Tag Archives: Retirement abroad

Spain

Spelunking in AlcafĆ” del Jucar

We went caving outside of the town of AlcafĆ” del Jucar, which is located in the province of Albacete Spain. We drove to the entrance of the cave which is actually just a small hole in the ground.

Entrance hole to the cave system

Our guide took us to the entrance and began setting up the rappelling gear required to enter the cave.

Rappelling gear set up at the entrance of the cave.

We took the opportunity to take a picture of the group while he was preparing the gear.

Our guide setting up the rappelling ropes for the entrance of the cave.

We each took a turn and rappelled down approximately 15 meters to the base of the cave.

Ray rappelling down to the cave floor
Ray at the base of the cave floor

Once we rappelled down to the floor of the cave, we began exploring the different caverns. The cave system was interesting with a lot of different features.

Some of the features in the cave

We even meet a few of the locals in the cave system.

Bat hanging in the cave

We came to one area of the cave which was spectacular. When we shined our lights on the ceiling of the cave it looked like stars.Ā  Ā The photo below does not do it justice.

Reflection of light on the drops of water on the ceiling of the cave

There were water drops clinging to the ceiling of the cave and our lights reflected off of them. It made it look like stars in space, truly an amazing sight.

We managed to get a group photo while exploring the cave caves.

Ray, Issac, Sonja, Susy and the guide

We explored the cave system for an hour or so before heading back to the entrance of the cave. We then used a rope ladder and climbed up the 15 meters to the surface.

Ray at the top of the cave entrance

It was a great experience and very enjoyable.

“Hasta luego y que tengas a buen dia”

Spain

The Aguilas Carnival

There is a carnival in the town of Aguilas Spain which is one of the most famous in the Murcia region. The carnival has received the status of “Fiestas of International tourism Interest”. We decided to go and check out the carnival and watch the parade.

We arrived in the early afternoon to Aguilas and explored the city before the big parade. We walked along the waterfront enjoying the beautiful views.

The colonia beach area of Aguilas
Ray, Shelley, Sonja and Marcelo on the beach in Aguilas, Spain

The boardwalk goes along the waterfront with a marina area.

Marina area of Aguilas Spain

After walking along the boardwalk, we headed into the city centre. The streets were already crowded with people waiting for the parade which was still a few hours away. We explored the area until it was time for the parade. We came across a small plaza which had lots of white doves.

White doves in the plaza of Aguilas Spain

We then went and found a spot to watch the parade. It was not easy to find a good vantage point because of the bleachers that were set up. You had to pre-purchase a 10 euro ticket to get a seat on the bleachers and we did not have one.

Bleachers with paid seating for the carnival parade in Aguilas

We found a spot to watch some of the parade. The costumes were very detailed and ornate.

One of the ornate costumes in the carnival parade.

We watched the parade for some time admiring the different dances and costumes. There were children, teens and adults all participating in the carnival parade. Below are only a few of the spectacular costumes and floats in the parade.

Children dressed in costumes of the carnival parade

Below is a small highlight video of some of the carnival.

The parade was very interesting and we enjoyed watching the different costumes and dancing.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

The Mushrooms of Sevilla

We went exploring throughout the old quarter of Sevilla. We came across a very unique structure, called the Metropol Parasol. It is also known as “Las Setas de Sevilla” which translates as the mushrooms of Sevilla.

Las setas de Sevilla in the center of Sevilla, Spain
View from the base of the Metropol Parasol

We walked along the base of the Metropol Parasol exploring the large structure.

The Metropol Parasol in Sevilla Spain

This project to create the Metropol Parasol was by the german architect JĆ¼rgen Mayer, and is the largest wooden structure in the world.

Shelley at the base of the Metropol Parasol, in Sevilla Spain

The Metropol Parasol has different levels, each one with interesting things to see. On the underground level we came across the Antiquarium Museum. It was created to allow people to visit the archaeological remains that were found during the early excavations for the Metropol Parasol.

Shelley in front of the museum in the lowest level of the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla

The Roman ruins on display are behind a large glass, which gives the appearance of an aquarium.

Roman ruins on display at the Antiquarium museum in the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla.

After checking out the Roman ruins we took the Elevator to the third level. On that level there is a restaurant with seating which provided great views of the city.

View from the sitting area of the restaurant

We walked around the restaurant and came to the 26-meter-high walkway which crossed over the top of the parasol.

Walkways on the top of the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla, Spain
We walked along the walkway enjoying the views of the skyline.
Ray and Shelley on the 26-meter high walkway of the Metropol Parasol in Sevilla
Shelley on the 28-meter high walkway of the Metropol Parasol
The parasol is quite interesting and you were able to look down through the structure to the ground below.
View of the people below through the structure of the parasol
We walked around the parasol enjoying the different views of the skyline. It is an impressive size 150 by 70 metres (490 by 230 ft) and an approximate height of 26 metres (85 ft).
Image of the Metropol parasol from the sky
The Metropol Parasol was a very unique wooded structure and we enjoyed exploring the different levels of it.Ā  It was one of the highlights of our trip to Sevilla.
“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”
Spain

Los baƱos de fortuna

We went to the “BaƱos de Fortuna” which is spa resort located near the town of Fortuna. The spa complex has multiple pools with natural thermal springs which were popular with the Romans and used as Romans baths. Today these thermal baths have been transformed into a large spa complex with numerous thermal pools.

We settled into our “cabin” at the BaƱos de Fortuna before exploring the thermal pools.

Rows of Cabins for rent at the Banos de Fortuna Spa

We went into the thermal pools and relaxed for hours enjoying the hot termal pools.

Marcelo, Sonja and Shelley enjoying the thermal pool
Thermal pools at the BaƱos de Fortuna

In the evening we walked around the complex exploring the resort. There was some beautiful architectural buildings, hotels and gardens

Main building of the BaƱos de Fortuna
water feature at the baƱo de Fortuna
One of the buildings at the BaƱo de Fortuna
Outdoor patio area of the coffee bar in the spa
Inside area of the hotel at the spa
One of the buildings with ornate features at the BaƱo de Fortuna

We stayed at the spa for two days enjoying the hot thermal pools and exploring the spa complex.

“Adios y que tengas un gran dia”

Spain

Almond trees in Spain

There are a lot of Almond trees in Spain, we come across them almost every day when we are out in the country side. Almond are very common and are part of the Mediterranean culture. Almonds have been around for centuries and is mentioned in the bible. That is why it is not surprising that Spain is the second largest producer of almonds in the world.

An almond tree grove in Murcia

At this time of year (January-February) the almond trees are in full bloom. We were out for a walk with friends in the Murcia countryside and there were a lot of almond trees in bloom.Ā  The smell of the almond flowers which are pink or white were wonderful and it gave us the sense that spring was just around the corner.Ā The white flowering almond tree has the sweet almonds while the pink flowering tree has bitter almonds.

Almond tree flowers in bloom

We walked along the mountain trail admiring the almond blooms and taking in the wonderful smell of the flowers.

We stopped at one of the trees and took an almond off the tree. and broke the shell. The almond tasted sweet and was quite enjoyable.

Almonds on the tree
Almond and flowers on an almond tree

Almond trees are just one of the many enjoyable features of living in the south of Spain.

“Adios y que tengas un gran dia”