Tag Archives: Retirement abroad

Spain

Tapa Competition

We decided to try something different and hosted a Tapa competition. We invited 10 couples to participate in the event which we held at our apartment.

We selected three judges in advance for the competition which were not known by the participants.

The judges Felipe, Sonya and Marcelo sampling one of the tapas

Each competitor had to make enough tapas (23) in total for everyone to enjoy a sample. They also had to have 3 tapas plated for the judges. The judges scored the tapa based on taste, presentation creativity and the pairing of a wine or other beverage.

Everyone enjoying the sampling of tapas

Everyone enjoyed trying the different tapas and sampling of wines. It was a very interesting event because we had people from multiple countries around the word. There were Spanish, Welsh, English, Scottish, American, Argentinian and Canadian competitors.  Each one brought some unique twist to the Spanish “tapa”. Below are the tapa entries. Each one was unique and very tasty.

The winner was selected by the judges and determined that Tapa Number 7 won the competition. Janice was awarded the Tapa trophy and the official tapa apron for “The best Tapa in 2018”

Janice with her trophy and Tapa apron

It was a very enjoyable and fun time with friends.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Xiringuito Postiguet

We went down to the postiguet beach where there is a great little chiringuito.  It was a great evening with a full moon.

Shelley and Ray at portiguet beach

The chiringuito is located directly on the beach and has a great view of the castle and Mediterranean sea.

Chiringuito on Postiguet beach in Alicante.

There was cuban music playing at the chiringuito and people were gathering to listen. We found some seats and settled in to listen to the tunes.

The cuban band playing music at the chiringuito

We ran into some of our friends there as well.

Suzanne, Terry, Eric and Dana at the chiringuito

The music was very good and more and more people gathered around the chiringuito as the night went on. There were people dancing on the beach, even Shelley joined in.

People dancing at the chiringuito

We had a great evening listening to some fantastic cuban music on the beach of the mediterranean sea.

“Adios y tengas un gran dia”

Spain

Tapa Bar in San Sebastián

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We went to an amazing tapa bar called “Nagusia Lau” in San Sebastián.

Tapa Bar Nagusia Lau in San Sebastián in Spain

Inside the bar were tapas of every imaginable type laid out on the bar area.

Tapas laid pout on the bar for choosing by customers.

When we entered the bar the place was packed with people. We were lucky to find a table near the back of the bar. We sat down and our waitress arrived and explained how the tapa bar worked. We go to the bar and select and put on our plate whatever tapas we want. We then tell the person behind the bar our table number and he notes the tapas on our plate.

Shelley walking along the bar selecting her tapas.

Selecting our tapas was not easy because of the large selection of interesting and tasty looking tapas. We walked along the bar looking at the different ones trying to select the ones we wanted.

some of the tapas for choosing.

We chose different tapas and headed back to our table. Each tapa was very tasty but there were a few that were extremely delicious, “Gambas” and “Pulpo”

“gambas” scrimp in a fresh sauce with peppers
“Pulpo” octopus sliced in garlic butter with paprika and other spices

We really enjoyed sampling some of the great tapas in San Sebastián and the Nagusia Lau Tapa bar was a great experience.

“Ados eta egun handia”

Spain

Not a Canadian River

Sunday we went with friends to do some hiking in the foothills of the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park. It is located near the town of “Banyeres de Mariola” which is the highest town in the interior of the province of Alicante. The trail began with a concrete path which went towards the valley of the mountain.

Shelley at the beginning of the trail in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.

We walked along the concrete trail for sometime and eventually the trail narrowed and changed to a dirt path.

A path in the park

We arrived to an area with a river called “Vinapoló” which was quite small and shallow. It appeared more like a stream than a river.

Shelley, Victor, Irena and Ray in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park

We walked along the path towards the source of the river. There were a few small footbridges that we crossed as we went along.

Footbridge over the Vinapoló river

We walked along the river for about an hour and came to the source of the Vinapoló, which was an underground stream.

The source of the Vinapoló river

We followed the trail further and came to some building ruins that were quite old and other unique features.

building ruins in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park

We even saw in the distance some castle ruins, but decided that it was too far for this trip.

Castle ruins along the trails in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.

We did not pack enough water or food to hike to the castle ruins so we will save that for another time. We walked about 10 kilometers during our time in the park. It was a great day and we enjoyed seeing some of the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.

“Adios y que tengas un gran dia”

Spain

A visit to San Sebastien, Spain

We went to San Sebastien to explore this beautiful city. We began our exploring by taking the hop-on-hop-off bus.

Hop-on-hop-off Bus in San Sebastian, Spain

We were able to explore the different areas of San Sebastian and see some of the key points of interest before exploring them in more detail on foot.

Shelley, Ray, Mark and Vicki on the Hop-on-hop-off bus in San Sebastian

The city had some unique and beautiful sites. There are several great beaches which are very picturesque.

Beach front of San Sebastian, Spain
Ray on the boardwalk at the edge of the concha beach.

We walked through the old city centre exploring its charm. There was some beautiful architecture and parks.

We then went to “Funicular Monte Igueldo” which is a mountainside train which brings you to an amusement park. We decided to take the train car which is pulled up the mountain Igueldo by cable to the top.

The Funicular Monte Igueldo cable car in San Sebastian

We bought our tickets and lined up for the next cable car.

Ray, Shelley, Vicki and Mark waiting for the cable car to arrive.

You could see the train tracks leading up the Igueldo mountain.

Funicular train tracks leading the cable car to the top of the mountain

We rode the cable car up the tracks to the top of the mountain. It was an eerie felling as we went up the steep incline of the mountain. There was no sound of a motor and if the cable broke the cable car would surely go straight down the mountain. When we reached the amusement park at the top the views were spectacular.

Shelley, Ray, Mark and Vicki at the top of the mountain overlooking the city of San Sebastian, Spain

We walked around the top of the Igueldo mountain enjoying the beautiful views.

Amusement park on the top of the mountain
A view from the mountain pf the City of San Sebastian

We decided to stop and have a refreshing drink while looking at the views. Afterwards we headed back down the mountain using the cable car. We enjoyed exploring the city of San Sebastian and look forward to our next visit to this wonderful spot.

“Ados eta egun handia”