Tag Archives: Spain

Spain

A day exploring Alicante

We took our friends from Canada for a little tour of Alicante to show them some of the sites. We walked to the downtown area of the city and enjoyed a nice stroll through one of the oldest parks in Alicante. The park is called the Canalejas Park and is located very close to the Mediterranean sea. The park is known for the beautiful centenary ficus trees which provide shade cover over the complete length of the park. We stopped in the shade and relaxed for a bit to enjoy the trees.

Anne and Jim under the centenary ficus trees
Ray sitting on the root of one of the centenary ficus trees

After enjoying the park we headed to the waterfront to admire the sea. The boardwalk along the marina is beautiful and provides a great view of the Castillo Santa Barbara. We walked along the pier to the end and enjoying the breeze from the sea.

Anne, Jim, and Shelley along the pier in downtown Alicante
Jim and Anne in downtown Alicante

After exploring the downtown area we decided to get lunch at one of our favorite Spanish restaurants called “La Matanza Castellana”.

We enjoyed a traditional Spanish meal of the day which was very tasty.

Jim enjoying a Mediterranean salad

We went to the Castillo Santa Barbara to check out the castle. Our friend Filipe gave us a great tour of the castle.  We explored areas that were not normally accessible to the public.

Ray and Filipe going into the dungeon area of the castle
Anne, Shelley, and Jim, at Castillo Santa Barbara

We went into the area of the castle where prisoners were housed. We saw a torture chamber area and even went into a water reservoir which was used by the castle for centuries.

Ray with Filipe showing the torture chair
15th-century water reservoir in Castillo Santa Barbara
Jim and Anne at the Castillo Santa Barbara

We enjoyed showing our friends some of the Alicante sites. It was a nice day with friends, sunshine and overall lots of fun.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Pirates of the Caribbean in Alicante

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We took a walk on the boardwalk near the Mediterranean Sea.

Boardwalk near Mediterranean sea in Alicante

We were enjoying the walk and came across the Museo Volvo Ocean Race and decided to check it out.

We entered the free museum not knowing anything about the Volvo Ocean Race. We were amazed at how large the museum was and the complexity of the exhibits. Almost ever exhibit was interactive and very informative.

There were small model sail ships that explained the different pieces of the equipment and design of the sailboat. There were fans blowing the wind and moving the sails in different directions explaining how sailing worked.

Model of the sailboat explaining parts of the interior of the ship

They had interactive sailing stations where kids could compete against each other on a virtual screen.

Kids racing against each other on virtual sailing exhibit

There was even a virtual ride on the sailboat in rough and windy waters of the ocean. We watched some children go into the ride but we decided to skip that ride.

virtual sailboat ride at Volvo Ocean Race museum

It was a very enlightening experience and we learned a lot about the Volvo Ocean Race. The race is the longest race of any kind in the world. It crosses four oceans and is 46,000 nautical miles long.  The race will start on October 22, 2017,  in Alicante and finishes eight months later in The Hague. There is a total of 11 legs in the race starting in Alicante and finishing in The Hague.

The legs of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017

The race will take over eight months to complete and covers four oceans. The race is the toughest test in professional sailing.

There was a sailboat called “The Black Pearl” and was crewed by a team called “Pirates of the Caribbean”, the United States entry sailboat was sponsored by Disney. We were able to see some of the Black Pearl equipment and the sailboat itself.

Shelley with the “Pirates of the Caribbean” suit worn by crew members during the race.

The “Black Pearl” was raced in 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean race and won second place.

The “Black Pearl” was on display at the museum but then relocated to a prominent location in downtown Alicante.

The Black Pearl on Display near the main promenade in downtown Alicante

There is a short video below that explains the Volvo Ocean Race and the Black Pearl.

We enjoyed the museum more than we thought we would. It was very interesting and the Volvo Ocean Race is an amazing and challenging race.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Not a regular walk in the park

We took a beautiful Sunday hiking trip to a mountain located right in the city of Alicante called “Serra Grossa”. The mountain is located on the Mediterranean coastline and provides a great view of the entire area. We took the bus to the mall which is near the base of the mountain. We started our hike and walked up the winding path.

Ray along the trail on the Serra Grossa mountain

We gradually worked our way up the path and came across a great view of the Mediterranean sea.

Trail along the Serra Grossa Mountain

As we worked our way up the mountain we came across some spectacular views of the area.

The higher we went up the trail, the more we could see of the coastline.  We continued along the trail and came to a lookout area that had benches and some shade.

We decided to stop and take a break. We sat down on the bench and enjoyed the stunning views.

The view from the bench on the Serra Grossa Mountain

After having a nice relaxing break on the bench we headed further up the path.  As we came around a bend we could see some trenches and tunnels in the mountain. These were remnants of the bomb shelters from 1936 that were in place to protect the locals.

