The Volvo Ocean race takes place every three years. This year is the start of the race is in Alicante.
We took in some of the pre-race activities during the time the Volvo Ocean Race was in Alicante. We went down to the pier and walked through the different pavilions.
Pavillions for the Volvo Ocean Race
They had interactive activities for the children.
Computer simulation for sailing which children used to practice their sailing skills.
There was even a full size replica of the sail boat which was cut through the middle to provide a view of the interior of the racing boat.
Interior of race boat design used in Volvo raceInterior of racing boat design where children could explore the boat
We walked along the pavilions checking out the displays and activities. It was an interesting day looking at the different aspects of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The following day we went out on the Mediterranean to watch a trial race by the Volvo Ocean teams. We went out on our friends sailboat and enjoyed the view from the sea.
Shelley and Mike on the Sailboat
There were many other boats on the water also watching the race.
Volvo Ocean Race Sailboats during preliminary race in Alicante
We followed along the race route enjoying the spectacular views of the sailboats.
It was a very enjoyable way to see the sailboats racing. We even managed to get very close to the Volvo ocean sailboats.
Close view of the crew of the Volvo Ocean sailboat Brunel
It was a great day of sailing along with the Volvo Ocean Race sailboats.
The official race day was October 22nd and we went to watch the race at a friends apartment. The apartment is located on the 20th floor and the view was spectacular. We could see the entire race from a different vantage point.
View of the Volvo Ocean Race start at Alicante Spain
We enjoyed watching the race live on the tv as well.
We were fortunate to see the Volvo Ocean Race sailboats in different ways, from the sea, high above and in close proximity to the boats.
We went to the Birkenau death camp after seeing Auschwitz 1 concentration camp. It was also a very emotional and somber place for us.
Ray and Shelley at the main gate of Birkenau Death Camp
Another part of the Auschwitz concentration camp was the expansion of the camp to create the Birkenau death camp. The Nazis began erecting this camp in the fall of 1941 in a village of Brzezinski, three kilometers from the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Nazis expelled the villagers and destroyed their homes to build the Birkenau death camp. This camp was designed for the mass murder of prisoners most of which were Jews.
The gate to the Birkenau death camp.
There is a railway spur which went directly through the gate into the camp. Prisoners referred to the Birkenau gate as “The Gate of Death”.
Railway spurs in Birkenau Death camp where prisoners were unloaded.
Prisoners would exit the train cars and this is where the Nazi SS physicians carried out their selection of the jews. Â They determined which were for work, or sent for medical experiments and the remainder were sent immediately to the gas chambers. This included pregnant women and children.
We walked through the death camp looking at the train tracks and just couldn’t imagine the horror of what happened here. As we walked alongside the tracks, we came to a cattle car which was used to transport Jews and other prisoners here.
A cattle car used to transport prisoners to the death campRailway car used to transport Jews and other Prisoners to Birkenau Death Camp
At the rear of the train car was a small raised lookout which was used by a Nazi guard.
A train car used to transport prisoners to the death camp.
The size of the Birkenau death camp was much bigger than we expected. There were rows upon rows of chimneys and ruins from the prisoner barracks on one side of the main road.
The remains of prisoner barracks at Birkenau Death CampArea where prisoners where kept in wooden barracks
There were some wooden barracks that remained in part of the Birkenau death camp.
Prisoner barracks in Birkenau death camp.
We went into some of the existing prisoner barracks. The conditions were very harsh. It was hard to imagine the living conditions they had to endure.
Latrine used by the prisoners.Bunks for the prisoners, eight prisoners to a single bunk.
We walked long the main road towards the back of the camp. As we approached the rear of the camp we could see a monument and some building ruins.
Monument at rear of the Birkenau Death Camp.
There were plaques in different languages which read
“For ever let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity, where the Nazis murdered about one and a half million men, women, and children mainly Jews from various countries of Europe”
The Nazis transported jews from many european countries to be murdered here in Birkenau.
Map showing the movement of Jews transported to Birkenau to be murdered.
After viewing the monument we went to an area with ruins at the far end of the camp. These ruins are all that is left of the gas chambers and crematorium used to kill approximately one and half million people, primarily Jews.
The entrance way which Jews and other prisoners would be lead to believe were showers.
They would walk down the long corridor to an area where they would disrobe and then enter a second room, which was disguised as a shower room. There they would be gassed to death and then moved to a crematorium room to be burned.
Remains of the gas chambers and crematorium at Birkenau death campRemains at Birkenau death campGas chamber and crematorium remains at Birkenau death camp.
The size of the ruins showed the magnitude of the horrors that occurred here. After pausing to reflect on the site we were looking at, we began our long walk back to the main gate of Birkenau.
There were flowers placed on the train tracks close to where the gas chambers were. When you look down the tracks you can barely see the main gate of Birkenau in the distance.
Train tracks that stop at the gas chamber and crematorium area of Birkenau death camp.
We walked slowly back to the main gate contemplating the horrors and atrocities that occurred here. A very emotional day for us, but it is one time in history that no one should ever forget.
We went to a great authentic Polish restaurant in the old city center of Krakow. The restaurant was called “GoÅ›cinna Chata” which translates to “Guest Cottage”. The restaurant was located on a side street in the town center of Krakow.
