lyfe abroad - an authentic travel blog

lyfe abroad - an authentic travel blog exploring destinations in depth as a solo traveller. Staying in places for weeks and months versus days. Travelling off lyfe's beaten path. Providing a glimpse into the authentic locale and keeping it real. Join me while I get lost and discover hidden gems.

by Carol

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lyfe.abroad

Flowers in winter 😁🌺 I’m in a little town

Flowers in winter 😁🌺

I’m in a little town called Tarifa on the southern coast of Spain. Even though it’s winter, the temperature is warm enough that colour, in the form of beautiful blossoms is persevering. This makes me a happy girl 😊

I love flowers. They are mother natures candy for the eyes 👀🌻

Tarifa is a small ancient city built of stone. There is precious little garden space. But the local residents continue to find a way to beautify their spaces.

It’s one of the reasons this place is so enchanting 🥰

#tarifa #tarifaspain #travelblogger #lyfeabroad #flowers #flower #flowerphotography #flowerlovers #beautifulflowers #travelspain #southspain #spanishvibes #spanishtown

I’m standing on top of Torre de Guzman el Bueno

I’m standing on top of Torre de Guzman el Bueno in Tarifa Spain 🇪🇸

In this exact spot in 1294, the Moors ordered Guzman to hand over his son or they would take the town.

Guzman chose to sacrifice his son to save his people. It was then the tower became known as Guzman el Bueno, or Guzman the Righteous (or ‘Good’ as it is often improperly translated to).

This tower is the eastern most one of the Guzman castle, which was first constructed as a fortress in 960. 🏰

Tarifa has had a tumultuous past. Once thought to be the end of the world, literally, the city is the most southern place on continental Europe.

#tarifa #tarifaspain #lyfeabroad #traveldestination #travelwriter #torredeguzmán #tower #castle #moorishcastle #torredeguzmanelbueno #guzmanelbueno #straightofgibraltar #spanishcoast #spanishcastle #castlelovers

I’m feeling blessed to be beside the ocean for a

I’m feeling blessed to be beside the ocean for a few weeks. 😊

Water. What is it about water? It’s magical. Feeds my soul, fills my brain with calmness. 🌊

The way the sunlight catches, like a blanket of diamonds before my eyes. 💎

The motion and sound, waves or droplets, cascades or trickles. No matter the form, I crave water. 💦

Yesterday, as I walked along the shoreline, bare feet being bathed in salty brine, all I could do was daydream. Every stress was washed away for those moments.

Upon regaining focus, I realized I had been wading down the beach with the biggest smile on my face. So happy just to have my feet in the cold, crisp, clear water. 😁

#water #watermagic #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #traveldestination #beachday #beachlife #tarifa #spain #southernspain #coastalspain #spanishcoast #oceanlover #atlanticocean #beachtherapy #watertherapy #waves

Leaving Tangiers and the African coastline and hea

Leaving Tangiers and the African coastline and heading by ferry back to Spain 😁

It’s been a short and sweet trip, here are a few tips and tricks that might help future travellers 😊

Money 💰 businesses in Tangier are happy to take your Euro. The currency is a closed one, so if you do change money, make sure to spend it all inside the country. I changed a single €50 note and had enough at the end that I needed to find things to purchase. Hello cute leather sandals and a bag full of groceries 😝

Toilets 🚽 There are public ones sprinkled around the Medina that are pay to use. Each place I stopped at and purchased a coffee, tea or juice also had a toilet available, however not necessary on location. You might be walked to the toilet 😝

Cats 🐈 They are everywhere! Just as many as Turkey I think, but not a healthy population unfortunately. Be careful when you are petting them 🥲

Walkable 👟 the Medina and Kasbah are cobblestone and hilly/steps. The city has regular sidewalks in good condition.

Temperature 🥵 I was here in winter and mid day it’s fairly warm, 20’s. Compared to the Spanish coast that has a constant cool wind, here it does not. I cannot imagine visiting in the summer. 🫣

WIFI 📱 To save money, I chose not to purchase a SIM card for such a short trip. I relied solely on wifi. It was challenging. I prepared each morning at brekkie, with screen shots of the direction I needed to go on maps. 🗺️ I was unable to get wifi at any of the little cafes I stopped at. I saw no familiar chain restaurants to use for this purpose. ☕️

People🧍‍♀️Some are super friendly, proud of their country and want you to enjoy it fully. Most that approach you will offer a service or product and ask for money. Do not follow anyone anywhere. Do not be surprised to be offered d*#%s. Travellers need to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, like always.

Ladies 🚺 dress modestly and down. The culture and your safety requires it.

