Línea de la Concepción is the small town that borders Gibraltar, so it has to be your jumping off point before the border crossing. If you are coming from Tarifa my advice is to hop online and check the bus schedules. If you are coming from Algeciras, it should be no problem, there are enough buses that run. I'm pretty sure from both Tarifa and Algeciras you can get to most nearby cities, including La Línea, Algeciras, Málaga, and I'm pretty sure even Cadiz and Sevilla too. But you will want to hop online to check that, and of course from Algeciras there will be more options.


Barbary Macaque on railing. Rock of GibraltarThe station at La Linea is small, but they have lockers which makes a quick run to Gibraltar very easy. I locked up my backpack, grabbed my daypack, and walked over to the border. It was a 5-10 minute walk, and crossing the border is simple. You just walk across, I didn't see anyone getting checked. I didn't have long enough to explore the caves at the end of the penisula, however I did want to be sure to get up and see the barbary macaques that live on the "rock", as it's called. So from the border I hopped the bus into town, which was only a Euro or two. It seems that most places in Gibraltar take both Euros and British Pounds, so don't bother exchanging money if you're only there for a day. I took the bus to where the cable car that takes you up to the top of the rock. The ticket for the cable car was a tad expensive, but as I was only there for the day I had no problem paying the 15 or so Euros.

Once at the top it is an amazing view. You can see the Atlas mountains of North Africa, and you can see much of southern Spain as well. Looking out over the Strait of Gibraltar is quite a sight. But of course the real stars of the show are the macaques that have made their home up there. It seems quite an odd place to see wild macaques, but apparently there are a few families that live up there, arriving there at some point from their native habitat in the mountains of North Africa. All the signs say to beware of them, since they are so used to people they know to associate humans with food, and I watched one try to snatch someone's water bottle. I guess they also will take your bag and run away if given the chance.

See the entire article here

Related Links:
Tangier, Morocco
Tarifa, Spain

Labels: adventure, gibraltar, photos, spain, travel

I've put up a new page about my travels last October in Tarifa, Spain. Here is an excerpt:


View from top of hotel, looking across Strait
of Gibraltar towards Morocco, Africa and
Atlas MountainsI woke up early after a couple of days in Granada, hopped the bus to the bus station for one Euro, where I then bought a ticket to Algeciras. This is where I thought my trip would get confusing, but it turns out it went quite smoothly. I think it was about 2 hours to Algeciras, and I was a bit nervous since I'd heard that city is nothing but a port city, with a fair amount of shady characters hanging around. But as it turns out it was ok, and I was able to then get an ongoing to to Tarifa -- only a short 30 minute bus ride away. Somehow I missed the first bus, but they run every
half hour so it was ok.


Beach in Tarifa, Spain, Atlantic coastThe ride itself it quite nice, very scenic with rolling green hills and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in the distance across the Strait of Gibraltar. I was unsure of where to get off the bus, but it seems as though you just ride it as far as it goes into town. From there you really only have 2 ways to go, away from town or towards town. If you walk back the way the bus came from you'll walk directly into the old town area. There are a few hotels outside of the old town, but I found quite a nice hotel right in the center of the old area for 20 euros per night, with shower and even a rooftop patio with views to Africa.

For the most part everything in Tarifa is within walking distance. From where I was located I was able to walk to both coasts (Mediterranean and Atlantic), quite a few bars and restaurants, the ferry terminal that has boats to Morocco, and all the surf shops that are up the road right outside of the the old town. The town itself it pretty small, it seems as though most tourists are either there for the windsurfing or to make the trip to Tangier.

I enjoyed some time on the patio of my hotel, sipped coffee at a bar for breakfast, enjoyed some tapas for dinner, and just wandered around town enjoying the sights. It was a slow and laid back town this time of year, and just relaxing and wandering the coastline and the beach was beautiful. One thing to keep in mind is that this a kite surfing mecca, and for good reason. The winds can blow quite strong on the coast, and since there is not much between the ocean and the town, it can be windy. And while the weather was pleasant, it was not warm enough to spend all day on the beach (for me at least), but the sunsets sure are nice. And it was the first and only sunset I've ever seen over the Atlantic.

