We were invited to a local professional basketball game in Alicante. We were not aware that Alicante was the home to the “Lucentum” professional basketball team.
We arrived early to the game which gave us time to explore the stadium.
View of the one end of the stadiumView of the basketball court from the second level of the stadium
We found our seats and settled in to watch the game. The players came out and began to practice and warm up. We watched them do several different drills before the start of the game.
Players warming up before the game.
We had good seats and could enjoy a close up view of the game.
View from our seats of the basketball game
We watched the game go back and forth with a close score throughout the game. There were only a few points between the teams with only a minute and a half left in the game.
Scoreboard with only minute and a half remaining
We watched on the edge of our seat as the home team of Alicante won the game by one point. It was a very enjoyable experience and an impressive game.
We went to Benidorm and Polop on Sunday to explore the “Car Boot Sales” which is a traditional used goods sale. We started off early and enjoyed the drive to Polop which is located not far from Benidorm in the mountains.
View of the “Sleeping Lion” mountain near PolopBoot Sale in Polop
The people buy a space for five euros and they lay out their items for sale. There are four or five streets full of people selling every type of item imaginable.
view of part of the street in Polop
We walked along the main street looking at different items. They had some Spanish dolls for sale wearing the tradition Spanish dress.
Some dolls for sale in Polop
Some of the items were interesting and others were very common and considered junk by some people.
Used items on display and for sale in PolopShelley walking along the street in Polop
They had areas set up for food and drinks. There was even a bar area for people to have a cold beer and a truck selling roasted chickens.
Roasted chickens for sale on the street in Polop
We walked around for about an hour looking at the displayed items.
We found it interesting but did not buy anything.
We then headed to Benidorm where each Sunday they have a large sale of antiques and other used items. There was a permanent pavilions set up where people would sell antiques or other collectables. We walked through the different rows of items checking it out.
Shelley and Felipe looking at some of the items for sale in Benidorm
We came across a vender who was selling millitary items. There were some very interesting items for sale, including WWII books, photos uniforms, etc.
Military uniforms and WWII paraphernalia for sale in BenidormWWII books and photos for sale in Benidorm
We headed into the main enclosed pavilion and looked at the antiques. They had a large variety of antique furniture, paintings and other items which were quite interesting.
Some of the antiques on display in Benidormantiques on sale in Benidorm
It was an enjoyable day and very interesting looking at items from the European culture.
We decided to go and check out the opening night of a local photo art show with some friends. It was a beautiful evening and we walked to the converted old tabacco factory which now is hosting the art show. The building and grounds were beautiful with palm trees and a very unique restaurant.
Sonja and Shelley on the walkway leading to the refurbished tabacco factory.Entrance walkway into the old tabacco factory property
We walked up the long walkway towards the building and came across a restaurant.
Ray looking at the unique design of the terrace
The outside terrace area was uniquely designed with wooden slats.
Front entrance of the restaurant
The restaurant was closed but we were able to walk inside the terrace area and look at the design more closely.
Outside design of the lats on the terraceView of the slats used to form the design
The design made for a very interesting terrace.
A side view of the terrace
We walked to the main entrance area of the large building. It was refurbished and was now used for special events such as the art show.
Front facade of the refurbished tabacco factory
Inside there was an area with a table set up for complimentary drinks and an area with information pamphlets.
Entrance area with tables and pamphlets
The photo art show was officially launched with some key people speaking at the podium. We listened to the speeches before exploring the art.
Opening ceremony for the launch of the photo art exhibit
We walked around the exhibit enjoying the unique or different photography. Some of the photos were quite interesting while others seemed ordinary.
Different photos on displayPhoto art displayed in the long corridor of the converted factory.One of the photos on display
After spending about an hour at the exhibit, we enjoyed a nice leisure walk home. It was a great way to spend a beautiful evening in Alicante.
The Spanish navy was recruiting and docked some ships at the marina in Alicante. We went down to the marina to check it out.
Spanish Navy recruiting in the Alicante Marina
We also had an opportunity to enjoy a tour of one of the minesweeper ships.
minesweepers docked in the Alicante marina
We met with one of the officers of the ship and he took us for a tour of the ship.
Officers of the Spanish minesweeper preparing to do a tour
We boarded the ship and went to the stern of the ship to begin the tour. We walked through the top area of the ship and looked at some of the equipment located there. One piece of equipment was an underwater camera system.
Underwater camera system
There was an underwater mini submarine used to locate underwater mines. The submarine had special tools attached that could be used to cut cables or pick up items underwater.
Underwater remote control mini sub.
There was even a decompression chamber for their divers located on board.
Decompression chamber for divers
We then walked up stairs to the bridge section of the ship.
Ray on stairs of the ship.
The bridge of the ship was interesting. There were manual and computer controls for the ship. The control of the entire ship could be done with only one crew member.
Controls on the main bridge of the shipRay on the observation seat of the bridge
Ray even had an opportunity to sit down and enjoy the view from the bridge of the ship.
The view from the observation chair in the Bridge of the ship
We then headed down a set of stairs to the sonar room. The sonar room was equipped with several computer stations and some computer screens located on the walls. No photos were allowed in this room because of security.
We then saw some living quarters, and other rooms for the 41 members of the crew. Afterwards we headed back to the topside of the ship. Ray took the opportunity to check out one of the machine guns.
Ray holding a machine gun
We had a great time seeing the ship. The tour was very informative and enjoyable.
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.
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