Category Archives: Spain

Spain

Food trucks in Alicante

There was a “Street Food Market” event here on the weekend in Alicante. We decided to head down on Sunday and check it out. It was being held in the Plaza Seneca.

Shelley at the Plaza Seneca in Alicante

We walked down to the plaza and were surprised to see rows of different types of food trucks and a beer pavilion with picnic tables.

Some of the food trucks in Plaza Seneca

We walked through the rows of food trucks checking them out before deciding what to have for our meal. It was a difficult decision because of the many options available and the great smells coming from different trucks.

Different food trucks in Plaza Seneca.

Ray found a food truck that was selling pulled pork and he decided to have a pulled pork sandwich.

Pulled pork signs at one of the food trucks
Ray ordering his pulled pork sandwich

Shelley decided to try a different food truck and ordered a veggie burger.  We picked up our food and went to the picnic table to enjoy it.

Shelley with her veggie burger.

We enjoyed our food truck meal and had a great Sunday in the Plaza Seneca in Alicante.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Enrique Mendoza Wine day

Enrique Mendoza winery is considered one of the better wines in the Alicante Region. Each year they have a weekend where you can buy a ticket and tour the inner sanctum of the winery. We decided to go with some friends and take part in the event. We bought out tickets which were expensive and limited to 250 per day and set out for a day of wine adventure.

Enrique Mendoza Wine ticket
Tram Station at 6:30am

The day began early because of the distance we needed to travel using the transit systems. We were at the Tram station at 6:30 am waiting for the tram.

The Tram to Benidrom

We took the tram to Benidorm where we disembarked and then took a train to the town of Alfàs Del Pi. This small town is located at the foot of the Serra Gelada mountain. We began our walk up the mountain to the winery.

Walking along the sidewalk in the town of Alfàs Del Pi

We continued walking our way up the mountain towards the winery. The views and scenery were beautiful so we stopped to take a selfie and enjoy the moment.

Shelley and Ray on the way up to the Enrique Mendoza Winery

We continued up the mountain and finally came to the winery.

Reaching the Enrique Mendoza winery
Lineup for entrance to the winery

The main entrance was lined up with people getting into the winery. We joined the queue and waited our turn to enter the winery. Once we entered the winery we explored the grounds for a while.

Wine barrels set up for people to use as tables.
Sampling area for different wines of Enrique Mendoza

We decided to go and take part is some of the wine education sessions.

One of the wine cellar in Enrique Mendoza Winery
Ray and Pepe Mendoza-winemaker
Samples of wine being served in the wine class

We learned about the different aspects of wine making and the different grapes, soil, temperature etc. There was even an area set up to smell the different aromas of wine. 

Aroma sampling containers for the smells of different wines.
Shelley trying the different aromas of wine

After the wine class, we decided to take a break and enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese tray.

Christine, Sonja and Shelley enjoying some snacks and wine.

We enjoyed the food and wine throughout the day. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time with our friends.

Marcelo, Ray, Shelley, Sonja, Paco, Christine at the Enrique Mendoza

After sampling different wines and enjoying some food we headed back home. It was a long day but a very enjoyable time.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Procession in Santa Cruz

We had the opportunity to see the “Procesión de Santa Cruz” on Holy Wednesday (March 28, 2018) from a great spot. We were invited to watch the parade from the balcony at our friends home. They live in the heart of Santa Cruz and on the main route of the procession.

The view from the parade route in the area where we were situated.

We enjoyed time visiting with our friends before the start of the procession. I could see on the street below large crowds of people lining up to get a good spot to watch the parade.

Ray on the balcony overlooking the route of the procession

The procession began with a band of Romans marching and playing music.

Roman guards playing music in the procession
Procession of band dressed on Roman attire

The procession in Santa Cruz includes a long history and tradition. The “floats” are carried by approximately 30 people who are chosen for the honour. The weight of the “Paso” or float is approximately 1500 lbs or more depending on the specific paso.

The paso of Jesus on the cross

We watched as they carried the different “pasos” down the narrow and steep stairs of Santa Cruz. It was amazing to watch just how hard and difficult it was.