And I can't forget to mention what brought me to Tarifa in the first place -- Morocco. In my opinion, there would be no reason to go to Algeciras, which is a larger and more industrial port city. Tangier is a great base city for a day trip or even an onward trip south into Morocco. The ferries run all day (see my post about Tangier for specifics), take only an hour, and the terminal is convenient from anywhere in Tarifa. And upon arrival back in Tarifa there is plenty to do, whether you are looking for food, drink, or just a place to relax.

Read more and see the photos here.

Labels: photos, spain, tarifa, travel

I have been pretty slow in posting the photos and write ups from my vacation last fall, and since it won't happen this weekend since I'll be in Colorado, I'll leave you with a couple photos. See Cordoba, Spain and Tangier, Morocco below!

Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain View Cordoba, Spain travels

Near Petit Socco in Medina, Tangier, Morocco Near Petit Socco in Medina, Tangier, Morocco View Tangier, Morocco travels

Related Links:
Tangier, Morocco
Cordoba, Spain
All Travels

Labels: cordoba, morocco, photos, spain, tangier, travel, vacation

I have recently posted some photos (here, here, and here) I took of graffiti while in Spain (which seem to be very popular according to Google Images), so here is yet another. This one was taken in Tarifa, Spain, which is at the southern tip of the country. From the location where this photo was taken, you can see Morocco and Africa in the distance across the Strait of Gibraltar, and to the west is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the east is Mediterranean. The graffiti isn't what makes this picture for me, it is really the location that makes this one special. Both of these photos were taken around the same time, but with different camera settings.

See more photos of Tarifa here

Graffiti, Tarifa, Spain - looking towards Morocco

Graffiti, Tarifa, Spain - looking towards Morocco

Graffiti, Tarifa, Spain - taken in sunset mode

Graffiti, Tarifa, Spain - taken in sunset mode
See more photos of Tarifa here

You may be interested in travel related shopping.

Related Links:
Tarifa, Spain
Tangier, Morocco
A day trip to Gibraltar
More graffiti pics
Ocean Beach Graffiti, San Diego, California

Labels: graffiti, photos, spain, tarifa, travel

I just finished adding a page about my travels in Granada, Spain. Here is an excerpt:


View from hotel looking up to la AlhambraGranada is a great city, and there is plenty to see and do there. Of course visiting la Alhambra is necessary, but there is quite a bit of other sightseeing to do as well. I was able to see pretty much la Alhambra in its entirety in one day, but it involved a lot of walking. If you are willing to walk it is even accessible by foot from the city. From the main plaza in town you can just walk up the hill for probably 20 minutes or so and you are there. I did learn that it is easiest to buy tickets for entry online, otherwise you have to wait in line and you risk the possibility of not even getting in, since they limit the number of tickets per day. I arrived mid morning, waiting in line for probably 45 minutes, but still had plenty of time."


View from hotel looking up to la AlhambraOnce you are done with la Alhambra, you can get to eating, drinking, and people watching. There are great kebab and showarma shops, and most bars serve free tapas with each drink that you order. If you're into people watching, it appears that Granada is quite a bohemian city, at least by my western standards. I saw a lot of hippie-ish looking people, which was quite interesting against the Moorish and Moroccan backdrop which seemed prevalent in the city. All in all, it was quite a fun time, and I would certainly like to go back at some point.

Read more here.

You may be interested in travel shopping.

Related Links:
Granada Photos

Labels: granada, photos, spain, travel

Here is yet another installment to my album of graffiti photos. This one was taken in Córdoba, Spain during my trip in October 2008. I found this on either Calle San Fernando or Calle San Feria, I'm not sure which, as I was walking from my room at the nearby Hostal Maestre. I'm not sure if the art is referring to global warming or what, but regardless, I thought it was interesting and the fact that it made me think was nice too.

Córdoba was a lovely city, and I would highly recommend a visit there. The Hostal Maestre is also recommended, it's a little further from the city center, but that gives ample opportunity to get lost in the maze of streets. It's also right around the corner from a proper hostel which has cheap internet access. Enjoy!



