April 8 found us back on the train, we returned to Atocha where we transferred to a high-speed train.  The train station at Atocha is amazing.  There are 10 tracks with regular trains from outlying cities (cercanias) and there are 3 tracks with high-speed trains to the more distant and larger cities (Barcelona, Valencia, and, our destination, Sevilla).  All of the trains are very nice, but the high speed trains are really first class. The trains travel at up to 190 mph, much faster than I have ever traveled on the ground.

We arrived in Seville after just over 2 hours, took a taxi to the bus station, ate more delicious tapas, and traveled by bus to Tarifa (a 3 hour trip). We passed through beautiful farm country with almonds, olives, vineyards, oranges (and more oranges), and pasture and wheat fields, often dotted with wind turbines and solar collectors.  Arriving in Tarifa, we were greeted by modern high-rise motels but following a short taxi ride to the gates of the old city we soon entered a magical place with narrow streets paved with stone, old restored buildings, and small quaint restaurants.

We had hoped for whale watching in Tarifa, but strong winds kept us on land during our stay.  On our last day, the winds pealed your eye lids back unless you wore sun glasses and the shorebirds had retreated to meadows above the ocean cliffs. 

Tarifa is the furthest southern point of the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and, along with Africa, borders the connection between the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Mediterranean on the east.  Standing on the point, you can have one foot in each body of water.

Looking across the Mediterranean toward Africa

We visited an ancient castle, the furthest south in Europe (of course).  It has an interesting history, having been constructed and occupied by Moors and various christian and other folks.  The photo below shows a bit of the castle and the legend surrounding "Guzmán the Good", who let his son be killed rather than surrender to the attackers.  He through down the dagger for the attackers to use for killing his son.

I had more pictures prepared, but I seem to have deleted them.  Given that I am so far behind on the blog, I'll move on to our next destination.