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Spain

Caves of Canelobre

We went to see the caves of canelobre which are located in the mountains near the town of Busot. The caves are on the northern slope of the Sierra Cabeçó D’Or mountain. The views from the parking lot were quite breathtaking, you could see the whole region.

The view from the parking lot of the Canelobre Caves.

We arrived early and were able to get into the caves before there were too many people. Inside the main entrance was a long hallway leading into the caves.

Hallway entrance into the Canelobre caves

The hallway opens into a large cavern area which has a high ceiling.

Shelley and Ray in the main cavern area of the Canelobre caves

The caves were a lot larger than we expected, there is more 80,000 square meters of space in the caves. There were stairs leading to different levels and areas of the caves.

Shelley on the stairs exploring some of the caves

We walked through the different areas admiring the limestone caves with the different stalactites, stalagmites and columns. The caves are estimated to be 145 million years old. The caves were believed to be discovered by the Arabs in the tenth century, however little was known about them until the nineteenth century. It was during the civil war in Spain in the 1930’s when the caves were accessed and used as an aircraft repair shop by the Republican army. It was at that time when the tunnel access to the cave was created along with platforms, stairs etc.

Features of the Canelobre caves
Inside the Canelobre caves in Busot Spain
One of the features inside the canelobre caves

It was an amazing feeling exploring the caves.

Shelley and Ray at the Canelobre caves in Busot Spain

We were fortunate to explore one of the natural and unique caves in Spain.

“adios y que tengas un grand dia”

Spain

Christmas music in the Castle

We walked up to the 9th century Santa Barbara Castle to enjoy a free concert by soprano singer, Ascensión Perona and Pianist Daniel Catalá. Our walk began at 7pm and we walked up the steep incline towards the Castle. The views along the way were stunning and you could see the Castle light up in the night.

Castle of Santa Barbara in the evening

There were beautiful views of the city of Alicante along the walk up the mountain. We could see the city lit up in lights.

View of the city of Alicante at night.

We reached the entrance of the castle after a 15 minute walk up the mountain.

Entrance to the Felipe II hall at Santa Barbara Castle

We entered in the Felipe II hall located in the main area of the castle. There were seats set up and we found seats at the real of the hall.

The view from our seats of the front stage

We were entertained by a soprano named Ascensión Perona. She was well-known and had studied technical vocals and interpretation in Los Angeles. She was also accompanied by pianist and composer Daniel Catalá.

Soprano Ascensión Perona and pianist Daniel Catalá performing Christmas songs in the Santa Barbara Castle.

They played a mix of Christmas songs from different countries. There were a selection of songs from “Pie Jesu” – Andrew Lloyd Webber to “White Christmas”- Irving Berlin. It was quite interesting to listen to songs from around the world as well as from regions of Spain. Below is a small sample of some of the songs.

The event was one of the many free events throughout Alicante. It was certainly worth the climb to enjoy this free Christmas concert.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Turrón Festival in Jijona, Spain

We went to the quaint town  of Jijona, which is located in the mountains in the province of Valencia. The town is located a short distance from Alicante and is known throughout Spain for its production of Turrón.  We went to take part in their annual Christmas fair which features many different types of turrón.

We arrived and found a parking spot at the base of the hill to the fair. There was a “train” that was providing free rides up to the fair, but we decided to walk up the hill.

Along the walk we came to a large nativity scene set up on the side of the mountain. We stopped to take a closer look and admire the nativity.

Nativity scene in the town of Jijona Spain
Jijona Nativity scene

After looking at the nativity scene we went up to check out the Christmas fair. We came to the main street and there was a large Christmas tree on display near the front of city hall. We stopped to get a photo with the tree.

There were tents and vender stalls lined up along both sides of the entire main street. They were selling and promoting turrón products. Turrón is a sweet which is made of sugar, honey, almonds and eggs and it is the most typical sweet eaten during Christmas here in Spain.

Turrón on display at one of the booths

People were gathered around trying free samples of different turróns.

People lined up to sample some of the turrón

We slowly walked along the street looking at the different products on display.

Different honey for sale which are also used to make the turrón

We would stop and sample some of them that interested us.

Shelley waiting to try a sample of turrón

One vender was selling a specialty liquor and was providing samples., so we just had to stop and try some.

Vendors providing samples of specialty liquors
Turrón liquor

We walked through the entire street enjoying the odd sample and seeing the different types of turrón. It was a great way to spend a beautiful afternoon.

“adios y tengas un gran dia”

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

Santander Spain

We went to port city of Santander which is the capital of the historical region of Cantabria. It is located on the north coast of Spain. We walked along the coastline which had a large park. 

Park area near the bay of Cantabria bay

We walked through the park exploring and admiring the views. We came across some bronze status, which was a memorial.

Memorial of the fire of February 15, 1945 in Santander, Spain

It was a memorial for the rebuilding of Santander after the massive fire of February 15, 1941,  which destroyed most of the city. During the fire a total of 72,211 firefighters fought the fire and its aftermath. There was only one death throughout the fire and it was a firefighter named Julian Sanchez who was from Madrid.

Ray and the memorial

The park was quite long and ran parallel to the water.  Along the parkway we came across a large structure which was quite unique.

Structure along the coastline in Santander, Spain

It is called “Centro Botín” and it is an art center with a very unique architectural design. We walked under the edge of the Centro Botin near the water.

Shelley under the base of the Centro Botin Art building in Santander
Centro Botin, Santander

The building appears split into two halves with a central connecting hallway. There is also a stairs and an elevator which allowed people to reach the roof. We decided to head to the roof and check out the views. 

Shelley and Ray on the roof of the Centro Botin art building in Santander, Spain

We continued our walk along the  park and came across some bronze statues of children, called “raqueros”.

Bronze status of children on the shoreline of Santander, Spain

Apparently the story of the statues is to depicted the children who would wait for the tourist ships to arrive at port. The tourist would trow coins into the water and the children would dive in for the coins.

Statue of child diving into the water in Santander, Spain

We walked along the park for a while before heading in to explore  the old quarter of Santander.  The waterfront parkway was a great time and a leisurely way to spend a few hours.

“Ados eta egun handia”