Tarragona

Persevere
Pat and Bruce
Mon 22 Aug 2011 19:08

41:06.44N 01:15.16E

 

22 August 2011

 

We left Barcelona early for the 48 mile trip to Tarragona.  We picked this simply to break up the trip and the marina looked secure from the guides.  Not a bad trip, of course motoring with the main sail out for a little while but with no wind it just banged around in the swells so we took it in.

 

Entering the marina was a little difficult simply because the entrance blends into the breakwater for the commercial harbor just behind.  But once up close no issue.  Entrance is a little zigzag to attempt to improve protection from southerly waves.  Most of the marina is occupied by full time residents but the outer wall has berths available, especially when the local head out to other places.  There are actually two marinas, the other is inside the commercial harbor and is dedicated to larger yachts.  Great website for it but when I looked at it there is much to be desired.  In fact it is effectively empty.  Apparently a Saudi bought the place and will bring more boats to it but for now it is barren.  I actually see no reason why a large yacht would come to it anyway as it is not close to Barcelona or Valencia in spite of the website comments.

 

Anyway Tarragona is a small town that is a mix of industrial sites, under-utilized commercial areas and an old town that is very nice for a one day visit.  The old town is very well kept with attempts to bring out the best in its long history.  As with other towns the Greeks, Romans, and others occupied the town through history. 

 

The down side to the place is all the restaurants serve the same food.  Not just a statement, they actually nearly all have the same picture menu composed of frozen pizzas, paellas, and a couple other dishes.  We looked at several places and decided that it was better to eat back on the boat.  They do have a few decent supermarkets for provisioning.  Just not enough tourist to really drive someone to open a better eatery.

 

However the marina and staff are very good.  Good security but not the nicest surrounding but they do attempt to keep everything clean.  Seems to be a place that got a lot of EU funds and now like Greece they can’t really support the infrastructure.

 

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Typical street in the old town.  Well kept.

 

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Cathedral at the top of the hill in the old town.  Large restoration underway.

 

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Walls of the cathedral entrance lined with statues.

 

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Part of the Roman legacy.  Restored nicely.

 

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Roman amphitheater along the water’s edge.  Again well restored with more work underway.  Nice view of the cargo ships anchored off.