Ronda

Yesterday was very tiring cycling so I happily decided to give myself a break and stay for a couple of days in Ronda. The hostel Ronda Sol offered cheap and clean lodging only 200 meters from the Plaza de Toros (which is believed to be the cradle of spanish bullfighting) and spectacular Puente Nuevo.

Finished in 1793, being 98 meters in height, the bridge spans the gorge of the Tajo and allowed the city to expand beyond its boundary imposed by nature.

On friday afternoon I meet german touring-cyclist Till who is on his way from Morocco to Madrid and stays in the same hostel. He has got vast cycle-touring experience, mostly in eastern european and baltic countries, Turkey and the Caucasus. As you will understand I could not resist to pick his brain extensively over a couple of cañas. If you are interested in first hand info on his tours and want to see some great fotos, have a look at his website.

Saturday morning I got visit from Madrid and spent the weekend exploring Ronda with Nieves.

We enjoy the great scenic views onto the surrounding sierras, visit the Casa del Rey Moro and the adjoining mines that lead down narrow and slippery stairs to the level of river Tajo, we cross the ancient bridges and gasp at fortifications and of course had some nice tapas rondeñas.

A lot of businesses are carrying the name of the german poet Rainer Maria Rilke (who spent the winter of 1912 in Rondas Hotel Reina Victoria -his former room resembles now a small museum). Rilkes published despricptions of the dramatic clifftop-setting of Ronda must have helped to transform it into a must-see site for tourists visiting the Costa del Sol. Thus, from mid-morning to early afternoon, the city is plagued by tourists groups arriving mostly by bus.

So, after a three days rest and quite a dose of sightseeing and legstreching away from the bike, on monday morning I ll take the road towards Malaga, pay a short visit to Borja and then buy a ticket for the ferry to spanish enclave Melilla. From there I will cross into Morocco.