2021 has been one tough year and we are glad to say that it is over. We now hope that 2022 will be a lot better and the world will find some sense of normal. We are making plans for some new and exciting adventures for this year. We hope to incorporate a lot more travel and to see more of our family and friends. Until then we want to simply wish everyone a very healthy, safe and Happy New Year.
We say good bye to 2021 with a few photos of our travels and adventures from the past year.
The view of the beach in Alicante in MRay and Shelley in a Winery in the Rioja Regions of SpainRay sitting on a chair of a statue of a shoe shine man in the town of Haro SpainShelley overlooking a valley in the Rioja region of SpainView of the town of Bastida in the region of Rioja.The river of Ebro in the Rioja region of SpainShelley and Ray with fields of grape wines in Rioja region of SpainPart of the fortified castle in the town of SajazarraShelley with fresh Pomegranates picked from a wild tree in the mountains near AlicanteView of the sunset from our terrace in AlicanteRay and Shelley at Christmas time 2021 in Alicante
“Feliz año nuevo y deseándote un próspero y seguro 2022”
We took a day trip to Benissa Spain. This small town is located approximately an hour drive from the city of Alicante. It is one of the oldest towns located on the Costa Blanca. It was originally established in 987 by the Moores. The name Benissa comes from the Arabic tribal name Beni-Hisa or Beni-Eyce, which means (sons of Christ).
Marble monument commemorating the establishment of the town of Benissa
We explored the old medieval town centre and came across some beautiful narrow streets, with decorative tiles, flowers and cast iron railings.
One of the narrow streets in Benissa SpainStreet in the medieval town centre of Benissa
There was a bakery and other cafe shops and pubs in and around the main square of the town . We found a nice pub and enjoyed a refreshment while enjoying the beautiful views.
It was a great little town with a medieval city centre, that was well worth exploring.
We are staying quiet and not travelling as we wait for our vaccine and the return to a sense of normal. Although we have been quiet we have been looking at our blog and branching out to more of a video presence.
Here is a small ¨teaser¨ as we develop and make videos for future travel blogs.
We took a tour with a small group to a historic building called the Casa Mediterráneo. It is located in the downtown area of Alicante close to the bus station.
Shelley at the front of the Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante
The top tower of the building has a unique difference, can you spot it?
Top of Casa Mediterráneo in AlicanteInside the Casa Mediterráneo
Casa Mediterráneo is a public consortium made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and other organizations.
It was the former train station of Alicante before it was converted into the Casa Mediterráneo. Now the building is used to promote mutual interest between Spain and the rest of the countries of the Mediterranean basin.
Roof area of the Casa Mediterranean in AlicanteView from rear of the Casa Mediterráneo
Some of the general uses of Casa Mediterráneo are to encourage or promote knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean region. There are free concerts and other public events held in the Casa Mediterráneo.
Shelley and Ray in reflection from mirror in the Casa Mediterráneo
The design of the roof and frame was apparently designed by a student of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel tower in Paris.
Ornate design of roof beams in Casa MediterráneoView of interior beamsOriginal metal located in the Casa MediterráneoOriginal train tracks located at the Casa Mediterráneo
The city of Alicante along with other agencies salvaged the building which was at one time left in disrepair. It has now become a repurposed building and a beautiful structure along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Rear view of the Casa Mediterráneo
One of the many unique and beautiful buildings in Alicante.
I was out exploring the city of Alicante when I came across the Municipal cemetery of Alicante. The main entrance was quite impressive for a cemetery and so I decided to take a walk through the cemetery and look around. I spent over two hours walking around exploring this historic and interesting cemetery.
Entrance to the cemetery of Alicante
Inside the main entrance was an area with washrooms and a sitting area. Beyond the entrance was the main road which had flowers, benches and monuments along the way.
One of the statues along the main road in the cemetery
Along the main road of the cemetery there was smaller side roads. that branched off. Each row contained many different grave stones, monuments and statues.
I walked each row looking at the many unique and interesting funeral plots. There were family plots that were hundreds of years old and some which contained interesting feature. Below are a few of the interesting monuments and grave stones.
One of the branches off the main road in the municipal cemetery of Alicante
Some of the grave stones were actually more of a piece of art than a grave stone.
A family grave site with ornate and beautiful statues.
Large cross and statue overlooking a family plot.
I saw some very large mausoleums that looked more like small churches than a mausoleum.
The cemetery was surrounded by a stone wall which also served as a columbarium wall.
Columbarium wall in the municipal cemetery of Alicanteotter wall of cemetery with Columbarium
The cemetery is quite large and contains tradition type grave stones as well as simple burial stones.
It was an interesting walk and makes you realize just how precious our time on earth is. We wish everyone good health and safety throughout this pandemic.
“Vive la vida al máximo y disfruta de cada momento como si fuera el último, porque un día lo será.”
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