Spain Day 10: Finally A Sunrise, Some Rain, A Beautiful Rainbow And An Encounter With The Police On My Last Day In Tarifa And Spain

It was my last morning in Spain, and I  finally got to watch the sunrise from the  balcony of my room at the Residence Puerto Hotel in Tarifa. I experienced  a lot of a rain and wind during my  week stay at this friendly hotel. Despite the rain , I loved this charming city situated along the Strait of Gibraltar in southern Spain

I had one last morning to  hike and explore the beautiful coast of southern Spain. I hoped to finally see some of the many species of migratory birds that should be here in early March. So far I had little luck because of the rains and westerly winds. After searching my AllTrails App I decided to hike a few miles on the Circuito La Jara – La Herrumbrosa trail in the Alcornocales Natural Park. It was located about 7 miles from Tarifa.  I had to stay close to my hotel since I had to return  my rental car  in La Linea by 11:00 a.m.

I drove the scenic highway along the coast  and found a parking lot along the trail on the map.As I was exiting my car, I  noticed the mountain I had hiked on Tuesday,  La Pena in the distance.

I took  photos of the wind mills I had hiked under on the summit, recalling their deafening noise, and the strong winds atop the mountain ridge.  And, of course, the spectacular  views.It was a great hike I will always remember.

Near the parking lot I saw a flock of these colorful western cattle egrets. I have seen these before in the southern United States but was unaware they are also found in Europe and Africa.

While watching the egrets these  Eurasia spoonbills  flew  overhead.  These were the first water fowl I seen on my visit to Gibraltar and Spain, and I hoped I would see more on my hike.

I followed the route of the trail  on my  AllTail app. It showed the trail followed busy Highway N-340. As I struggled through shrubs and trees, I soon realized I was on the wrong side of the highway. The trail was on the other side. And it wasn’t much of a nature trail. I crossed the highway and found a wider dirt trail. The trail took me  to the Rio  de la Jara . Unfortunately I didn’t see any more water fowl or any birds in the woodlands along the river or trail.

There were now storm clouds in the west which produced a passing shower, but it was still sunny when I walked  on a  bridge over the river.  As I crossed the bridge a  beautiful  rainbow appeared in the  western sky.

  It was only half a rainbow  over the storm clouds when I first saw it,

but then  a full double rainbow appeared,

appearing  to end on the summit of La Pena, where I hiked on Tuesday.

It was here I visited  I felt the Buddha cave  and left my gift of a folded dollar bill showing the Eye of Providence. It  is  a symbol of an all-seeing eye, often depicted within a triangle, representing divine providence or the watchful eye of God. I felt in my heart, soul amid mind it was a sign my gift was acceptable to our Creator.

I followed the rainbow along the highway, and could see where it ended just across the highway. It was a beautiful sight on my last morning in Tarifa.

After watching the rainbow fade, I realized  I wouldn’t have time to follow the trail into the hillside as I had originally planned so I decided to walk down to ocean and Tarifa Beach. I walked through a wooded park down to the beach,

where I found a parking lot  full of recreational vehicles and campers.

It was crowded. And I could see why.

The campers had spectacular views of the beach, ocean and coast of Africa in the distance.

I walked along the shore,

seeing  crown daisies ,

and, I believe sea figs blooming in the dunes.

I was also able to see La Pena and the other mountains in the distance.

 As walked along the beach,  and the crashing waves,  I found a few sea shells in the sand,

and saw a lot of lesser black -backed  gulls flying overhead.

 I walked back up through the parking lot/ campground , which ended at a small hotel.  I would love o

tp stay here someday.

I walked back uo through the wooded picnic and camping  area,

where I saw some European goldfinches

 a  a few Eurasian collared-doves, .

and a lot of field mushrooms.

I walked back along  the busy highway, with my last view of the mountain ridge I had hiked on Tuesday.  I had hoped to see more birds and water fowl ,

but all I saw were a lot of common European  greenfinches ,

and this snail  crawling on the trail.

As I walked over the river again, and past some wetlands,  I wish I could have stayed a few more days exploring these wetlands, possibly  seeing some  water fowl and maybe some migratory birds.

I drove  back to my hotel and had my final breakfast in Spain on this trip. I was going to miss the many  delicious  items on the buffet, especially the local tapas. After a quick shower, I packed, and  said farewell to the friendly staff who treated me like family for a week.  I took my last drive  through the beautiful mountains of southern Spain.

It was a nice drive on this sunny day. I didn’t hit much traffic but I did have an  interesting experience with the local lae. It  was entirely my fault. I was using my iPhone for navigation.  I was pulled over by two police officers on motorcycles. I was told how dangerous this was and I would receive a 500 euro fine.  The police officers  were stern, but nice. After telling  them  how sorry I was they reduced the fine to 100 euros if I ped  guilty and paid the fine. They took my credit card, gave me a receipt and I was on my way. Another story to tell about my travels in Spain.

I was soon driving on the  streets of La Linea which  were a little congested on a Friday morning,

but once  I got to the car rental office, it was very easy to return my car. I just  parked in front of the rental office ,  returned the keys and paperwork,and was walking though the busy streets of La Linea with the Rock of Gibraltar in the distance.I was pulling my luggage through the streets to the Immigration Center. where I left Spain and entered Gibraltar for the second time on this trip.  My flight to Gibraltar  was diverted to Malaga in Spain because of hike winds.  More on that experience in an earlier blog. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web page with some more photos from my morning hike.  Spain Day Ten. Tarifa morning hike March 21 2025.

 

I left Spain and enjoyed my first visit here.  The people were very friendly and the food was delicious, although I wasn’t able to dine a many of the fine restaurants since they  didn’t open unit 7:00 to 8:a.m. too late for me after waking up early and usual hiking over 7 miles a day. I loved the rainbow I saw on my last hike. I am sure it was a sign that I must return, and I plan to, in August of 2027. to experience my third total solar eclipse.

“I would sooner be a foreigner in Spain than in most countries. How easy it is to make friends in Spain!”
― George Orwell,