Hope this helps someone 😁 Any questions feel free to reach out 🙋

#lyfeabroad #tangier #tangiermorocco #travelmorocco #traveltips #traveltipsandtricks #traveltheworld #traveltips101 #visittangier #exploreafrica #moroccan

I’m back in my nest 😝 This little town in th

I’m back in my nest 😝

This little town in the most southern point of Spain and Europe, brings me joy 😊

It feels like home. My abode is rustic but comfy. I have a little terrace to enjoy my morning coffee and evening glass of wine from. The bougainvillea vines lush with bright pink flowers, droop into the space. 🥰

I want for nothing (although a washing machine would help) 😝 This old stone house is safe, having lasted through centuries, the thought brings me comfort.

I’m content, at peace. I have the beach on one side, hikes along the hilly coastline on the other. Fresh and affordable food, sunshine and blessed quiet.

I’ve found a perfect place, one I want to return to again one day. It’s dreamy 😇

This is what I’m doing. Travelling the world to find places to call home for a short while. Knowing once I’ve found a gem, I’ll be back. 😊

#tarifa #tarifaspain #spanishvibes #spanishlife #lyfeabroad #travelwriting #travelblogger #traveldestination #traveldeeper #livingabroad #lifeabroad #livingoverseas #expat #expatlife #solotravel #travelfulltime #travelslow #feelslikehome #livinginspain #spanishtravel #ilovespain

Goodbye Tangier 😁 It’s time to return to my

Goodbye Tangier 😁

It’s time to return to my little rustic home in Tarifa, tucked inside those massive ancient stone walls of the old city. 😁

I’m taking the same ferry service I arrived on, but in reverse. The process coming back is much simpler and less time spent in queues. 🚢

Upon arrival to the ferry port in Tangiers, which is right beside the Medina, line up to get your return ticket. I had already purchased the return fare when I left Spain, but was required to get an actual ticket for the date and time of my departure. 🎟️

Ticket procured, there is one last chance to buy a souvenir from the vendors set up right here. 🧿

Next walk towards the terminal and take the escalator upstairs. Here you will pass through security (just like at the airport). It’s then onto passport control to have your passport stamped as you are exiting Morocco. 🛂

Walk down the hall now to the covered ramp and wait to board. Same as in Spain, passengers board though the vehicle deck, deposit any large suitcases on the racks, and go up the single narrow staircase to the passenger lounge. 💺

Take a seat or have a meal from the cafeteria. No need to spend any time lining up for immigration unlike on the journey to Africa. Travelling this direction, you can enjoy the trip now matter how rocky 😂

To see the arrival into Tarifa Spain, go out onto the tiny smokers deck at the back of the ship. In true Tarifa fashion, you will be blown to bits by the local winds 💨🤣

Disembark thought the vehicle deck and enter the terminal. Now you will queue for the immigration officers who will stamp you back into the EU. One more security pass and you are now in beautiful Spain!

I’m so happy to be home. I love it here in Tarifa 😊

#ferryride #tangier #tangiertotarifa #lyfeabroad #traveltheworld #traveltipsandtricks #travelwriter #tarifaspain #morocco #frsferry #ferryfrommorocco #boatride #travelday

I went down to two meals a day while I’ve been v

I went down to two meals a day while I’ve been visiting Tangier, to save money. 🫣

As a budget traveller I need to cut corners and this little excursion was already costing me enough. 😁

One of my meals each day has been the ‘free’ hotel breakfast! Have a look at my views that greet me each morning 🤩

While I sip my Moroccan mint tea and enjoy eggs, pastries, olives and a little cheese, I stare at the grand mosque and the harbour 😁

The only downside is that smoking is allowed inside the restaurant 😞 uggg.

Anyways, it’s free food and I’m all for it. So I’m only paying for my dinners 👏🏻🍽️

#tangier #morocco #minttea #brekkie #breakfast #hotelbreakfast #lyfeabroad #travelbloggers #travelfood #budgeteating #budgettrip #budgettraveling #budgettraveller #solotravel #tangiermorocco #freebreakfast #cuttingcosts #foodisexpensive

Door hardware 😁💙 Morocco collection

Yes I’ve only been in Tangiers for a few days but I’ve amassed quite a large volume of door photographs 😝

What has fascinated me just as much is the antique hardware on some of the older wooden doors. 🚪

And of course the colour 🫣

#doors #doorphotography #doorhardware #lyfeabroad #travelblog #woodendoors #tangier #morocco #moroccanstyle #antiquedoorknob #doorlovers #doorhandle #doorlock #doordecor #blue #doorway #doorphoto

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