Day 9 Granada to Orgivia SUNDAY 21 July

Day 9 Granada to Orgivia SUNDAY 21 July

Another day without built in breakfast so off we ventured to find a place to eat.Next to the frozen yogurt place we found a breakfast place. Loved watching the guy chucking the fresh squeezed oranges into the machine for juice! We returned to the hotel and put our luggage into the storage room. Though we had to check out by 11.00AM(!!!) the car remains in the garage FREE until 2:00 PM. So off we trekked to the Cathedral and Arabic market. Usually I explore cathedrals as I am blown away by the age and architecture but this was the first one this trip. Granada is a beautiful city and the cathedral remarkable but we could not walk around the different side chapels, I was a little disappointed.

We found the Arabic market behind the cathedral and strolled through, admiring the buildings above the alleys and the vibrant colors and fabrics and leather goods. Problem was every stall had just about the same thing! We had refreshments in the center plaza ( also known as drinkies) and hobbled back to get the car and head out to Orgiva. I say hobbled, as our feet and legs are still suffering from yesterday’s exertions!

It was Ian’s turn to drive. Just before Lanjaron there is a pull in area next to the big wind turbines and the kids were blown away by the size. You don’t usually have the opportunity to get that close and they are pretty amazing. The Spanish are very committed to wind and solar power and I am always fascinated to see the windmills marching across the high hills. Ian and Cathie took some great pictures!

We had lunch in Lanjaron. It was a huge HUGE salad and lamb chops, quite delicious! Then on again to Orgiva and Hotel Taray Botanico. We asked about Eladio the owner and discovered that he had retired and he and his wife live in Granada! The last time we were here his daughter was kind of running things, she was pregnant and as a Flight attendant for Iberia could not fly. Apparently, none of the kids wanted the Hotel so it was sold. We were disappointed to say the least. Anyway, we checked in and got settled and within minutes we were in the pool. We were ready for some relaxing time! The Alpujarra mountains surround us and it is wonderfully peaceful….sigh!!

DAY 8, 20 July, Saturday Granada Day 2

DAY 8, 20 July, Saturday  Granada Day 2

No breakfast here at the Abadia Hotel, so the clan trooped off to the corner bar for toastadas, juice, and coffees/hot chocolate. It was sufficient and very continental. Ian, Cathie, Zoey and I walked up to the taxi stand and headed up, up, up to the Alhambra! Plan for the day is to visit the Alhambra with Paul remaining in town catching up the blog bullets for later writing. I tell you, he has the easy job!

We went early to beat the heat and Jane had to stand in line to get the proper tickets. After about 15 minutes, I emerged victorious! There had been a glitch with the computer but I wish they had explained that instead of letting us stand in line as they joked and laughed  while we glared at them through the window! There are specific times to go through the Alhambra and because of the delay we were told not stand in line but explain and they would let us through, which they did.

The Alhambra was originally built as a fortress in AD 889 on the remains of Roman fortifications, that fell into disrepair and these ruins were renovated by Nasrid emir Mohammed Al -Ahmar of the emirate of Granada. The history of this building is so complex and so important I cannot address it here. It has seen Sultans, Kings and Queens, squatters and even Columbus who received royal endorsement for his expedition to the New World. It has been magnificent and in ruins and is now being restored to it rightful place as a magnificent historic building. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and if you are ever fortunate visit, bring your most comfortable shoes and a lot of stamina! Actually, go to Google and look it up, then look at Ian and Cathies wonderful pictures!

In the meantime, Paul wrote blog files, mailed post cards, found water, and killed time until the gaggle returned at 1400 hrs. He waited by the taxi stand, in the shade and watched the world go by until we returned. After descending from the magnificence we had a Siesta until reconvening at 7:30 PM. The bus is at 9.30 and we are going to eat beforehand, a bit early by Spanish standards!

We boarded the bus at 09:30 at the Hotel Condor, for the Albaicin area of Granada and the  flamenco show. It is called a micro bus and small it is. These ancient streets wont take anything much larger. Our Guide was Ignacio and our driver Daniel. We did a short walking tour of the area, it is very traditional.As explained to us , the Arabs led there lives around their patioed homes but the Andalusians socialize around their Plazas , lovely restored old houses with narrow passageways which people still managed at times to drive down! 

We headed to the restaurant / flamenco place in Sacromonte which is the traditional , original caves area at 10.30 and waited with breathless anticipation! We were seated right in the front row and Oleed and clapped with enormous enthusiasm. They were very talented and Paul made a new girlfriend! One of the dancers had seen him photographing and asked for the pictures. He was only too happy to oblige.

Minibus driver, Daniel expertly back up  to the passing zones for on coming buses, One minibus and One full sized (huge) bus, successfully passed each without scrapes. Ian gasped and sucked in his breathe everytime we turned a corner. It was a virtuoso driving performance. Bravo Daniel!

They dropped us close to the hotel and we were ready to crash as it was 1AM.Exhausted!

DAY 6 , Cordoba 2nd Day, 18 July 2019 THURSDAY

DAY 6 , Cordoba 2^nd Day, 18 July 2019 THURSDAY

After a very late but magical evening it was kind of tough to get up but 0830-0930 free open time for the public at the Mesquita Mosque/Cathedral. This amazing building was built on the site of a Visigoth church in 784, according to the traditional account.(so I guess I was wrong when I said there was nothing done by the Visigoths) Anywhooo it is incredible especially since it encompasses the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion! Perhaps it was a blessing because as one conquerer follows another they tend to destroy what came before, this way the Mosque survived. Hundreds of marble pillars and arches make this an amazing experience.

Breakfast was late after our walkabout in the Mesquita but no worries off we went to catch the Hop on/Hop Off bus for a tour around the city, simply to see the difference between the old and new city and quite frankly because we were still pooped from our previous adventures. Nothing wrong with sitting down for a while! After the long tour we went on the micro bus through the narrow streets of the old town. The bus driver would interrupt the canned recital to point out doors which led to lovely interior patios. Every part of Spain has its own customs and traditions, they are all wonderful to me. I know my country has hundreds, perhaps thousands of years of history but Spain was invaded by even more than Scotland! I’m not sure why it moves me so much but for some reason it resonates with me.

To save the feet we hopped on the bus again to the Victoria Market for lunch. The kids were blown away by the concept. Many different kiosks with different food and drinks.  Nachos, chicken for Zoey, Mussels, and Ian+Paul had a barbecued Ribeye over charcoal Aged beef weighing 16 oz. with steak fries. We moseyed back to the hotel with a little disagreement, so Zoey and I took off on our own, leaving those behind to take their own path!

We had a lovely siesta time with meet up for walk about again at 7:30. We went to our now “local” on the corner but still NO marching band in Roman costumes. Last time Paul and I were here we were entertained by a marching band. Paul was convinced they would appear again!

Dinner was up the street from the hotel at Los Carlos a varied menu of offerings, allow Paul to enlighten you: Ian had pizza with 4 cheeses, Zoey sausage with eggs, Ternera for Cathie, Paul had Calamares, Tortilla Frances for Jane. I have no idea how he remembers all this stuff!

We had another late walk about and down to the river for a free concert under the full moon. There was a group on the roof next to the city gate/arch which was projected on to a huge screen. After watching for a while, I left the kids and went back to the hotel. Another wonderful day, long, tiring but full of sights, history, food, music and soft balmy nights. Sigh………..!