A Smidge of Spain in Morocco

Ceuta Marina: 9 October 2012

Itinerary Ceuta, Spain.  (said “suit  a”)  A Spanish enclave on the African coast to wait out the right tides and winds to get from the Med back into Atlantic waters.

We had high hopes for Ceuta.  Described as a little gem on the edge of Africa, it has been in existence since Phoenician times.  It is compact, boasts green open plazas, grey sandy beaches - and is closed from 1.30 until 5pm daily.  This was our day:

 1. Macca’s (for internet of course) – closed until 12 mid-day.  What???



Royal Walls with Bruce

 

2. Dinghy tour of the canal between the medieval Royal Walls (5^th c) – and a “no entry” sign in Spanish…but we did anyway.  Oooops!

 

3. Plaza de Africa.  A tropical green space sheltered by an 18th c church with lots of baroque gold work; a more austere 17th c cathedral but having some of its huge artworks being painstakingly restored; a small cathedral museum (closing at 1pm) and a Phoenician settlement uncovered in recent times.



We did a little shopping

And a little sightseeing

4. We walked to the Museo del la Legion via the corniche overlooking two popular town beaches.  Clearly not everyone goes home for lunch!  Important to keep that Med suntan up somehow!  Having made the museum with 20 mins to spare, we were able, after a passport check, to dash about checking out military memorabilia (1920’s onwards).  The Spanish Legion continues its desert and border duties today.

Wedding Cake anyone?

 

5. After avoiding enlistment, we hurried on to Plaza de los Reyes, sidestepping more beggars than we’d seen in the whole of Morocco, then on to the Casa de los Dragones.   More Disney than baroque, this former home, now beautifully restored typifies Cueta (well, on the outside, anyway). 

 

6. Well ahead of schedule by now, we stopped for a quick tapas lunch before heading off to the Parque Maritimo del Mediterraneo, a huge pool/bar/restaurant/casino complex for a quick dip.  Just our luck – the pools were as empty as the restaurants.  A few young ladies sunned themselves, cooling off under showers as necessary, beside gull strewn, empty lagoons and waterless waterfalls.  The Casino opened at 10pm for action.  Welcome to Spain. 

Time for your sea survival training BCK

 

7. What’s next?  Well, Macca’s might be open by now….  Except, right on 4pm, a thick, cold fog settled in over the marina. 

You promised me sun on this trip...where is it?

 

From: Restinga Smir, Morocco  Lat/Long: 35:45.176N  05:20.542W  Date/Time: 8/10/12: 1100
To: Ceuta, Spain  Lat/Long: 35:53.412N  06:17.042W   Date/Time: 8/10/12: 1330
Time Taken: 15.5nm (2.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 261.5nm (41hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 10498.5nm   Weather: Very little wind; slightly foggy   
Fastest Speed: Motoring; BCK tried her hand at fishing – sadly, no fresh fish dinner!