Tag Archives: Spain culture

Spain

A day at the Island of Tabarca

We went to visit the small Island of Tabarca which is located 8 nautical miles or 15 kilometers southeast of Alicante. The small Island is a popular summer destination for tourist and locals alike. The island itself is very small with a population of only 68 inhabitants. The island is only 1750 meters long and 300 meters wide at the largest point.

Island of Tabarca in the Mediterranean Sea

We arrived on a cruise boat which is called the Kon Tiki Cuatro which ferries people across from Alicante on a daily basis.

Kon Tiki Cuatro boat

The island only has one port which is fairly small. The boats are required to drop people off and then they must leave the port to allow for other boats to dock.

The port at the Tabarca Island

We debarked the Kon Tiki Cuatro and walked down the pier towards the town. We looked in the water which was very clear. We could see fish swimming along side of the boats and the pier.

Fish swimming in the area of the pier and boats of Tabarca Island.

Tabarca Island is known for a marine reserve which is why there were so many fish.

We arrived at the town and stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. We were a very large group of approximately one hundred people. The restaurant was able to seat us all in long tables which also provided a great view of the sea.

The view from our table looking at the Mediterranean Sea.

We were served courses of traditional Spanish food which included  sea food. Ray ate the sea food although he was not too enthusiastic about the food.

Ray eating mussels

There were plenty of refreshments available as well and we enjoyed some Spanish sangria.

Shelley pouring a glass of Sangria

After lunch we went for a walk through the town. The streets have a traditional Spanish look and it was quiet and peaceful.

A street in the town of Tabarca

We walked the streets and came across some beautiful views. There were some traditional buildings including the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo. It is the only church on the island and was built-in the 17th century.  The church has a unique beauty to it because of the Mediterranean sea backdrop.

The Church of San Pedro y San Pablo.

There were other unique sites along our walk through the town. We came across some ruins with an archway which was near the edge of the island. The views were stunning and looked like something out of a movie.

Ruins and archway on Tabarca Island
Archway near the edge of the Tabarca island

We walked further and came across some stores and a cafe shop. One store was displaying their merchandise in a  different way.

clothing on display outside of the store on mannequins

Tabarca is the smallest permanently inhabited island in Spain. We enjoyed walking the streets and exploring this small island. The scenery was breathtaking. It seemed that everywhere we looked there was a beautiful view.

View from a small outlook on the island of Tabarca
View of a section of Tabraca Island
Street on Tabarca Island

We decided to get a photo taken while near the shore on Tabarca Island.

Ray and Shelley on Tabarca Island

We then headed back to the boat to return to Alicante after a great day on the Island.

Shelley and Ray getting ready to board the Kon Tiki Cuatro to return to Alicante
Shelley on the Kon Tiki Cuatro boat returning to Alicante

It was a very enjoyable day exploring the small island of Tabarca.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento

On the evening of October 21st there was a religious celebration  in Alicante called “the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento” . It is a procession which is held in Santa Cruz locate in the heart of the old quarter of Alicante.

We went to a friend’s home to watch the procession. They live in the barrio of Santa Cruz along the route of the procession. We had a balcony which overlooked the procession along one of the smallest spots in the route.

View from the balcony of the route for the Salida

The Salida extraordinria del Descendimiento has a wooden platform which is carried through the barrio of Santa Cruz. On the wooden float is a wooden carving of Jesus and other religious figures. They are all carried on a large wooden platform. The weight of the statues and  the platform is approximately 25,000 lbs (1135 kg).

Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento platform being carried through the barrio of Santa Cruz

People gather throughout the route to pray, sing and clap as the platform is carried. There are approximately 30 people who carry the heavy platform and they stop along the route for prayers and songs. There is a band which follows the procession and plays unique music for the event.

Band marching and playing music behind the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento.

We had an excellent location to watch the entire Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento. The balcony was located so close to the route that Shelley was able to reach out and touch the cross and the carving of Jesus as it went by.

Shelley on the balcony waving after the procession passed

We had a very enjoyable time, visiting with some of our friends and experiencing a Catholic Spanish tradition. We made a short video of the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento for you to enjoy. The music in the video is from the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento and was played during the procession.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

A day in Segovia, Spain

We went to the beautiful city of Segovia, located north of Madrid. The historic town of Segovia was established around 75 B.C. and is known for its Roman aqueduct.

Bev, Shelley, and Ray in Segovia near the Roman Aqueduct.

The aqueduct is a central focus of the city and was an amazing site to see. The architectural and ingenuity of the design was impressive.

Segovia Roman Aqueduct

The aqueduct was built during the first century AD and there is no mortar of any kind in the structure. It has endured the test of time delivering water until 1922 when the city blocked the flow of water through the aqueduct.

