Tag Archives: Chaput foot prints

Spain

Tour of a working Spanish Submarine

The other day we had a unique opportunity to see a functioning Spanish naval submarine. The vessel was docked at the marina and we were part of a small select group of people who were given the opportunity to have a tour.

We arrived at the pier and gathered with some other people before being met by an officer of the crew.

Ray and Shelley in front of the submarine at the Alicante Marina

The officer took us in small groups onto the top of the submarine. He explained some of the history and some of the details about the submarine.

The  Agosta Class submarine is 67 meters longs and displaces 1760 tons submerged. It is able to descend up to 300 meters. There are 5 officers and 36 submariners assigned to the submarine. There are only two toilets on the entire submarine and they can remain underwater for up to one month before resurfacing.

He also advised us that we could not take any photos while inside the submarine because it was an active navy vessel.

Ray with others on the deck of the submarine

There was an area on the deck of the submarine with some tubes inserted into it. The officer explained that these were the counter measures for combat situations. There were some counter measures which sent out false positives for sonar making it look like multiple submarines. There were other counter measures which caused flares for heat sensors and other types as well.

Counter measures on the submarine.

We entered through a large hatch of very heavy steel located near the rear of the submarine.

It was very small quarters inside the submarine. We walked through a narrow hallway with small rooms located on each side. Most of the rooms had only a curtain for any kind of privacy. The officer’s room was one of the few rooms with a door.

We reached the main control room of the sub, which was a slightly larger area. In this control room there were seats for two submariners to steer the sub and two other seats for radar and sonar. The control room was small but quite impressive, the periscope is built into the main console and does not look like the ones portrayed in movies.

The officer providing us with the tour, told us that the sub was preparing to depart and we should return to the hatch and exit the sub, or we may end up going out to sea. So we began our walk back through the narrow hallway towards the hatch. Along the way we met members of the crew who were going to their respective areas to prepare to depart to sea.  We would squeeze to one side to let a crew member pass.

Shelley exiting the hatch after the tour of the submarine

After leaving the submarine we thanked our tour officer and went to shore. We feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to take the tour. It was a very interesting and unique experience.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

A walk through the quaint town of Altea

On Sunday we went for a drive with friends to take part in a walking tour of Altea. The drive which takes about an hour was beautiful with great views of the Mediterranean Sea and the local landscape.

Toro silhouette common in Spain along roadways.

We arrived early for the tour and took the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and a coffee with some of our friends.

Mark, Vicky, Ray, and Jorge at cafe in Altea

The tour began with Felipe explaining the tour path and some of the highlights we would see along the way.

Felipe explaining the tour and some of the history of Altea

We headed down the walkway along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea before branching off onto a former railway track, which was now converted into a trail.  

Former train tracks converted into a trail system in Altea

We walked a few kilometers on the trail admiring the great views and vegetation. 

Orange trees along the trail with views of the mountains
Shelley in front of blossoming almond trees
The blossom on an almond tree

We eventually came back into the town and walked along the narrow streets of the old quarter. We came across a motorbike and car show which was on public display.

Display of motorbikes with a WWII -1943 motorbike and sidecar.

After viewing the car show we walked through the old quarter admiring the architecture and views.

A street in old quarter of Altea
Whitewashed walls of a home in Old quarter of Altea

Decorations on the church in the old quarter of Altea

We enjoyed the walking trail and the stroll through the old streets of Altea. It is a great little town with lots of beautiful scenery and friendly people. It was a perfect way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Poland

The Cathedral Wawelska

We went to see the Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus in Krakow Poland. The church is commonly referred to as the Wawel Cathedral. The basilica  was built-in the 14th century and is the Polish national sanctuary. The Cathedral has been used for numerous prestigious events including the coronation of Polish monarchs.

The Wawel Cathedral in Krakow Poland

The day after Pope John Paul II was ordained as a priest he said Mass in the Crypt area of the Cathedral. The Cathedral erected a statue of Pope John Paul II to commemorate his attendance there.

Statue of Pope John Paul II outside of the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow

We entered the church and walked through the main section of the Cathedral looking at the statues and ornate decor.

Inside the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow Poland
Black marble canopy with four marble pillars Inside the main section of Wawel Cathedral

We then headed to the bell tower of the Cathedral. There is a set of wooden stairs which lead to the bell tower of the church. The stairs were narrow and steep and a bit of a challenge to climb.

The steep stairs in the bell tower of the Wawel Cathedral

We worked our way towards to top of the bell tower. Along the way up the stairs we came to several bells which were impressive. Shelley stopped to touch one of the church bells.

Shelley touching one of the church bells in Wawel Cathedral

As we reached the top we could see the main bell which was much larger than the rest.

Main church bell in Wawel Cathedral

After looking at the church bell we took some time to admire the view of Krakow from the bell tower.

