This weekend I joined my host family on a vacation to Rota, Spain! After just an hour-and-a-half drive south, we arrived in the coastal town of Rota. Boasting two very distinct contrasts, the town is known for its medieval atmosphere and nearby US naval base. Additionally, as it just so happened that our holiday was set on the weekend, I had the entirety of it to spend on my time-off!
Toes in the Sand — Friday, July 19th
We arrived at their apartment located just off the beach in the early afternoon and I immediately set out to explore. The town has many small streets perfect for a midday stroll, however I soon found myself down by the beach enjoying the sun. My host family had recently given me a book to read by a Sevillian author, so I settled in amongst some live music at a bar on the sand and enjoyed my relaxing afternoon.
That evening I met back up with my host family and we all went to dinner at their favorite café far from the touristy areas I had found earlier in the day. My favorite thing we ordered was a beautiful plate of grilled squid! However, my evening was far from over. Earlier in the day my host family had given me a contact of another au pair who was in the area for the weekend named Cheyanne. We met up after our separate dinners down by the beach, got a few drinks, and did night-time exploring for ourselves! Seeing new parts of the town at night only made me more excited to return in the morning to see what else they had to offer. Before we parted ways, we made plans to meet up later the next day and take a ferry to the nearby city of Cadiz across the bay! While I had been to Cadiz in the past with my Mom, I was excited to visit again without the Carnival shenanigans and in full summertime vibrance.
From Sunrise to Sunset — Saturday, July 20th
Wanting to return to some of the places I visited the previous night with Cheyanne, I got an early start and began my walk along the footpath along the beach. I soon found myself at the town’s Castillo de Luna, the beautiful Parroquia de Nuestra Señoria de la O, and the open air Mercado de la Merced, before working my way back again along the ocean to the apartment.
After a quick pit-stop at the apartment to grab a few beach essentials, I made my way down the insanely packed, yet white sanded beach. I spent a couple hours enjoying the sun, my book, and some very engaging people-watching scenarios. However, as lunch time came around I was ready to ditch the beach and move inside.
Cheyanne and I met soon after lunch and caught the next ferry to Cadiz. I had a great time exploring the city once again and showing my new friend around the area. However, the beaches, city, and anywhere we could find with air-conditioning were packed to the brim! We took an evening ferry back to Rota with plans to re-group after a quick dinner to catch the sunset.
And what a sunset it was! Cheyanne and I walked a couple miles up and down the beach and were finally able to get away from the mass crowds that infiltrated the center. It was the perfect way to end such a busy, but adventure filled day.
A Hike Above the Dunes — Sunday, July 21st
Waking up to a cooler and misty morning on the coast, it was the perfect opportunity for a morning hike. Cheyanne and I met along the paved footpath along the beach, but continued walking north following the weaving boardwalk paths. Our walk took us along coastal dunes, pine groves, a botanical garden, and all the way out to the UNESCO heritage site of the town’s famous Roman fishing corrals. The plots built into the shallow waters along the ocean function to let fish, cuttlefish, and octopi, enter the corrals when the tide is high, and then are subsequently trapped and fished with ease when the tide goes out.
Although a very long walk to reach these corrals, the effort was worth the rewarding views and good company along the way. Sadly, Cheyanne was leaving to return to Canada the following week, but I was glad to have met her! I don’t know if my host family will return to Rota, but I would love to come back again to see more of this surprising little city — and maybe next time spot a few more chameleons…
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