Segovia aqueduct constructed with no mortar in 1st-century A.D.
View of the two tiers of the aqueduct in Segovia

The line of arches is organized into two levels, the top pillars are both shorter and narrower than those on the lower level. On the upper level, of the aqueduct, the arches are 5.1 meters (16.1 ft) wide. The top of the structure contains a channel through which the water traveled. The overall length of the raised aqueduct section is 813 meters and is 28 meters high ( 92 feet).

One of the arches in the Segovia aqueduct.

After exploring the aqueduct, we explored the main area of Segovia and saw some of the historic sites.

Cathedral of Segovia
City hall in Segovia Spain.
View of the old quarter in central Segovia
Statue near church of San Martin in Segovia
Church of San Martin in Segovia

Segovia is also on the main route of the Camino de Santiago de Madrid. We walked along the streets of Segovia admiring the beautiful buildings. The city is rich with history and we could see it almost everywhere in the old quarter. It is truly a beautiful city.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Alcázar of Segovia, Spain

The Alcázar of Segovia is a world heritage site in beautiful Segovia Spain. This castle is unique and is recognizable by its unique style. It is claimed that Walt Disney Castle was inspired by a variety of  Castles including the Segovia Castle.

Peaked style roof at Alcázar Castle in Segovia, Spain

Note the similar style of roofs between the Disney Castle and the Alicázar Castle.

Walt Disney Cinderella Castle

The Alcázar Castle was built high above the point of two rivers on cliffs between two rivers.  The Alcázar was originally built as a fortress but over the centuries it has also been used as a royal palace, a prison, and a military garrison.

Inside the castle, there were numerous rooms with assorted artifacts. We walked through the different rooms looking at the architecture and displays.

Ray and Bev “guarding the Door” in the Alicázar castle
medieval armory on display in the castle.
Displays in the Alicázar castle

All of the ceilings were ornately decorated and painted.

One of the ceilings in the Segovia castle.

In the center of the castle, there was a large courtyard with a central fountain.

Bev and Shelley in central courtyard of the Castle in Segovia

The castle had some unique features that definitely resembled the Disney castle.

We enjoyed walking through the rooms and exploring the 12-century castle.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

A walk in the park in Madrid

I decided to take an early morning walk from my hotel to one of the biggest parks in Madrid called “Parque del Buen Retiro”. I started out walking along some of the back streets of Madrid towards the park. It was a fairly quiet walk and I was able to enjoy the serenity of being fairy alone in this large city of 3 million people. What was enjoyable was seeing things at a slower pace and noticing the beauty of the city. I walked along a quiet street and noticed some inlaid writing on the road. Normally the street would be too busy to read it.

Writing on the road in Madrid

It translates as “The Beauty” “What it is we do not know what for now with certainty mathematics, maybe we never know; but that beauty is something, that exists, that pulsates in nature, and that, just as the wave that reaches the beach breaks into foam ..  speech of entrance in the real Spanish academy” -José Eche garay

I came across some unique bronze statues or city workers that appeared to be randomly placed in areas of the city.

A statue of a street sweeper in Bronze in Madrid
A bronze statue of a worker who would light the street lamps in Madrid

I arrived early at the Parque del Buen Retiro which literally means – park of the pleasant retreat. The gate that I entered into the park was stunning and was very welcoming.

One of the gates to the Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid

The park itself has some very beautiful vistas and paths. I began to walk the paths with no set direction in mind. I was simply enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the park.

Each path would join other paths that could lead you in many directions. I walked along some of the secluded areas of the park admiring the beauty of the trees.

I eventually found my way to an area called the Crystal Palace. The palace was constructed of ornate glass and was visually stunning to see.

Crystal Palace in Madrid
A section of the crystal palace in Buen Retiro park in Madrid

The palace which was built-in 1887 to exhibit flora and fauna.

Section of the Crystal Place in Madrid

The palace was almost completely made with glass and was an impressive building. I walked around the building and came across a pond at the front of the Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid

I walked around for approximately three hours enjoying the sights and sounds of the park. There were people gathering in the park as the day progressed. I could see people jogging, kids playing, couples holding hands and people on tour bikes.

People enjoying the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid

There were some interesting groups in the park as well. One group was doing synchronized moves using Spanish hand fans called “Abanico”

Another group was playing music for money as people walked by.

Musicians playing music in the park for donations.

The Buen Retiro Park is a beautiful and a large nature area in the heart of Madrid.

Below are some of the pictures that I took of the Buen Retiro Park.

It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. I recommend to anyone who goes to Madrid to take a relaxing day and walk through the park.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”