View more of my travel photos here

Related Links:
Graffiti, Granada, Spain
Graffiti, Barcelona, Spain
Graffiti, Ocean Beach, San Diego, California

Labels: cordoba, graffiti, photos, spain

I have been meaning to post this since I got back from Spain. To the right is a picture of what I packed, and actually there are quite a few things that I didn't end up using, some I would bring again since they were precautionary, but others I would scrap.

I actually only wore 2 or 3 different shirts the whole time, so I could have not brought one or two that I never wore. Also, brought two pairs of shoes, one "nice" pair of Sketchers in case I was out for dinner, and a pair of running sneakers. Only wore the sneakers, so I could have scrapped the other pair. I only read one of the books that I brought, so the others (not the guides) were overkill. The Lonely Planet guides were essential for me though. I also didn't use the quick drying towel or the lock that I brought. Those two things I would probably pack again though since they take up such little room. The other stuff I could have gone without, though on a different trip they may have been useful.

As for budget, my plane fare was around $1000 to fly from San Diego to Barcelona, and then Malaga to San Diego. Not great but also not bad. Expenses while in Spain totaled about $1200 for the 10 days, and this is after the exchange rate. This includes everything including hotel, food, drink, transportation, obligatory gifts, and incidentals. I wasn't trying to go on the cheap, but I also didn't want to go 5 star, so I am happy. While I was there the exchange rate was hovering between 68 to 72 cents to 1 Euro, so I spent approximately 850 Euros. This means I was well under 100 Euros per day, which makes me happy. And if I take out the transportation it drops to about 80 Euros per day. I am proud to say that I never took a cab and I really utilized the public transportation. I realize this total is a lot if you are a budget traveler, but also considering that it's Europe and how the economy is doing, I feel that I was right around where I hoped to be, as the same trip could have cost a LOT more.

If I break it down further, I spent an average of 40 euros (~$58 USD) per day on hotel, and this is actually skewed high because of the cost in Barcelona. Which then means I was spending about another 40 euros per day on food, drink, and local transportation. This actually breaks down quite nicely, since some days I was having only one cheap meal with a beer or two, and others I was spending a bit more to enjoy myself. Then add in coffee and probably a grand total of $150 on random gifts to bring home for the family, and there you have it. A great 10 days in Spain on an average budget which could be increased for more luxury or decreased to fix a shoestring budget.


Related Links:
Barcelona to Cordoba by Train
Barcelona, Spain
Graffiti, Barcelona, Spain
Graffiti, Granada, Spain

Labels: budget, packing, spain, travel

Cat in patio looking at me in Cordoba, SpainI have added another entry and some more photos from my Spain trip to my travel section. This one is about the train from Barcelona to Cordoba, and about Cordoba in general. If you are looking for information about getting from Barcelona to Cordoba, it is an excellent resource.

Here is an excerpt:
Despite the fact that my overnight train to Cordoba ended up being nearly four hours late and really messed with my ability to get a decent night's sleep, it worked out well to arrive late. Arriving earlier would have made it difficult to find a room, as no one would have been checked out from the previous night yet. Upon arrival, I took a local bus which dropped me in the center of town. Using my Lonely Planet Spain guide , I found a room at a placed called Hostal Maestre for 30 euros per night. The room was small but it had a toilet and shower and was all I needed. Don't be confused, the Lonely Planet guide reviews the hotel, but actually the hotel is more expensive and it's the hostal next door where I stayed. Not a youth hostel, but just a no frills version of the hotel.


Alcazar Gardens, Cordoba, SpainAs it turns out, I really liked Cordoba. In the center of the old part of town is Cordoba's Mezquita, the world famous Unesco Heritage Site, which was quite impressive. Though it is touristy, it is certainly worth the 8 (or 10, I can't remember) euros to go inside and see the impressive arches and interior. Also impressive are the Gardens in the Alcazar nearby. Once again, you have to pay to go in, but it is worth it.

It seems the majority of the tourist action surrounds the Mezquita, but if you head north you will find yourself in the a more modern part of the city. Aside from the few touristy things, I mainly just wandered around, spent some time enjoying tapas, beer, and coffee, hung out in the internet cafe at the youth hostel that I found, and really enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere in comparison to Barcelona, the tiny meandering streets, and the beautiful patios and courtyards that where everything I had heard about.

