Temperature a delightful 26?

We docked at 8am and after security procedures were completed we were able to go ashore.
Historic, mysterious and romantic, the Spanish city of Cadiz is unlike any other.
Founded in about 1100BC, it is generally accepted as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in today’s Europe. But for the thin strip connecting it to the mainland to its south, Cadiz is an island of history and architecture that impresses at every turn through the streets of this charming ancient port. You will find a complex warren of streets, bustling bars and pretty beaches; it is difficult to know what to do or where to go first. Packed with historic sites, monuments and an excellent museum of art and archaeology, Cadiz is a draw for history buffs and those attracted by the arts.

For our group, we were met at the cruise terminal by our guide Helena, actually Danish by birth she visited Jerez (origin home of sherry, where Tio Pepe is made), met a charming Spaniard and fell in love. They both now live in Cadiz. She studied the language, graduated in Tourism and now escorts tourist around her must loved adopted homeland. She was delightful and she kept us on our toes with her phrasing, not always correct English but funny none-the-less.

Our first stop was 9am walk from the city centre to a tavern, tradition home of the flamenco and we were welcomed by the owner. We took up our seats around tables. It was a typical tavern, arched ceiling, very dark if not for the old chandler lights that hung from the vaulted timber ceiling. There was a stage with four chairs against the back wall. Our host brought to each table bottled water, took our drinks order, wine or beer were offered and Phil opted for beer, (at 9am, seemed like the right thing to do), I took the more mellow option and had a soft drink. Plates of ham, cheese and bread accompanied the drinks and the show commencement.

Two professional flamenco dancers, one male, one female, both dressed in traditional garments. The male, wore a white shirt semi-buttoned to reveal his handsome chest that as he danced and sweated added to his attraction. Over the shirt he wore a short black vest, black pants slightly flared from the knee, tapped boots highly polished. The beautiful female worn a long green/black spotted dress which showed off her lean body shape. Her dark long hair pulled up on top of her head and held with red flower. Her dress had long sleeves and the skirt flared so she could catch and swirl it about her body, as if enticing a bull, in this case, her male partner. She worn typical black dancing shoes with strap across the arch of her feet and tapped of course for full effect of olé.

The older male seated added vocals, the male to his left provided the music on his guitar and also sang traditional Spanish flamenco songs. Not a word could we understand however nothing was lost and it was enthralling and entertaining. A full 45mins they performed such was their stamina. We were told that the vocalist rose at 6am to exercise his voice for such an early performance. Our contribution was to clap with enthusiastic applause as they waved their hands and twisted their fingers with style and flare.
They would perform five times that day. Amazing, wonderful and authentic Spanish flamenco.

From there our guide, Helena walked us through the city, stopping at various points. Her descriptions were educational and interesting and at times very amusing.
Cadiz was the capital of Spain for a short time after Napoleon invaded though Cadiz was never conquered by Napoleon. A lot of its buildings were built in 18th century when it had the monopoly for Spanish/American trade so it was very wealthy during that time.
Christopher Columbus also resided in Cadiz for a time.

Rejoining the coach we were driven around the new Cadiz new Cadiz, along its very attractive beaches, past more modern residential and commercial buildings. Cadiz is not a large city, only something like 120,000 residents and although it attracts tourists, up to the present it hasn’t lost it’s unique charm…..sadly the locals fear it may get too big for itself as tourism is needed to boost the economy, and that can be the price they pay.
For us, at this time, it was wonderful.
We loved Cadiz …..pronounced with emphasis on first syllable
Kadith.