We went for a visit to the town of Pinoso, which was having a fiesta on that day. This quaint little town is named after the pines which are located throughout it.
The pines along the main road in Pinoso
We walked through the streets and made our way to the fiesta.
Entrance area of the fiesta in Pinoso
We went through the gate and came across a large crowd of people. We walked along the many rows of tables which displayed different items.
Display of traditional quilts and local wines
There were people displaying traditional techniques of weaving etc.
An Artisan explaining and demonstrating the making of weaved baskets for grape collecting.
We watched a few of the displays and then continued along the rows of tables. We came across a children’s area where the children were gathered dancing and doing different artwork. Some of the children were dressed in the traditional dress.
Children in traditional dress
Felipe and I even took some time to take a photo in local traditional style.
Felipe and Ray having their photo in a traditional style
We came to the main stage area of the fiesta. There were people in traditional dress performing a traditional dance. We stopped and watched the performance for a few minutes enjoying the show.
We then went to check out the food tents which were lined up along an entire street.
Food tents with traditional Spanish dishes
We went along looking at the different menus and food before deciding to try certain food. We opted for some paella and a glass of local wine. It was served with a special tray to help you along the walk.
Paella and glass of red wine in carrying tray
After trying some local food we walked along the fiesta enjoying the music and sounds of the fiesta.
Ray and Shelley at the Pinoso Fiesta
We enjoyed our time in Pinoso, it was an interesting and enjoyable way to spend a day.
We went to see the funeral procession and burning of the Sardine which was on Valentine’s day this year. We decided to head down early and meet up with friends for a drink and then see the burning of the sardine.
The funeral procession is a symbolic end to indulgence and the start of lent, People dress up in black and wear veils and walk behind a wooden effigy of a sardine.
Funeral procession of the sardine
The funeral procession walks through some of the streets and then ends in the Plaza Del Carmen. This is when they commence the burning of the effigy. There is a person who says some prayers and chants on the loss of indulgence and the beginning of lent.
Person saying the prayers at the burning of the sardine
There are people dressed in red devil type clothing who run around the effigy with burning fireworks in their hands. It is quite something to see people dancing around with live fireworks going off in their hands.
People with live fireworks in their hands running around the effigy
After some time they set the sardine on fire using the fireworks to start it.
Lighting the sardine on fire with fireworks
We watched the entire burning of the sardine near the front and had a great view.
We stayed until the end of the sardine burning and enjoyed the party for a while.
Our group of friends at the burning of the sardine
Here is a short video of the burning of the sardine.
We had a great time and enjoyed “burning the sardine”
We went to a very popular Oktoberfest which is located in Calpe, Spain. The city of Calpe is located approximately 75 kilometers from the city of Alicante. We took a small private bus tour to Calpe and arrived at the Oktoberfest around 6:30 pm.
On tour bus headed to Calpe
The event had just opened for the evening when we arrived. The bar area was lining up the Glasses in preparation for the crowd that would inevitably arrive.
Bar area of Oktoberfest in Calpe at the start of the event
We went and found a great table for our group to sit and enjoy the evening. Our group found a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the event.
The gang sitting at our table at the beginning of the Oktoberfest event
We were close to the main stage and could easily see the entertainment.
Stage area of the Oktoberfest in Calpe
It wasn’t long before the seating was full and the beer was flowing.
The people enjoying the Oktoberfest in Calpe
Our server Bennie was very busy but always seemed to be enjoying himself.
Bennie our server delivering drinks to the table
We watched the entertainment and enjoyed the music from the band. The band was called the “Steinsberger” and they were very talented. After each song they would sing “Zicke Zacke Heu Heu” and everyone would toast and have a drink of beer. Of course we would have to toast with the crowd at every zicke zacke heu heu. (we didn’t want to be rude).
The group toasting after a Zicke Zacke heu heu chant
There were all kinds of food being served including Bratwurst, Pretzel Rolls with Caraway Salt, Wiener Schnitzel and Beer Braised Briskets. Barbara enjoyed some of the Oktoberfest food.
Barbara enjoying some local Oktoberfest food
We even enjoyed posing for a photo in the cutout in the Oktoberfest.
Ray and Shelley at Oktoberfest Calpe
We put together a small video to give you a “taste” of the Oktoberfest Calpe experience. We had an enjoyable time visiting the Oktoberfest Calpe.
We were invited by our friend Felipe to go and see the Moors and Christians Fiesta parade in Villena with him and his mom. They had front row balcony seats for the parade. The parade is one of the most famous and spectacular Moors and Christian parades in Spain.
We arrived in the quaint town of Villena at around 4 p.m. There were vehicles parked everywhere and it was difficult to find a parking spot. We parked around five blocks from the center of town and walked slowly towards the main street of Villena.
Shelley and Carmen-Maria walking towards the center of Villena
As we walked along the streets there were large crowds of people all heading towards the center of town.