Read the entire thing here


Related Links:
My travels
Barcelona

Labels: cordoba, spain, travel

As mentioned in a previous post, I had seen some really cool graffiti when I was in Spain. Here is installment number 2. Enjoy!

View more of my photos here




Related Links:

Graffiti - Granada, Spain

Labels: barcelona, graffiti, photos, spain

Plaza Catalunya at night from hotel balcony

Plaça Catalunya at night from hotel balcony
I have added a page with a few of my notes and photos from my recent stay in Barcelona. Here is an excerpt:

I arrived in Barcelona, Spain at around 11AM. Upon arrival, I went outside the airport and took the A1 bus which dropped me right in the heart of the city at Plaça Catalunya where my hotel was located. I stayed at a place called Hotel Ginebra, which according to Trip Advisor was a fairly budget hotel for its location. Read More...

Also, while there, when I was wandering around Plaça Catalunya I caught a street performance by a pretty good band called Barrio Candela. If was some cool music, sort of funky, reggae, Latin, etc. Check them out below.

Labels: barcelona, spain, travel

During my recent trip to Spain, I noticed some really interesting graffiti on some of the side streets. I ended up taking a few good photos, and it also got me thinking that I've seen some cool graffiti here at home in San Diego. So over the next few weeks I will try to post a new photo every few days. Here is the first graffiti photo, taking in Granada, Spain, in October 2008. Enjoy!

See more random photos here, or more Granada photos here.



See more Granada photos here


Related posts:
Graffiti Posts
Spain Travel Photos

Labels: graffiti, granada, photos, spain

Sorry for the prolonged silence here. I had an amazing two weeks in Spain and Morocco. Check back for a some pictures and some details from the trip.

Labels: backpacking, morocco, spain, travel

I have been planning to write an article regarding travel and sustainable living, however I haven't gotten around to it yet. I wanted to explore the pros and cons of travel when it comes to trying to live a green and sustainable life. Obviously the two don't quite go hand in hand, however I think there are definitely positive aspects to traveling that can outweigh the negative environmental impact that travel causes. Anyway, that's a subject for a future post.

The topic for this post is, well, you probably can guess ... it's travel. I have a trip coming up in less than two weeks, and I have been driving myself crazy trying to make preparations. I am going to Spain, and hopefully also Morocco, and it will be my first trip abroad by myself, and my first solid 10 day vacation in a while. I am starting in Barcelona and flying back from Málaga. The 10 days in between are up in the air. My goal is Barcelona, Córdoba, a jaunt into Morocco, Granada, and then Málaga before returning. I'm sure some places I'll want more time in, some I may just pass through.

Needless to say, I have been keeping busy making sure I have all the proper travel gear gathered up, and I am also going to ensure I have just one moderately sized pack. No need for too much stuff to tote around. Also making sure my finances are in order and my credit and debit cards will work, buying a suitable backpack, picking up guidebooks and hotel tips (so I am not lost upon entering each new city), gathering the appropriate electrical converters, and then rounding up the little things I would never remember to bring if I was rush packing the day prior to leaving, like a compass (for wandering around old maze like cities) and a travel alarm clock so I don't miss my morning trains.

In doing all this work, I have come upon a few things that I wanted to share. If you have ever traveled out of the country, then you know that using your credit and debit cards isn't always as straight forward as it seems. Some countries (such as Spain) don't accept Mastercard as widely as you would expect, some ATMs don't accept cards from your home bank. And on top of that, each bank has different foreign transaction fees associated with your transactions.

Well, to help out, I found a few links. The first is a wiki page that lays out all the fees for each bank in detail, and the others supposedly show locations for ATMs that accept cards with the Mastercard and Visa logos respectively.

http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange
http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/

Also, here is a site for the Spain and Morocco train systems that has been immensely helpful in my transportation planning, even though I am not booking anything ahead, at least I can see approximate times that I can expect to find trains running between cities.

Map of Spain rail system
RENFE - Spanish rail schedules
Morocco rail schedules

When I return I will post reviews about my trips. Wish me luck!

Related links:

Rick Steves - The New Tangier, Tijuana no longer
Rick Steves - Plunge Deep into Morocco
Green Travel
Go Green Travel Center
Lonely Planet Spain

Labels: green travel, money, morocco, spain, vacation