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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I have mentioned a second castle here in Tarifa a

I have mentioned a second castle here in Tarifa a few times now, but have yet to show it.

Here she is 😁

This is the hauntingly beautiful, Castle of Santa Catalina. 🌹

Each time I pass her I have to take a photo, she sits here like a sore thumb, so out of place. 😝

Her history is this. Prior to being built, there was a 16th century hermitage here, dedicated to Saint Catherine of Siena.

It later served as a lazaret, a medical facility for people suffering from leprosy.
🏥

In the early 1800’s, British engineers built a fort here during the Peninsular War.

Finally in 1933 this neo-gothic castle was built and used as a flag station. 🇪🇸 During the Spanish Civil War and WWII, military bunkers were built around the base of the castle and these remain today.

The castle is closed to visitors unfortunately.

There is something about it though, perched high on this peak, right beside the marina and the town. It’s structure is beautiful, and at sunrise show glows.

Catch her on a dark and stormy day though, and you would think you are seeing something out of a horror film, absolutely ghostly and spectacular 🤩

#castle #tarifa #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #spain #castlelove #traveltheworld #travelawesome #travelphotography #travelblogger #travelholic #travellife #traveldiaries #travelpics #travelphoto #travelmore #traveldeeper #travellingthroughtheworld #travelcommunity #travelinspiration

Been loving these coastal days, especially at sunr

Been loving these coastal days, especially at sunrise. It feels like the world is mine 😁🌊

I feel the safest when I’m in a wide open space, I can see all around me and there are no other humans. 😝

Just me and nature 🥰

#traveldestination #beachtime #lyfeabroad #travelblogger #tarifabeach #sunrise #beachvibes #seaside #coastaltown #spaintravel #spanishcoast #spanishcoastline #ocean #atlanticocean

My favourite windows from the little coastal Spani

My favourite windows from the little coastal Spanish town of Tarifa. 😊

Yesterday was doors, today these old windows. This is a quaint town, full of sweet and relaxed vibes. 💙

Now in the winter months, the town is void of tourists. The streets are slow to wake up and window shutters stay closed until mid morning. 🪟

It’s then, when the sun has fully risen, that these eyes into homes are opened to let in a few hours of fresh salty sea air. 🌊

I love windows, almost as much as I love doors. And for the same reasons. 😊

You know I’m getting ready to leave a destination when I start showing you my collections like these 😝

Yes I’m leaving, my time here has come to and end. I’m sad.

#windows #windowphotography #lyfeabroad #travelblogger #oldwindows #traveldeeper #beautifulwindows #tarifa #spain

Sculpture on the isthmus between Tarifa and her is

Sculpture on the isthmus between Tarifa and her island. 🥾

There are two bronze sculptures on the land bridge. Their signs have been eroded by the wind and salty air. 🌊

One is a pair of hiking boots, with poles and a backpack resting on the ground. Perhaps signifying the lengthy hiking trails that encompass the Mediterranean countries along this coastline.

The other are two hands about to clasp in friendship. This one signifies the bond between Africa and Europe, two continents only separated by 14km of water here. 👏🏻

The isthmus was built in 1808 to connect the mainland of Spain with tiny Isla de las Palomas, or Island of the Doves. 🕊️

This island is sacred ground, used by the Phoenicians as a burial site around 800BC.

Later, in 960 AD, the muslims used the island as a quarry to built Tarifa citadel and its walls.

After the Middle Ages, a battery was built here and then the beautiful lighthouse. 🚨

During the middle of the 20th century the Ministry of Defense used the island for barracks. Afterwards these were repurposed as a detention centre for ‘foreigners in irregular situations.’

At the end of the isthmus, just before the island, one crosses an old stone bridge. When the tide is out far enough, I can clamour down the rocks and walk this sand bar, under that bridge, peering up at the fortifications.

The island is closed to visitors. I see police there each morning. They let a group of local fishermen in through the gate then promptly lock it behind them. 🔐

Yes I did ask if I could go explore the island and was told no, it’s closed 😝 Can’t blame a gal for trying 🤷‍♀️😂

Such an interesting part of Spain in so many ways. I love it here.

#tarifa #tarifaspain #southernspain #lyfeabroad #travelwriting #traveldestination #traveldeeper #isladelaspalomas #tarifaisland #isthmus #hiking #friendship #spain #spanishhistory #isladetarifa #island #travelspain #traveleurope #sculpture #bronze #history

Times like these are when I’m checked out 😝 m

Times like these are when I’m checked out 😝 my airplane mode ✈️

Hiking with abandon on a Spanish countryside, big blue sky above me, warm Mediterranean sunshine in my face.

Slowly meandering, daydreaming, thinking of all the things I’m grateful for. 🥰

Being fully immersed in nature, feeling alive 😊

I’m leaving this place soon and I’m sure gonna miss it 🥺

#southernspain #coastalspain #lyfeabroad #travelblog #livingoverseas #travelslow #travelfulltime #travellife #airplanemode #hiking #hikingadventures #spanishcoast #traveleurope #visitspain #atpeace #atpeacewithmyself

A carrousel of my favourite doors in Tarifa 😁

A carrousel of my favourite doors in Tarifa 😁

This is a small medieval town in southern Spain. The most southern point of continental Europe in fact. 🇪🇸

Some of these doors have been in place for centuries. 😊

Door 3 encompasses a marble column from when the Romans had a settlement here more than 2,000 years ago. 🤩

Doors 5 & 11 have the original peep holes 👀

Door 17 is the entrance to the old jail cells.

Door 19 is from a large fishing boat in the harbour. 🐠

I love all of these doors. Some for their rich patina, others for their vibrant colour. One for its quirky door handle. 🛹

Doors are mysterious. They are the barrier to secrets, private places, spaces of safety. The importance of a door is paramount. 🚪

No matter the destination, I always have a collection of door photos to remember each one 😊

#doors #doorphotography #olddoors #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #tarifa #spanishdoors #spanish #door #doordesign #doorhardware #doortraits #doorlovers

This is my Tarifa 🥰 A little ancient stone city

This is my Tarifa 🥰 A little ancient stone city in the most Southern corner of Spain.

I love her.

I’m leaving soon but, before I go, I want you to see her through my eyes just a little more. 😊

She is sweet, peaceful, bright, lovely, safe, charming and gentle. Is it any wonder this feels like home? 😝

It’s time for me to say goodbye and that means a few photo dumps. I did realize how many pictures I had taken during my stay. 📸

What a magical little place. 😊

#tarifa #tarifaspain #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #slowtravel #fulltimetraveller #traveldestination #traveldeeper #travelspain #europetravel #oldtown #oldcity #oldtowneurope #europelove #spanishvibes #ilovespain #beautifultown #whitewashed #spanishtown

A beach bum at heart 😁🌊 That’s what I am.

A beach bum at heart 😁🌊 That’s what I am.

Livin life the way I wanna, here on the southern coast of Spain 😝

I don’t know that I would want to be here in the summer, I hear the crowds are wild. But now? In the winter? It’s beachin’ bliss. 🤩

#beachlife #beachbliss #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #traveldestination #travelspain #beachreel #tarifa #southernspain #beachbum #kitesurfing #surftown #travelblogger #ilovethebeach

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