Crowds of people walking towards the center of town.
As we walked through the streets we came across groups of people participating in the parade. They were dressed up, some were in very elaborate costumes. We stopped to have our picture taken with one group of “Moors” dressed up for the parade.
Bev, Shelley, Carmen-Maria, and Ray with parade participants in the Moors and Christian Festival in Villena, Spain
We arrived at the center of town and met Felipe’s friend, José Luís Valero. José had seats at the very front of the parade route for us.
José was a famous “Cabo” for comparsa andaluces group. He won many awards and in fact, there was a song composed for him which is used in the parade every year. José was a great host and was very energetic and fun.
José, Bev, and Carmen-Maria at the parade
José treated us like family and provided drinks and made the parade even more enjoyable. We had the best seats to see the parade up close.
Shelley, Ray, and Carmen-Maria sitting at the front watching the parade
The parade was massive with over 12,000 people who participated in it. There were seven groups that represent the Moorish, and seven groups which represent the Christian. Each one of these groups was made up of several hundred male and female participants. We watched as groups representing the Moors marched by wearing beautiful and ornate costumes.
Female parade participants dressed in Moorish costumes.Males dressed in Moorish costumes in the parade
Each group of “Moors” marching in the parade had their own specific costume design. They also had bands following behind each group playing choreographed music. It was an impressive display by the participants of the parade. At the front of each section, there was a head person called a “Cabo” leading the group. They strutted in elaborate and deliberate moves making the march quite impressive.
“Cabo” leading the group in the parade“Cabo” doing different moves throughout the parade
There were horses, camels, and donkeys in the parade as well. Some of the horses would stand on their hind legs and perform along the parade route.
One of the many horses in the paradeParade participants on horseback“Cabo” on horseback leading a group in the paradeOne of the camels in the parade.Cabo on a camel leading a group in parade
We watched the different groups march in the parade, each group with their own unique and beautiful costumes. Some of the costumes cost over 15,000 euros for each one.
A group of “Moors” in the paradeParade participants in Moors and Christian ParadeA Cabo leading a group of females in paradeCostume with skulls and bones in paradeOne of the amazing costumes in the Moors and Christian paradeA costume with feathers and gold material
Some of the costumes were very detailed and stunning to see. Some of the costumes were pieces of art adorned with feathers or with other unique items.
Costumes with blue feathers in parade
Costumes with beautiful yellow feathers
Even the back of the costumes had very ornate and beautiful decorations.
View of the rear of some of the costumes.
The Parade started at 4:30 p.m. and we stayed until 8:30 p.m. and the Moors section of the parade was still going on. The entire parade last in excess of six hours. There were so many beautiful costumes and great music from the many different bands. Below is a small collection of photos from the Moors section of the Parade.
The many bands that played specific songs for each group were also very enjoyable. We watched and listened in awe as the parade just continued for hours. We put together a short video of some of the parade.
It was a very surreal feeling being able to be so close to the parade. We had front row seats with a well-known “Cabo” José, which made the event even more memorial. To say that the parade was amazing would be an understatement. It was spectacular and beautiful, something we will remember for a long time.
We were fortunate to have friends with a sailboat and they learned about a flotilla event at the marina. The flotilla is a traditional maritime procession in honor of the “Virgen del Carmen”, the patron saint of sailors. We headed down to the marina to meet Mike and Liz and then go and check it out.
View from the harbor Mike and Liz Sailboat
We headed out on the boat and went towards the exit of the harbor to be ready for the flotilla. On the way out of the harbor, we came across a unique luxury cruise ship.
Star Clipper luxury cruise ship docked at the harbor in Alicante
The luxury cruise ship is 134 meters long and is considered the largest sailing ship in the world.
We found a good location at the mouth of the harbor along with other boaters to wait for the flotilla to start.
At the mouth of the Harbor ready to start the flotilla, with Shelley, Ray, Mike, and Liz.
Once the flotilla procession started, there were even, more boats that joined in.
Some of the boats in the flotilla
We navigated out of the harbor following along side the main boat of the flotilla.
Main boat in the flotilla which carries the Statue of Virgin del Carmen
On the main boat, was a statue of the Virgin del Carmen proudly displayed on the roof of the cabin. The boat also was also playing a song over loudspeakers. The boaters would sound their air horns from time to time. The whole experience was very interesting and enjoyable.
Statue of Virgin Del Carmen, the patron saint of Sailors.
We followed the flotilla for about an hour along the coastline of the Mediterranean before the flotilla stopped. At that point, the lead boat cited two prayers. The first prayer was for the protection of sailors and fisherman who are dependant on the sea for their living. The second prayer was for the lost souls who died in the sea.
When the prayers were finished, the flotilla headed back to the harbor. It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience.
Ray and Shelley at the Pinoso Fiesta
You must be logged in to post a comment.