Day 1, June 14, 2001

After the red-eye flight I manage to get a room in Malaga for about 3000 ptas. Right in the old quarter. I decide to head to Morocco tomorrow, and get a good night sleep tonight. The sun is shining it is about 30 degrees so why spend all day on a bus? Tomorrow I'll start early for the long trek, Algeciras by bus, ferry to Ceuta, grand taxi to border, bus to Chefchaouen so I'll relax a bit today.

The old city holds a few notables, so I head off and try to see everything in one afternoon.

II manage to find the tourist office and get times for the bus and ferry, looks like I'll have too be on the 6:45 bus to make all the connections. I see an early night ahead! I also mange to get a map, so off I head.

The old quarter is quite nice, many of the streets are pedestrian only, and there are nice squares with cafes to rest in. I decide to head first to the cathedral. It was built over three centuries (16th to 18th) and has a bizarre mixture of styles, it is sometimes called "la Manquita" ( the one armed one) as it's second tower was only ever half bulilt.

My second destination of the day is the Alcazaba, a citadel with a great view of the city and harbour. This is built on a roman fortress ( circa 10 the century), and has extensive moorish influence. The Alcazaba is connected to the Gibralfaro castle, finished in 1340. The whole complex is atop a hill ( sweaty hard walking!) It is alike a maze of ancient stone walls and stairways, something new around every turn. O.K. so now I am beet red, and it is about 34 degrees out. At the exit to the site there is a small fountain and as I am contemplating splashing about, another man does just that! So I join in. The man is from England and we chat for a bit, turns out we have travelled to many of the same places (india, Morocco etc). He  (about the 100th person) warns me I should not go to Morocco alone, single females are a target.

I am beginning to weary of this refrain, I am going, and I will be fine. I figure if I have survived India, I should be O.K. in Morocco. I have been to Morocco about 15 years ago, so yes, I am aware of the hassles and scams, but what's a trip without a challenge?

I decide that due to the heat, I'll  forego anymore sightseeing and while away what is left of the day in a cafe; sipping Fanta limon and writing some postcards. I have a good meal and then head off to bed after phoning home to let the guys know I made it in one piece.

The Alcazaba

Malaga from the hill

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