Shelley in one of the trenches on Serra Grossa mountain
Part of the bomb shelter system on the Serra Grossa mountain
Shelley at a lookout in the bomb shelter of Serra Grossa mountain

It was interesting walking through the shelter and looking at the structure. We then continued up the mountain heading towards the peak.  We came across a cement square structure that was perched on the edge of the mountain. There were stairs leading down to it but there were no rails or any type of protection. We decided that we wouldn’t head down as it was dangerous looking.

Structure perched on the edge of the mountain

We continued to work our way towards the top stopping along the way to rest and admire the breathtaking views. The trail was getting steep and rough in places towards the top but we managed to reach the summit.

Shelley sitting on stone wall at the top of the Serra Grossa mountain

From the top, you could see a 360-degree view of Alicante. The 490-meter elevation provided us with a view of the coast, and the mountains. It was truly a beautiful and breathtaking view.

View of Alicante from Serra Grossa summit

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Serra Grossa mountain, Alicante Spain
Spain

A bike ride in Alicante

On Sunday we decided to take a nice bike ride with our friend Filipe through parts of Alicante. There are so many beautiful sights and scenes in the city that each day is a great chance to explore. We started in the center of the city and worked our way down towards the waterfront. We cycled along the waterfront enjoying the view

Ray and Shelley along the waterfront in Alicante

We came across a group of people singing and chanting in Russian along the waterfront. Some were dressed in traditional Russian dress.

Russian march along the waterfront

We decided to take a break and watch them for a while before heading on.

Ray, Shelley, and Filipe taking a break on waterfront boardwalk

We continued along the coastline for a few kilometers admiring the vistas.

Shelley and Ray on the coast of Mediterranean Sea.

We came across a lookout area and took some time to admire the views.

Ray, Filipe and Shelley on the lookout admiring the view

After biking along the coast we headed into the old quarter of Alicante. We cycled through the old streets of Alicante and came to a beautiful old neighborhood called Barrio de Santa Cruz.

They decorate the streets with flowers and colorful ornaments to welcome the Fiesta of the Crosses of May. They hold a fiesta and decorate flower crosses which are judged for the best design. The fiesta ends on the 1st of May and we missed the fiesta but we were able to see the winning cross still on display.

Ray and Shelley in front of the Winning Flower cross of the Fiesta in Barrio de Santa Cruz

We then headed back into the center of the city and came across an art exhibit. It was set up with local artist displaying their work and some artist were painting as well. We stopped and decided to check it out.

Shelley looking at some of the artwork on display

There were some very talented artists and we watch several of them work on their art. We could recognize some of the Spanish landmarks they had painted in some of the paintings.

As we walked throughout the displays we came across a beautiful water feature.

Water feature in the park with artist

After viewing the art we stopped at a new Italian restaurant called “ll Typico”. We were introduced to the owner Felice Falanga by our friend Filipe and enjoyed a wonderful meal.

Filipe, the owner Felice Falanga, Shelley and Ray

Overall another great adventure in Alicante. Each day brings new adventures and experiences.

“Adios y que Tenga un grand dia”

Alicante, Spain
Spain

Cartagena Medieval wall and Crypt

We went to check out the Cartagena Punic Wall Interpretation known as “El Centro de interpretacion de la murall Punica”. The Punic wall interpretation center was built to the same dimensions as of the wall height and width of the original wall. The center highlights the recovery of remains from the ancient Carthaginian wall which was used as a defensive wall system in Cartagena.

The design of the wall is known as the Hellenistic model. It has two parallel walls constructed with large sandstone blocks. The walls were 10 meters high (33 feet) and inside the walls, there was space divided into different sections. Each section was used for a specific purpose, horse stable, weapons storage and living quarters etc.

View from above of the ancient wall

We walked through the center looking at the remains of the wall. It was hard to imagine that the walls were built around 200 BC.

Punic wall build approximately 200 BC

We then came to the stairs which led to an area that was discovered to contain a funeral crypt. The crypt belonged to the hermitage of Saint Joseph and was built during the XVI and XVII centuries.

Stairs to Roman catacombs

We went down the stairs and saw the crypt which contained actual remains from that time period. At the base of the stairs, the crypt was opened on one side and it was sealed on the other side.

Funeral crypt built during the XVI and XVII centuries

Inside the open crypts, there were remains from that time period.

Crypts dated from 16th and 17th centuries

The one side of the crypt was intact and was not opened. The original wall along with a painted image which was slightly visible.

Painted image visible on the crypt wall
The original sealed crypt section

The wall and crypt were very interesting and something we enjoyed seeing. There is an amazing history of Cartagena and it was an enjoyable visit.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”