Where is Cadiz in Spain?
I am leaving Cadiz this morning and I literally have tears in my eyes. There was something uniquely special about this city for me that I did not expect, but definitely something special.
The  following photos I took yesterday from the top of the bell tower of the cathedral.  Man I was speechless when I was looking through my photographs. It was truly spectacular .
The Cathedral Bell Tower where these photos were taken from;
Fhis was built in the 17th Century. It was started then and became work over many years!
HISTORY:
Cadiz is thought by some to be the oldest city in Europe, founded in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians who called it Gadir and traded Baltic amber and British tin, as well as Spanish silver. The city subsequently became a naval base for the Romans before fading into obscurity until 1262 when it was taken from the Muslims by Alfonso X.
The real boom period was with the discovery of America as Columbus sailed from this port on his second and fourth voyages. Much later the city enjoyed a golden age during the 18th century when it enjoyed 75% of Spanish trade with America. From this time it grew into one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities in Spain and most of the city’s fine buildings date from this time.
The people here are proud and I have noticed a completely different composition of the people in the city then in northern Spain where I’ve done most of my hiking.
In the 12th century the Muslims were expelled from Seville and later in the 15th Century from Spain.
The people here remind me of the people in Sicily with a varied type of skin colour hair colour.
It is mostly is due to the fact that so many different cultures and backgrounds have passed through here. You really see how centuries later that has made up the population.
Cadiz is a beach city. I spent of my time on Playa De La Caleta. Sunsets were amazing. The tidal changes were huge, but the water was cold!
Playa De La Caleta!
I spent a lot of time down at this beach over the last three days in particular watching the sunsets.
It’s a very popular beach and the water was spectacular .
The drastic changes in the tidal flow made it easier to get a good sunset shot!
I came down to the beach every night to watch the sunsets and all three of them were spectacular !
My ApartmentÂ
One of the things I did differently in the city was that I did not stay in hotel. I rented an apartment.
It was much more inexpensive and I was able to go to the local markets and buy food and cook meals for the first time since I’ve been away. It was a great way to save money .
I think that allowed me to feel like I was part of a neighbourhood and have a normal life. Â I enjoyed unpacking all of my clothes and living out of a closet and dressers instead of a backpack.
These are photos of my apartment and I am very happy I did it!
You Never Know What Lies Behind a Closed Door!
Cadiz really touched my heart. I feel that it is a special place. It is with very mixed emotions that I leave this city today!
I decided to return to the beach this morning and take one last final morning shot.
This is me in Cadiz!
Next stop is Córdoba!
KEEP WALKING!
