I had a delicious paella lunch at an outdoor cafe on La Rambla Nova, followed by a rest and a read in my room. Once the lights flipped on, I walked along la balconi mediterraneo. The industrial port is a hike south and the train runs along the beach below. I passed some of the Roman ruins, ancient walls and sights that I planned to return to and savor the following day.
For dinner I found a cafe in an unassuming plaza near my hotel. I caught the tail end of a brass band performance, obviously local high-school age musicians. Lots of families, locals, some tourists. And my dinner included BROCCOLI, which is the first time I've seen that on the menu for ages! Of course I had to reward myself with some chocolate gelati before heading to bed and a fantastically sound sleep.
This place reminds me of Santa Monica 50 years ago, maybe Santa Barbara/Carpenteria thirty years ago. Some tourists, but most are Spaniards. Throngs of locals, little old ladies in colorful print dresses and elderly men in dress pants and tie, families, lots of children and pregnant women. The weather is fantastic. The beach, PERFECT! The access is limited due to the train tracks, so the beach is relatively uncrowded, especially compared with Tossa de Mar on a sunny day. The water is clear and warm with tiny but shapely waves. I loved watching the children playing in the ocean and in the sand, reminding me as usual of my own bambinos.
I toured the Roman amphitheater ruins, the crumbling Medieval walls, the fortress and took another million pictures. I hiked along the seaside cliffs on the northern peninsula and found a private cove. I returned later to swim and sun and was joined by just a handful of people. There's an established hiking trail along the coastline all the way to Tamarit, approximately three hours north. Despite the problems with the credit card company (don't get me started) and some challenges with understanding my travel options from the very friendly but not very knowledgeable ladies at the tourist office, I have had an absolutely superb stay here. The people-watching is the best and yes, I saw another older Spanish woman with PURPLE HAIR! I had lunch at an outdoor cafe and met some locals, two gay men, whom I conversed with in Spanish mas o menos.
I left Tarragona for Torredembarra north ten minutes by train on the Costa Daurada (Catalan for "gold coast"). On the menu, miles of beaches, more medieval castles and old fortresses, some Roman ruins and tons of local culture and delicious food. I'm getting fatter and tanner.