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Spain

Volvo Ocean Race headquarters command center

We had the honour and opportunity to have a special tour inside the Volvo Ocean Race Command Centre, which is located in the Volvo Ocean Museum in Alicante. We began our tour going through the administration area before heading into the command centre.

View of the support administration area for the Volvo Ocean Race command centre

We entered into the command centre which is located in a secure glass enclosed area. Inside the command centre there were staff monitoring the race 24 hours a day.

View of a section of the command centre of the Volvo Ocean Race

We gathered around the command centre while our guide explained some of the operations of the centre. They monitor each boat in the race tracking them in real-time by satellite.

Some of the overhead monitors in the command centre.

They are also in radio contact with each boat. During the race the boats make videos of their activities and send them back to the command centre.

Staff reviewing a video from one of the race boats.

The videos are edited and finalized in the command centre before being put online. There are stories about everyday life on the boat and stories of unique experiences they have during the race. One experience was a “ghost ship”, found by one of the Volvo Ocean Boats. They located an abandoned sailboat approximately 360 miles east of Guam on February 13, 2018. It was the SV Sea Nymph abandoned by Jennifer Appel and her crew member Tasha Fuiava nearly 3 to 4 months earlier on October 25, 2017.

https://youtu.be/L9OgNgiE2MA

We spent about an hour touring the command centre and learning about the logistical challenges of coordinating a world race. The race encompasses twelve countries over six continents and takes nine months to complete.  We found the logistics of coordinating the race very interesting.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Photo art show

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 terrace
View 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 display
Photo 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.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Visit to Pinoso Spain

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.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

A Sunday walk in Alicante

We went for a walk exploring the heart of the city of Alicante on Sunday. The walk was a leisurely one and started out walking down some of the side streets. Along the way we came across some interesting things. The first thing we encountered was a protest against cruelty to animals.

We watched the protest for a short period of time and then headed toward the old quarter. We walked down a side street and we could see something beside a garbage container.

 As we got closer we could see that it was a leg of ham still attached to the gondola ham stand. The gondola ham stand was new and the price was still attached. This one was worth almost 30 euros.

A gondola ham stand with ham left beside garbage container

After we walked by the gondola ham stand, we came to a neat little muslim bakery called “Pasteleria Oriental Alicante”. We decided to go in and check it out. We bought a few tasty treats for later in the day.

Shelley in the Muslim bakery

We walked through the old quarter of Alicante exploring different streets. We came to the barrio of Santa Cruz and explored some of the streets there.  We walked through the narrow streets admiring the flowers and decorations, it was quite beautiful.

Santa Cruz sign on the side of a building in the barrio
Typical street in the Santa Cruz  barrio in Alicante
Street in Santa Cruz

We walked through the streets and eventually worked our  way to the oldest church in Alicante.

Oldest Church in Alicante in the barrio of Santa Cruz

There was a great view of the city and the castle from the church.

View of the Castillo de Santa Barbara from the church
View of the city of Alicante from Church in Santa Cruz

After exploring the barrio of Santa Cruz, we decided to go to a terrace to enjoy a beverage. We went to the hotel called “Les Monges Palace” which has a great roof top terrace. We sat on the terrace enjoying a glass of red wine and the views.

view on the terrace of the hotel

After having a glass of wine, we headed to one of our favorite  restaurants called “La Matanza Castellana” for something to eat. We  enjoyed a nice meal and then headed home after a long walk though the city. It was a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Oktoberfest in Calpe Spain

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.

“Adios y Zicke Zacke Heu Heu”