23 June 2015
Madrid
After a bit of mucking around we finally made our way to Madrid and met up with the rest of the tour group. We just kicked around at the hotel for a while and then went out for a reception dinner in the old part of Madrid.
The following morning, we went for a tour to Segovia which is famous for having the oldest intact Roman aqueduct in place. This type of construction is truly amazing. We then went on to have a look at the fairy-tale castle in the same town - the local tour guide reckoned that Walt Disney got his inspiration from this castle.
When we got back from the tour some of us went to the bullfights. It was good to see the pomp and ceremony attached to this occasion, but we all knew that the bulls didn’t stand much of a chance. I’m pretty sure I won’t be going to another one.
Madrid To Granada
We had to cover a few miles today to get to Granada. The countryside is very dry, and barren looking and is covered with olive trees everywhere you look. Our first stop was at Toledo which was famous for the making of swords and weaponry back in the day.
We went to a demonstration on sword making and steel inlaid with gold or silver to make jewellery. We were then ushered into the showroom where we could buy all sorts of goodies.
The local guide then took us for a tour through the narrow streets pointing out architectural highlights. We made our way to the Church of St Thomas which has on display a masterpiece of El Greco called “The Burial of Count Orgaz”.
Off we went on our way to Granada via La Manchu country made famous by Don Quixote and his sidekick Poncho. It turns out that poor old Don Quixote was loco, and Poncho was always pissed.
Made it to the hotel where we had dinner and a fairly early night.
Granada To Costa del Sol
The internet here is very poor so I am unable to upload any photos.
We were picked up in the morning by our local specialist guide and taken to the Alhambra Palace. This was built by the Moors in the 14th century and looks magnificent even though it has had a few renovations over the centuries. All but 1 of the stained-glass windows were destroyed by the French when they took over in about 1812.
When the Moors were in charge, they had 22 sheiks rule the place. This is a very high number and our guide said that they had to be fast not just the oldest son to inherit. Apparently, they kept on bumping each other off to take control.
This place is a citadel with a number of palaces on the 30 acres. There is a massive number of fountains and water features in the complex installed by the Moors which still work today. It is based on gravity - amazing feat of engineering.
In the afternoon we went to the village of Mijas which is in the mountains behind Coastal del Sol. Typical Mediterranean village whitewashed and blue trim - very photogenic. The tourist trick here is mule taxis. Lucky for them I felt like walking because I would have squashed any that I got on.
From here we went to a restaurant on the Mediterranean and had a fish feast while watching the other tourists walk along the promenade.
25 June 2015
On The Road To Morocco
We left Coastal del Sol and headed for the port to catch the ferry to Morocco. On the way we stopped at a lookout from where we could see the Rock of Gibraltar, Spain and Africa - surreal. We landed in Tangiers and picked up our local guide who proceeded to take us to the rich part of Tangiers - palaces, mansions etc.
We headed for Fes where we will be spending 2 nights. The countryside is very dry, but they seem to be able to grow plenty of food and raise animals with the use of irrigation.
Passed through a number of villages which, by our standards, are very dirty and ill-kept. The fields are covered with rubbish which is mostly plastic.
Made it to Fes after a very long haul on the coach and, because of Ramadan were asked to stay inside the hotel while the locals were breaking their fast. Apparently other tourists have been robbed in the past during this time because nearly everyone, police included, eat as soon as the sun goes down.
Off to check out old Fes tomorrow.
26 June 2015
2nd Day In Fes
We started the day fairly early with our 2 local guides who took us to see the King’s Palace which covers about 30 acres. Naturally we were not allowed to go inside but the building is very impressive. From here we went to the old fort overlooking Fes and is still operational. It is from here that they fire the cannon every morning and night to let the people know when Ramadan starts and finishes.
Next was the highlight of the day - off to the Medina which is the marketplace or bazaar. Because it is Ramadan the shops do not open until around 11:00am thank goodness, because it has very narrow streets and the only means of transporting goods is by mule or hand cart which do not stop for anyone. As we walked around the medina, we were hassled by hawkers which becomes very annoying after a while. There are tourism police in plain clothes who keep an eye on these guys and drag them off when they become too annoying.
Imagine this, the shops are starting to open - fresh food stalls, butcher shops, fresh fish shops (nowhere near the ocean) and none have refrigeration. The smells are horrendous.
Naturally we were taken to the handmade rug shop where Ali Baba put on a display of carpets for us, gave us all a cup of mint tea and then the salesmen arrived with the hard sell. We stood strong and didn’t buy any.
Last night we went to a restaurant in the better part of the medina for traditional Moroccan food and were entertained by belly dancers and a magician. It was a fun night.
Today we catch the Marrakesh Express.
Fes To Marrakech
It was a very long drive to Marrakesh, and we were all pleased to get off the coach and into our hotel. We went to a local restaurant for dinner via the market square - thank God for Coles. The sights and smells were enough to put you off your meal, but we persevered and enjoyed the entertainment.