The Paso being carried through the narrow street of Santa Cruz

There was a paso of the Virgin Mary which was carried by only women.

Virgin Mary paso carried by women in the procession
Touching of a paso as it goes by in the procession

There is a belief that if you can touch one of the pasos in the procession it will bring you luck for the year. Many people reach out and touch them as they go by.

People dress in Black and wear veils to “Mourn” during the procession. They wear elaborate black clothing and some cry and moan as they go through the procession.

People dress in black and “mourn” in the procession

Even the young children take part in the procession.

A Child dressed in traditional mourning clothing for the procession

We stayed and watched the entire procession from the balcony and enjoyed the time with friends.  At around 11 pm the procession and floats returned on the same route. We stayed and watched it for a second time coming up the street. It was amazing to see the amount of effort and work it took to get the floats through the narrowest section of the street. Bellow is a video of some of the highlights of the procession.

It was a great experience to watch the procession from such a great vantage point.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Placa de Mestre D Francisco Llopis

We were walking down some of the old streets of Calpe and came across a small outdoor classroom called “Placa de mestre D Francisco Llopis”

Small outdoor classroom in the old streets of Calpe

We decided to go in and take a look at the classroom, It was very unique with tiled walls and benches.

Open arches surrounding the classroom

Each of the three tiled benches had a different table design. Each one was a specific board game layout.

Ceramic benches and table
ceramic tiled benches with a centre table with board game design

In addition to the tables, there was a chalkboard and a map of Spain displayed on the wall.

Map of Spain and Blackboard in the outdoor classroom

The map of Spain was made with painted ceramic tile and was detailed with images of the mountains and rivers.

Ceramic painted tiles of the Map of Spain with mountain ridges and rivers

It was a great classroom where students could enjoy the outdoor breeze and the shade on a hot Spanish day. It was neat spot and we are glad we stopped to check it out.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

A walk along the Boardwalk in Calpe.

We took a walk along the sea front walkway in Calpe exploring the coastline. The scenery along the walkway was beautiful with stunning views of the sea and mountains.

Walkway along the Sea in Calpe with a view of Benidorm in the distance

We walked along the walkway and came across the remains of a Roman fish holding system.

An old Roman fish holding area in Calpe

They captured fish in this area by the use of controlled water flow with a dam type system, letting water in and out as needed.

Ray took a walk down to the base of the fish holding area to take a closer look.

Ray on the stairs leading to the Roman fish holding area

We continued walking towards the rock of Calpe, known as “Peñón de Ifach” It is a stunning 332 meter high limestone outcrop that is the iconic symbol of Calpe and the area.

View of the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe

We eventually reached the port of Calpe with fishing boats docked there. We went to explore the port area.

Shelley at the port of Calpe near one of the fishing boats.

We could see fishermen unloading their catch of the day. We went over to take a closer look at some of the different fish and crustaceans.

Fishermen unloading their boat with the catch of the day

They had different containers with fish and crustaceans which they were unloading. We watched each container as they loaded them onto a pallet.

Carefully loading containers of the day’s catch onto the pallet

The containers were carefully sorted and the fish were placed in rows. This is in order for the buyer to get a good perspective of the quality and quantity of fish in the container.

Fish carefully placed and sorted in the container

There were containers of interesting crustaceans being loaded onto the pallet.

Containers of crustaceans loaded onto the pallet.
Close up view of the crustaceans

After watching them load the pallet we went into the fish auction area to check it out.

A pallet of assorted fish and crustaceans going to the fish auction in Calpe

There were bleachers with buyers from restaurants and businesses who could see the containers of fish for auction. They would bid and buy a selected container.

Fish auction in Calpe
Fish auction area in the port of Calpe

After looking around the port and the fish auction we headed out to the boardwalk. We could see different store fronts with displays of fish for sale. One in particular caught our attention, it was called Canadá, which translates to mean a narrow valley in Spanish.

Store front at the port de Calpe

We went over to check out some of the fish and different things they had for sale. There were pre-made meals set up on display for purchase.

Fish on display for sale at the port of Calpe

We walked around looking at the different stores selling fish before heading home. It was a very interesting and enjoyable day.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”