Spain Tour

6/8 - 9/8

6/8 Algeciras

...continue from the morocco dairy on 6/8

Due to the time different between morocco and spain when I arrived at spain it was nearly 11pm. As all other EU countries there are two passage to the custom, one for EU citizen and one for non-EU. Most of the EU citizen on the ship is driving, so there was just a few people using the EU passage for foot passenger. In contrast I was queuing with a lot other moroccans (who needs a visa for spain) in the non-EU passage.

Finally it's my turn. The officer looked at my passport, didn't seem to understand what Hong Kong is, put my passport aside and told me to wait. Again, what can I do? I sit there until all the people from the ship passed the custom (except one looks like moroccan was deported, probably some visa problem), which is already half an hour later. Then they deal with my Hong Kong passport. At first one of their guy, who looks like the head, was quite rude to me and pushed me to their office, forced me to sit down. I tried to explain to them this is a Hong Kong passport not China. They didn't understand my english even I speak very very slowly. Ok, I sit and wait. The time is 12am now. They keep on looking up information on their computer. They asked me for other proofs of identification and I gave the my university card and UK driving licence. During the period I have to ask them to go to the toilet or drink water, just like a prisoner. Finally they seemed to realize that a Hong Kong passport doesn't require visa to enter Schengen countries, and they begin to treat me better. It was already 1:30am when the head officer shook hand with me and released me. And this is my first impression about Spain.

7/8 Gibraltar (UK)

Frankly speaking from this point on my trip is relatively easy becuase I've booked all the hostels and checked the time for trains and buses. It's easy to get around also because you can easily find people speaking (at least some) english. Since currently I'd better devote more time to my thesis, please allow me just putting down brief description of the places I visited and some photos.

A piece of land at the southern tip of spain belonging to UK due to historical reasons. Town layout in british style except with sunny weather.

Next to the Gibraltar-Spain border is the airport runway. You cross the runway to go into town.

The best to start the day in a british town is to have a traditional english breakfast.

View from the Gibraltar rock.

St. Michael's Cave.

It's blue sky everywhere in Gibraltar.

8/8 Barcelona Day 1

My advice: not to go to barcelona in peak season. Hotels are all fully booked, everywhere is crowded and to visit a place you might have to queue for hours. I didn't visit the Picasso museum because I was put off by the queue.

Frankly speaking I'm feed up with churches.

The Palace de les Cascades.

9/8 Barcelona Day 2

The La Sagrada Familia under construction is named as the single must see by lonely planet.