Entrance to Gościnna Chata restaurant in Krakow
What attracted us to the restaurant was the unique decorations and the authentic Polish menu. We went into the restaurant entrance area and could see a quaint waiting area. There was a genuine fur draped over a bench for people to sit and wait for a table.
Entrance waiting area in the Restaurant
The main area of the restaurant was decorated with some unique items. There were wooden carvings of different faces throughout the restaurant.
We sat down at our table and looked around the room. There were so many unique things to see. There was hanging wooden baskets with candles in them and holes in the ceiling and straw on the rafters.
There were sculptures throughout the restaurant and the staff was also dressed in traditional Polish attire.
Ray with a carved wooden statue looking over his shoulder
We ordered some traditional polish food and enjoyed the great atmosphere of the restaurant. The waitress brought over a complimentary polish appetizer which consisted of bread, butter, and a lightly flavored lard.
Lard as part of the appetizer at the restaurant.
We tried the lard and it was quite tasty although we did not eat much of it. The waitress also lit a candle on the table which was a little concerning for Ray. He felt the candle was a bit too unprotected to be used in a restaurant.
Bev at the restaurant with a candle lit on the table.
We had some polish soup and assorted polish styled dishes which were very tasty and enjoyable. After our meal, we went downstairs to check out the decor.
Ray on the stairs on the lower level of the restaurant
There was a cozy area that was set up with some tables.
The restaurant had great decor and was a perfect spot for our traditional polish meal.
We went to the beautiful city of Segovia, located north of Madrid. The historic town of Segovia was established around 75 B.C. and is known for its Roman aqueduct.
Bev, Shelley, and Ray in Segovia near the Roman Aqueduct.
The aqueduct is a central focus of the city and was an amazing site to see. The architectural and ingenuity of the design was impressive.
Segovia Roman Aqueduct
The aqueduct was built during the first century AD and there is no mortar of any kind in the structure. It has endured the test of time delivering water until 1922 when the city blocked the flow of water through the aqueduct.
Segovia aqueduct constructed with no mortar in 1st-century A.D.View of the two tiers of the aqueduct in Segovia
The line of arches is organized into two levels, the top pillars are both shorter and narrower than those on the lower level. On the upper level, of the aqueduct, the arches are 5.1 meters (16.1 ft) wide. The top of the structure contains a channel through which the water traveled. The overall length of the raised aqueduct section is 813 meters and is 28 meters high ( 92 feet).
One of the arches in the Segovia aqueduct.
After exploring the aqueduct, we explored the main area of Segovia and saw some of the historic sites.
Cathedral of SegoviaCity hall in Segovia Spain.View of the old quarter in central SegoviaStatue near church of San Martin in SegoviaChurch of San Martin in Segovia
Segovia is also on the main route of the Camino de Santiago de Madrid. We walked along the streets of Segovia admiring the beautiful buildings. The city is rich with history and we could see it almost everywhere in the old quarter. It is truly a beautiful city.
I decided to take an early morning walk from my hotel to one of the biggest parks in Madrid called “Parque del Buen Retiro”. I started out walking along some of the back streets of Madrid towards the park. It was a fairly quiet walk and I was able to enjoy the serenity of being fairy alone in this large city of 3 million people. What was enjoyable was seeing things at a slower pace and noticing the beauty of the city. I walked along a quiet street and noticed some inlaid writing on the road. Normally the street would be too busy to read it.
I came across some unique bronze statues or city workers that appeared to be randomly placed in areas of the city.
A statue of a street sweeper in Bronze in MadridA bronze statue of a worker who would light the street lamps in Madrid
I arrived early at the Parque del Buen Retiro which literally means – park of the pleasant retreat. The gate that I entered into the park was stunning and was very welcoming.
One of the gates to the Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid
The park itself has some very beautiful vistas and paths. I began to walk the paths with no set direction in mind. I was simply enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the park.
Each path would join other paths that could lead you in many directions. I walked along some of the secluded areas of the park admiring the beauty of the trees.
I eventually found my way to an area called the Crystal Palace. The palace was constructed of ornate glass and was visually stunning to see.
Crystal Palace in MadridA section of the crystal palace in Buen Retiro park in Madrid
The palace which was built-in 1887 to exhibit flora and fauna.
Section of the Crystal Place in Madrid
The palace was almost completely made with glass and was an impressive building. I walked around the building and came across a pond at the front of the Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid
I walked around for approximately three hours enjoying the sights and sounds of the park. There were people gathering in the park as the day progressed. I could see people jogging, kids playing, couples holding hands and people on tour bikes.
People enjoying the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid
There were some interesting groups in the park as well. One group was doing synchronized moves using Spanish hand fans called “Abanico”
Another group was playing music for money as people walked by.
Musicians playing music in the park for donations.
The Buen Retiro Park is a beautiful and a large nature area in the heart of Madrid.
Below are some of the pictures that I took of the Buen Retiro Park.
One of the gates into Retiro Park
Bird in Retiro Park
Path in Retiro Park
Unique tree in Retiro Park
One of the many birds in Retiro Park
Crystal Palace in Retiro Park
Flower in Retiro Park
One of the many statues in Retiro Park
It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. I recommend to anyone who goes to Madrid to take a relaxing day and walk through the park.
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