November | 2018 | Ray and Shelley's Retirement Adventures

We went for a nice leisure walk throughout the city of Alicante on Sunday. The weather was nice and warm at 21 degrees and the sun was shining bright. We began our walk by heading towards the coastline of the city. We came to a lovely walking trail which had orange trees along the path.

Orange trees along the walking trail in Alicante

We followed the walkway until we came to a beautiful water feature along the trail.

We had to stop and take a selfie and enjoy the moment.

Shelley and Ray at a water feature along the walkway in Alicante

We then walked along the waterfront on the beautiful boardwalk area of the city. The boardwalk has rows of palm trees that align the walkway. The views from the boardwalk were spectacular, you could see the castle and all the boats in the marina.

We walked along the boardwalk until we reached the beach area. We could see the dates on the date palm trees and people were enjoying the beach and walking along the shoreline.

Postiguet beach in Alicante with date palm trees

We walked along the beach walkway and came across a tent which was set up along the walkway. They were doing a fundraiser and selling Paella and drinks. People were lined up to sample some of the traditional Spanish food.

Tent on the beach walkway selling paella and drinks.

We continued our walk until we reached the end of the beach area and then decided to walk along the “Explanada de España” which runs parallel to the marina and port. The walkway on the explanada is made up of 6.600.000 marble tiles. The three different colours of tiles form a unique pattern.

The explanada de España in Alicante

We walked along the explanada and came across an area where people were gathered around listening to music. As we got closer we could see that people were also dancing on the explanada. We stopped for a few minutes to check it out.

After watching the dancing for a few minutes we continued our walk along the explanada and came across a vender selling roasted “castañas” nuts.

Shelley buying some roasted nuts at a vender on the Expanada in Alicante

We had to sample them so we stopped and bought a small “cone” of chesnuts. They were very tasty and the shell came off very easily.

The chestnut tasted similar to a roasted potato and was quite enjoyable. We continued our walk along the explanada and enjoyed the day. It was a great way to spend a leisure Sunday in Alicante.

“Hasta Luego and tiene un buen dia”

We took a trip to the historic city of Cartagena which was founded around 227 BC. Our friend Felipe came along to be our tour guide and took us to some of the sites.

The city is known for some unique and well-preserved Roman ruins. We came to the Roman theater which was the main symbol of growth and wealth during the Roman times.

There some interesting aspects to the theater including the design for the flow of people which is still being copied and incorporated in large arenas around the world.

The view from the top of the Roman theater in Cartagena

We walked through the theater looking at the ruins.

Shelley, Gerry, Michelle and Felipe in an area of the Roman theater

After looking at the Roman Theater we went to another Roman site in Cartagena called Barrio del foro .

Excavations that took place in 2008 on the southern slope of Cerro del Molinete discovered a complete Roman block.

Excavated barrio del foro Romano in Cartagena

It has the remains of two buildings, one is a Roman bath complex from the 1st century AD.

Remains of the Roman Bathhouse in Cartagena

We walked through the roman bath ruins with Felipe and he explained the way the bath house used wood fire to heat the baths and used convection heat to help move the water throughout the baths.

Shelley, Michelle, Gerry and Felipe in the barrio del foro Romano

The second Roman ruin uncovered in the barrio del foro was an Atrium building, where religious banquets were celebrated in the 1st century AD.

Shelley in the Atriun roman ruins in Cartagena

We walked through the Atrium and looked at the ruins. There was even some remains of the original floor which was a herringbone style.

Herringbone flooring in Roman ruins in Cartagena

There were even some clay wine containers which was used to ship wine on sail ships.

Wine clay pots used for the shipping of wine in sail ships

We then went to see another Roman site which was under development. Felipe was able to get us inside to see the site before it was completed.

Felipe in a Roman ruin under development.

There are many beautiful restored and conserved Roman ruins in Cartagena. We enjoyed walking through the ruins and imaging what life was like during the Roman times.

“adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Life is too short to wait for adventure!