View of Krakow from the Bell tower of the Wawel Cathedral

After returning from the bell tower we headed towards the Saint Leonard’s crypt located beneath  the Cathedral. The crypt contain the tombs of Polish kings, national heroes, generals and other important historic people of Poland.

Hallway leading to the crypts beneath Wawel Cathedral

Inside the crypt we saw some of the tombs on display. It was an eerie feeling walking though the crypt. We saw numerous tombs which were each decorated differently.

One of the tombs in the Saint Leonard’s Crypt under the Wawel Cathedral
A tomb in the St Leonard’s crypt
A tomb in the St Leonard’s crypt

The Wawel Cathedral was a very interesting place to visit. We saw some historic artifacts and explored a historic place of the Polish people. It was a quite interesting and enjoyable time.

“Do widzenia i dobry dzień”

Spain

A day at the Island of Tabarca

We went to visit the small Island of Tabarca which is located 8 nautical miles or 15 kilometers southeast of Alicante. The small Island is a popular summer destination for tourist and locals alike. The island itself is very small with a population of only 68 inhabitants. The island is only 1750 meters long and 300 meters wide at the largest point.

Island of Tabarca in the Mediterranean Sea

We arrived on a cruise boat which is called the Kon Tiki Cuatro which ferries people across from Alicante on a daily basis.

Kon Tiki Cuatro boat

The island only has one port which is fairly small. The boats are required to drop people off and then they must leave the port to allow for other boats to dock.

The port at the Tabarca Island

We debarked the Kon Tiki Cuatro and walked down the pier towards the town. We looked in the water which was very clear. We could see fish swimming along side of the boats and the pier.

Fish swimming in the area of the pier and boats of Tabarca Island.

Tabarca Island is known for a marine reserve which is why there were so many fish.

We arrived at the town and stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. We were a very large group of approximately one hundred people. The restaurant was able to seat us all in long tables which also provided a great view of the sea.

The view from our table looking at the Mediterranean Sea.

We were served courses of traditional Spanish food which included  sea food. Ray ate the sea food although he was not too enthusiastic about the food.

Ray eating mussels

There were plenty of refreshments available as well and we enjoyed some Spanish sangria.

Shelley pouring a glass of Sangria

After lunch we went for a walk through the town. The streets have a traditional Spanish look and it was quiet and peaceful.

A street in the town of Tabarca

We walked the streets and came across some beautiful views. There were some traditional buildings including the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo. It is the only church on the island and was built-in the 17th century.  The church has a unique beauty to it because of the Mediterranean sea backdrop.

The Church of San Pedro y San Pablo.

There were other unique sites along our walk through the town. We came across some ruins with an archway which was near the edge of the island. The views were stunning and looked like something out of a movie.

Ruins and archway on Tabarca Island
Archway near the edge of the Tabarca island

We walked further and came across some stores and a cafe shop. One store was displaying their merchandise in a  different way.

clothing on display outside of the store on mannequins

Tabarca is the smallest permanently inhabited island in Spain. We enjoyed walking the streets and exploring this small island. The scenery was breathtaking. It seemed that everywhere we looked there was a beautiful view.

View from a small outlook on the island of Tabarca
View of a section of Tabraca Island
Street on Tabarca Island

We decided to get a photo taken while near the shore on Tabarca Island.

Ray and Shelley on Tabarca Island

We then headed back to the boat to return to Alicante after a great day on the Island.

Shelley and Ray getting ready to board the Kon Tiki Cuatro to return to Alicante
Shelley on the Kon Tiki Cuatro boat returning to Alicante

It was a very enjoyable day exploring the small island of Tabarca.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento

On the evening of October 21st there was a religious celebration  in Alicante called “the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento” . It is a procession which is held in Santa Cruz locate in the heart of the old quarter of Alicante.

We went to a friend’s home to watch the procession. They live in the barrio of Santa Cruz along the route of the procession. We had a balcony which overlooked the procession along one of the smallest spots in the route.

View from the balcony of the route for the Salida

The Salida extraordinria del Descendimiento has a wooden platform which is carried through the barrio of Santa Cruz. On the wooden float is a wooden carving of Jesus and other religious figures. They are all carried on a large wooden platform. The weight of the statues and  the platform is approximately 25,000 lbs (1135 kg).

Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento platform being carried through the barrio of Santa Cruz

People gather throughout the route to pray, sing and clap as the platform is carried. There are approximately 30 people who carry the heavy platform and they stop along the route for prayers and songs. There is a band which follows the procession and plays unique music for the event.

Band marching and playing music behind the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento.

We had an excellent location to watch the entire Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento. The balcony was located so close to the route that Shelley was able to reach out and touch the cross and the carving of Jesus as it went by.

Shelley on the balcony waving after the procession passed

We had a very enjoyable time, visiting with some of our friends and experiencing a Catholic Spanish tradition. We made a short video of the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento for you to enjoy. The music in the video is from the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento and was played during the procession.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”