31 May 2010 3:19 PM:

I've been to Tangier a few times, as we further inland. For a day trip to Tangier the shortest crossing on the fast boat from Tarifa (~30min), though you can also sail from Algeciras (1.5hrs). Make sure you get the right ferry. Some ferries from Algeciras run to Tangier Med, a new ferry port which is in the middle of nowhere half way between Tangier and Ceuta. FRS Iberia run a fast ferry from Tarifa to Tangier, and Balearia from Algerciras to Tangier proper.

Arrving in Tangier main port you are right in the town itself, which centres around the harbour. It's easy to explore by foot so you dont really need  an organised tour, and it's a nice place just to wander around, rather than visit any "must do" sites. The old Hotel Continental is a wonderful old-world European colonial style hotel near the old Medina at Rue Dar el-Baroud, a short walk from the port. It's well worth seeing and perhaps stopping for a drink.

I guess the city is an aquired taste, and if it's your first time in Morocco it's pretty manic and overwhelming, perhaps a bit intimidating. But ignore the touts, stick by the rule that anything that seems to be good to be true definitely is, then you won't come too unstuck, and will get to see a really interesting, lively town that can be a fun place for a day out. If it gets a bit much just head into one of the western hotels for a drink on their terrances, and if you want to go back home, it might feel exotic and far away, but it's just a case of jumping on the ferry.

 

 

 

Thread: Day Trip to Tangier, Morocco

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28 May 2010 5:15 PM:

Hi Stephen,

Well, it'd be an interesting few months, and everyone loves storytellers :-)

As an Eu citizen, there are no restrictions on you regards length of stay, so it's really just a case of driving over. You would probabaly find it a lot easier to do between October and May, as during the school summer break accmodation is hard to find and overpriced, and it's just too damn crowded IMHO. You really won't see the place at it's best.

Going through the shoulder seasons you will probabaly find it is chepaer to get a studio or small flat than hotels. You get more priavcy, and more of a feel of if you want to stay, and given the current economic situation, the differences between eating out and having you own kitchen are quite significant. Having a hotel gives more flexibility on locations (move as you wish), but if your staying within Andalucia you can get around most areas quickly enough if you pick a reasonably central location to the areas that interest you, and you can always move at the end of the month if you want to.

Driving yourself down is a long trek, but for your idea, having the car will be a huge bonus, and you'll easily save the cost of the journey on the cost of hire, especially if you are going to rack up a lot of miles.

Thread: Dipping toes in water

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27 May 2010 5:55 PM:

Coleen, this may be water under the bridge now, but when making any future payments to a solicitor, you can make the payment via a CHAPS transfer from your main account directly to his business account, regardless of what bank he is using. CHAPS payments can be made directly from your bank (UK or Spanish) to any bank using the IBAN payments system, which almost literally every EU bank or building society uses.

It costs a bit more (around £25 fromthe UK, about the same in Spain, as destination doesn't matter), but you know where it's going, it'll get there within 24 hours, and you have a solid record of it with YOUR bank as well as his. Remeber to keep the paperwork.

You will need you solictors business account details, i.e. account name, number, branch name and number etc. as well as the IBAN number. Hope this is of use.

Thread: Developers have gone into liquidation with our deposit

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27 May 2010 5:20 PM:

Hammersfan said:

Actually, I disagree with this campaign. yes it's appalling and should not happen, but we take the choice to come and live in Spain. We can dislike the property laws or lack of service or animal cruelty...but it's part of the package, along with the sunshine and scenery.

If a group of foreigners came to live in the UK and then proceeded to try to change British institutions and processes, however bad those institutions and processes were, my recation would be  "you know the way to the airport...don't let me stop you"

Why should we be arrogant enough to believe that the same doesn't apply to us  Brits as visitors/settlers in Spain?  We might be right on the specific issues (as we are undoubtedly here), but we're wrong overall to believe that we have the right to go there and change the character of  the country to suit our ideals.

It's not a case of like it or leave, as people make out. They don't ask you to LIKE cruelty. They merely ask you to be silent.

Many Spanish citizens have stood against this, because it revolts and disgusts them and they want it to stop. To those who live in Spain, they could be your neighbours, trying to stop these inhuman acts happening in the city, and whole country, that you both share. And yet you stay silent....

You moved there. Settled down, lived there for decades, used the services, paid the taxes, voted for the council, perhaps even the government. It is your home, and what happens there is as much your responcibility as anyone elses, but you stay silent, and let it happen wihtout a whisper of protest. Bad things happen when good people do nothing, or when good people get no backup from the disinterested.

 

 

Thread: Cruelty to animals

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27 May 2010 4:36 PM:

I agree with what Goodstich44 said on page 1 about bullfighting. It's cruel and inhumane, just as foxhunting, dock and cock fighting are/were in the United Kingdom. There are people who argue it is a Spanish tradition, and yes it is, one that should be in the past, just as it is vital the United Kingdom fights to keep foxhunting in it's past. There are many traditions in any culture, and the best of them can be cherished and preserved, whilst the cruel and barbaric ones - which all cultures have- can be left behind. I should point out that Egypt banned female genital mutilation, much to the dismay of "traditionalists".

Spain doesn't need buillfighting to have a strong link to it's own cultural traditions, anymore than the UK needs fox hunting, or the US needs game hunting.

Sanchez1: Becuase you live in a state doens't mean you have to agree with everything that state does. I chose to live in the UK (I moved here in 2002) because when I moved here it was a good move for me, in terms of career, educated and life choices, not because I looked at the warmongering and not so vaguely racist undertones and said "I endorse that, lets do more of it!". Does that mean I should "go back where I came from"?

Dartboy: Showing me some of the things I object to about the UK. "They" just aren't as civilized as "us", that's the problem, right?! *headdesk*

 

 

 

 

 

Thread: Spanish bull fighting

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