. OnHiatus.com > Journal 1 > Day Index > Journal Entry: July 31, 1999

Saturday, July 31, 1999
Tangier, Morocco to Algeciras, Spain
Morocco's FlagSpain's FlagEngland's FlagGibraltar's Flag

Map
Algeciras, Spain:
Latitude: 36° 7' 58" North
Longitude: 5° 26' 41" West
Altitude: 95 feet
From Seattle: 6032 miles
Lodging: Transit - Madrid Train

Map
Today's Travel:
Countries: Morocco, Spain, England, Spain
Regions: Mediterranean Coast, Andalucia, Gibraltar, Andalucia
Route: Ferry: Tangier - Algeciras; Bus: Algeciras - Gibraltar - Algeciras
Start: Tangier, Morocco
Stop 1. Algeciras
Stop 2. Gibraltar, England
End:Algeciras, Spain
Linear:44 miles
Weather: Sunny

Available Photos:

Goodbye Africa: Tangier Ferry, Off Tangier, Morocco

All photo images © 1997-2000 Anthony Jones - Images may not be used without prior written approval.

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Map
Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 842
Linear Dist: 155026
Countries Visited: 60
Regions Visited: 239
More stats...
Hotels: 268
Friends / Family: 176
Camping: 118
Hostels: 217
Transit: 56
Other Lodging: 6
Beers: 3129
Hide...

Journal Entry:
Headed down to the ferry. I changed my remaining currency into pasetas and got ripped off about ten percent. After buying our tickets Amy got stopped by the immigration officer. Since she's a resident of Morocco she's supposed to get a return visa before she leaves the country. She tried to get the visa, but the police were too slow and last time she went to Spain she didn't have any trouble. With minutes to go we got escorted onto the ferry - on the car deck since everything else had already been closed. Immigration kept Amy's residency card so she'll have to reapply when she returns, but at least we made it.

Watching Tangiers move away was a bittersweet moment as I realized that I was finally leaving Africa - nearly a year after ariving on this same ferry. On the ferry we had a few beers to substitute for the ones we were denied a few nights ago, and feasted on cheese sandwiches. In Algeciras we went to the train station and decided to book a sleeper to Madrid for tonight. Since we had several hours to spare we put our luggage in storage and caught a bus to Gibralter. Gibralter was a trip - a piece of England in Southern Spain - I guess no weirder than Ceuta, a piece of Spain in northern Morocco. Amy was facinated with the supermarket and we spent some time just exploring the vast selection. Bought some wine, apples, cheese, and some sweets for the train. Had a regular pub lunch and a couple beers and just wandered around. Caught the bus back to Algeciras and got on the train. Our berth is incredible, it's a little cabin, but it's got everything - including a hot shower! By far the nicest train facilities I've ever seen.

[Part of original entry lost - Reconstructed from notes May 2, 2000]


Related Sites:
US State Department Consular Information Sheets: Spain
CIA World Fact Book: Spain

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