The following day was spent going to a Berber village and being shown through a typical household. The lady of the house prepared mint tea for us all and fed us with some homemade treats. I am getting a taste for mint tea - go figure.
The rest of the day involved a city tour and then back to the hotel to sit around and in the pool to relax. Did I mention that it is bloody hot here.
Some of the travelers have succumbed to Moroccan Belly - I told them to brush their teeth with beer, but who listens to me.
The highlight of Morocco is……….. there are none really.
Off to Tangiers today.
Marrakech To Tangiers
Today was the longest drive we have on this tour - it was a killer. On the journey we called in at Casablanca and stopped for a quick snack along the beachfront. There are a couple of areas available to the public but most of the beach is taken up by private clubs. Then moved on out and called at Rick’s Café (not the real one) and set sail for Rabat.
We stopped in Rabat to look at a mausoleum of one of the first rulers but were not allowed in because some dignitary was going to attend - we think it was the King but could not confirm it.
After that disappointment it was back on the bus for Tangiers and dinner at the hotel. Tomorrow, we head back to Spain - yippee.
Tangiers To Seville
Pretty uneventful day - caught the ferry from Tangiers back to Spain and started another massive road trip to Seville. We decided not to go on the option tapas tour and do our own thing.
After a couple of drinks at the bar we joined with some other couples and wandered off towards the bullring to find a restaurant for dinner. We needed to find some bars along the way because it is so hot here (convenient excuse). I think the temperature was around 40C at 8:30pm and we found a nice restaurant opposite the bullring.
As we walked in the heads of bulls were mounted along one wall. Each bull had a plaque underneath stating when it fought and also that it came second. We had our meal and headed back to the restaurant via the people's mall which was packed with locals enjoying their night out. This happens every night in Spain, and I do not know how they keep it up. I guess the siesta every afternoon helps. Might introduce this concept at Energex when I get back.
1 July 2015
2nd Day Seville
We started the day with a tour through the site of the 1929 Expo where the pavilions were permanent structures and are now used as either Government buildings or schools. We then moved on to a tour of the Royal Palace (another palace) which is still used by the royal family when they are in Seville.
We had a break in the Jewish quarter before going to the Seville Cathedral which was completed 100 years before St Peters Basilica in the Vatican. This building originally started out as a mosque from the time the Moors ruled this land.
From here we went to the Spanish Plaza, the building used as the Spanish pavilion during the 1929 Expo. This place is massive and uses a lot of bricks and tiles. It is now used as a place for concerts and exhibitions.
This evening, we had dinner and a tour of an olive oil farm just outside of Seville. The farm has been in the same family for approx. 125 years and now has state of the art machinery for extracting the oil from the olives. The dinner was excellent.
From here we went back to the bullring in Seville where we enjoyed an evening of Flamenco dancing and music. I always thought the this was just a lot of heel stomping but there is a lot of singing involved as well. The guitar playing was excellent.
Off to Lisbon tomorrow - hopefully the temperatures stay down.
Seville To Lisbon
Here we are in sunny Portugal. It was a fairly uneventful drive from Seville passing through some nice countryside. Along the way we passed several bull fighting farms - these bulls have a good life until they go the ring.
Arrived in Lisbon early afternoon and we were let loose on the city for a couple of hours. We found that the architecture is very similar between Paris, Madrid and Lisbon with very similar houses.
That evening we were taken by ferry to a seafood restaurant where we had a feast. Straight back to the hotel and the party continued for a while.
The following morning, we were taken to see the sights of Portugal which means a number of monuments around the city. From here we went to the seaside area and had lunch and a bit of a look around and then off to Sintra which is the site of the summer palace of the former royal family.
Lisbon To Salamanca
It was another long day on the coach today for our trip to Salamanca. On the way we called in a Fatima for a break and to have a look at the Shrine of Fatima. This is where the Virgin Mary appeared to 3 children in 1924 and has been a pilgrimage site since.
We eventually made our way to Salamanca where we were taken to the Plaza Mayor for free time. We were set the challenge of finding an astronaut and a frog which had been carved into the doorway of the cathedral and the University. It took us a few hours, but we found them - pictures attached. We then proceeded to have some dinner and a few drinks in one of the many outdoor restaurants.
We went back to Plaza Mayor just before sunset (10:15) to watch the square light up - and it did. The place was full of locals and tourists, and it felt like a carnival. Apparently, it is like this every night which proved the worth of siesta. I’m not sure that I could live like this because I like my sleep too much.
Tomorrow sees us head back to Madrid and wind up our tour of Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Next stop South of France.
Salamanca To Madrid
Last day of the tour and we are on our way back to Madrid. On the way we called in to the oldest walled city in Europe - Avila. We had a quick look around and confirmed that it was old.
Made it back to Madrid with some free time and had a short walk around the city center (it was bloody hot). Spain is on track to have the hottest July on record, and we had to be there for some of it.
That night we went to our farewell dinner and the restaurant was right in the middle of where the Gay Parade was being held. There were people and police everywhere.
Back to the hotel and we said our goodbyes over a couple of beers.
Excellent. Good job Jorgo
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