Tag Archives: Alicante

Spain

Ahoy Matey der be a Spanish Galleon!

There was a replica of a 16th century Spanish galleon sail ship docked at the Alicante marina. We decided to go down and check it out. We could see the galleon from a distance and it was quite impressive.

A replica of the 16th century Spanish galleon Andalucia

We went on board and took a guided tour seeing what life was like working and living on a 16th century shipping vessel. It was an exact replica with cannons, rigging and wooden decking etc. We walked up the ramp onto the main deck of the ship. This area of the ship is known as the Quarter deck. On this deck there is a main mast known as the Mizzen mast.

Mizzen mast

It is also the wheel that controls the ship is located. Officers would command the direction of the ship but would not actually handle the wheel, which was done by sailors.

The tour guide showing us around the Galleon sail ship
Navigation wheel of the Spanish Galleon Andalucia
quarter-deck of the galleon sail ship

We could see the bell which they used for different communications on board. It was on the forecastle deck. This deck has the front sail mast, known as the fore mast, the bell and two anchors that weigh over two tons each.

Iron anchor with wooden shaft weighing over 2000 lbs.
Ray on the quarter-deck of the Spanish Galleon Andalucia Sail ship
Bell used to communicate between ships in fog and for work shifts etc.

There was the poop deck at the stern of the ship which we did not have access to.  The origin of the name poop deck is from the  french word “poupe” which over time was shortened to the common term of poop deck.

View of the stairs leading to the poop deck

The poop deck was where officers could view the crew and the maneuvers of the ship. There is a large lantern which was used to identify the ship at night and to communicate with other ships.

Main lantern on the poop deck of the galleon ship

Below the poop deck was the “Noble Area”. This area was restricted to officers, and high ranked passengers.

Noble area below the poop deck
Area for Nobles and officers to relax

We went down one level to the gun deck which is where the cannons for the protection of the ship are mounted.  The galleon ships travelled in large groups for better protection against pirate attacks.

Gun deck cannons

The guide explained how they used different types of cannon balls for defence. There was the standard cannon ball which would make a single large impact. There was also a cannon ball chained to another cannon ball, which was used to destroy sails and mast of a ship. They also had a special one with small iron balls bunched together for a shotgun effect.

Different types of cannon balls used for defence against pirates

The deck below the gun deck is called the Hold. It is an area of the ship which holds the precious cargo.

Cargo area in the Hold of the ship

The cargo could be wine, oil or other products from Europe heading to America or it could be gold, silver and other precious metals from America. Only a small part of the hold was used to store basic food for the crew for the journey across the ocean.

“Adios y que tengas un grand dia”

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

Climbing to breathtaking views

We decided to go hiking and climb a mountain called the Sierra de San Julian. We began our day with a tram ride to a stop which is near the base of the mountain.

There were several different paths that lead up the mountain. One of the paths had an inviting smiling face painted on the rocks.

Rocks at base of the mountain with smily face.

We decided to take the trail which had the smily face to start our climb up the mountain.

We started up the trail which were fairly easy to climb at first and branched off to different areas on the mountain. The higher we got on the mountain the steeper the trail became.

Shelley climbing up the mountain

Around half way up the mountain the paths became extremely difficult. We were climbing steep inclines and working our way up slowly towards the summit.

Ray climbing up steep incline on the mountain

The views on the way up the mountain were wonderful and that kept us motivated to reach the peak.

View from half way up the mountain of Alicante

We continued our climb up the mountain which was very challenging and steep.

Shelley climbing up near the top of the mountain

We eventually reached the top of the mountain after about an hour of climbing. The top of the mountain was fairly flat and provided a beautiful 360 degree view of the area.

We stayed on the top of the mountain enjoying the stunning and beautiful views.  We decided to leave a Canadian landmark by building a small Inukshuk.

Inukshuk made with stones at the top of the Sierra de San Julian Mountain

We left our Canadian landmark behind and headed back down the mountain. The way down was easier and we were able to get down in about 30 minutes. It was a great way to spend a day enjoying the beauty of the area.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Flamingo dancing

We went to a local flamingo show, at the “TABLAO FLAMENCO
LA GUITARRERIA” which is a very small bar. We went with a group of our friends and managed to get the seats located right in front of the stage.

View of the Flamingo stage from our seats

The venue only holds 24 people and it makes it a very intimate and enjoyable experience.

View of the flamingo bar from the stage to the exit

The show began with the guitarist playing some flamingo music while the singer sang.

Guitarist in flamingo show

The music and singing of a flamingo show is amazing to hear. The voice and music have stunning sounds and is full of emotion.

Singer in the flamingo show

After they played a few songs which tells the story of two lovers and their conflicts, the dancers each take a turn. The flamingo dancing is an amazing thing to see, they have such expressive use of their arms and rhythmic stamping of their feet.

Flamingo dancer doing a solo flamingo dance

The dancing has different elements to it. There is singing, guitar, hand clapping, finger snapping and dancing with expressive hand and leg movements.

Male dancer doing a flamingo dance

The dancing was so raw and emotionally charged. You could see the emotion on their faces.

emotions expressed on the face of the dancer

We had great seats near the stage and we were able to enjoy the show close up and personal. We had a great evening watching the flamingo show.

“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”