Ceuta is only 12mls from Iberia, just over half the distance from Dover to Calais. As we left the ship we were given a carnation and a souvenir book about the town. Two coaches were on this trip. Our Guide was a young girl called Elizabeth. Her English was difficult to follow as her pronunciation was bizarre. Firstly we skirted the rocky northern coast of the mainland as far as the Moroccan border which we were not allowed to cross. We had a photo stop near this border but it was cloudy and the mountains were somewhat shrouded. The mountain top to the left resembles a woman's face.
We retraced our route back to the town and proceeded along the northern side of the almost island peninsular. An elaborate promenade has been developed which gives an idea of a holiday resort but the road is so narrow it would have been more sensible to have widened the road and/or made more facility for parking. The following two pictures were taken through the window of the bus while we were waiting at traffic lights.
Like Gibraltar the four religions comprise the population. We continued out of the town and into the country, climbing the hilly area towards the end of the peninsular. For the first time on any excursion we saw cows! We continued up the hill and could see the Moorish castle near the top.
Our stop was at a viewpoint, over the port, near the church of San Antonio. Arrangements had been made for us to see inside the church at 3pm. By 3.30 no-one had arrived to open up. Despite phone calls and promises of action nothing happened so at 4pm we left, everyone feeling they had wasted much valuable time.
Back down now to the coast road, but to a lower level in order to visit the Mediterranean Seapark. This was designed by the Cesar Manrique the architect/artist from Lanzarote. It consists of a series of lakes/swimming pools although there was no water in them on our visit! Landscaped/waterscaped with a castle in the centre which houses a Casino, restaurant and discoteque.
We were told we had 15 minutes in which to view the gardens, but it was not until 35 minutes later that we eventually left!
Back in the town we had the option to visit a square of gardens, a church and a cathedral, both of which were closed or to return to the ship. Everyone had had enough of closed churches so we agreed to by-pass them and return to the Black Prince. Round the corner, too late, we saw that the other church door was open . . . So much for the efficiency of our Guide. Streets which were wide enough were tree lined giving an attractive appearance.
Although it had been quite interesting it was not well organised, the Guide was not up to the standard we had come to expect so it was a bit disappointing. However, because of complaints we have been promised a rebate of half the cost of the tour.
Tonight was a Wild West theme. Most of the men had checked shirts with neckerchiefs. The dinner, with a western theme was of the usual excellence. Chicken soup, J had Mexican steak and corn, I had King trout and baby corn. For dessert J had ice cream various and I had banana split and ice cream.
The evening's entertainment followed the Western theme and we were all given cowboy hats to wear. The entertainment consisted of Line Dancing and a Deja Vu presentation of "Way Out West" in song and dance. The costumes were very impressive. It was late night entertainment so I was too tired to write the diary of the day and left it until Saturday.
Clocks were put back ready for Madiera time which is the same as Portugal and England. Spain and Gibraltar were one hour ahead.