We were invited to a jazz evening in El Campello and decided to go and check it out. We took the TRAM from Luceros to El Campello which takes about 30 minutes.
Entrance to the TRAM at Luceros in Alicante
We then walked about 5 minutes to the Jazz event being held at the Casa de Cultura.
Casa de Cultura in El Campello
We arrived 15 minutes early but the place was already packed. There was standing room only so we decided to stand at the back to watch the jazz. There was no ventilation and the room was very warm.
Packed room waiting for the jazz band to start playing.
The band came out and began playing some jazz music which was interesting to listen to. It is not our typical type pf music but was a nice change.
We listened to the music for about a half hour then decided to leave because it was very warm and uncomfortable standing.
We headed back towards the TRAM and came across some friends having dinner at an outside patio. They invited us to stay and visit so we enjoyed some time chatting with friends. We then took the TRAM back to Alicante and stopped at one of our favorite restaurants called Mish Mish.
Shelley at Mish Mish restaurant Alicante
The restaurant was busy and there were lots of people outside enjoying the great weather. We had some tasty tapas before heading home.
It was an enjoyable evening of relaxation, Jazz, and good company.
On Sunday we decided to take a nice bike ride with our friend Filipe through parts of Alicante. There are so many beautiful sights and scenes in the city that each day is a great chance to explore. We started in the center of the city and worked our way down towards the waterfront. We cycled along the waterfront enjoying the view
Ray and Shelley along the waterfront in Alicante
We came across a group of people singing and chanting in Russian along the waterfront. Some were dressed in traditional Russian dress.
Russian march along the waterfront
We decided to take a break and watch them for a while before heading on.
Ray, Shelley, and Filipe taking a break on waterfront boardwalk
We continued along the coastline for a few kilometers admiring the vistas.
Shelley and Ray on the coast of Mediterranean Sea.
We came across a lookout area and took some time to admire the views.
Ray, Filipe and Shelley on the lookout admiring the view
After biking along the coast we headed into the old quarter of Alicante. We cycled through the old streets of Alicante and came to a beautiful old neighborhood called Barrio de Santa Cruz.
They decorate the streets with flowers and colorful ornaments to welcome the Fiesta of the Crosses of May. They hold a fiesta and decorate flower crosses which are judged for the best design. The fiesta ends on the 1st of May and we missed the fiesta but we were able to see the winning cross still on display.
Ray and Shelley in front of the Winning Flower cross of the Fiesta in Barrio de Santa Cruz
We then headed back into the center of the city and came across an art exhibit. It was set up with local artist displaying their work and some artist were painting as well. We stopped and decided to check it out.
Shelley looking at some of the artwork on display
There were some very talented artists and we watch several of them work on their art. We could recognize some of the Spanish landmarks they had painted in some of the paintings.
As we walked throughout the displays we came across a beautiful water feature.
Water feature in the park with artist
After viewing the art we stopped at a new Italian restaurant called “ll Typico”. We were introduced to the owner Felice Falanga by our friend Filipe and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Filipe, the owner Felice Falanga, Shelley and Ray
Overall another great adventure in Alicante. Each day brings new adventures and experiences.
We went the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with friends from Canada. The construction of the basilica began in 1882 and after the architect resigned in 1883, Antoni Gaudí took charge of the project. The Basilica still remains unfinished and construction continues with approximately 70 percent completed. The art nouveau design makes the basilica an impressive and amazing architectural building.
We walked towards the entrance admiring the massive and ornate design.
Looking at the main entrance area of the Basilica
We entered the basilica through a large and ornate entrance. The design was very busy with many different features. We took our time to look at the various designs finding unique features throughout it.
Front entrance of the Basilica
Looking up in the arch to the entrance of the basilica
Inside the basilica, we were overwhelmed by the massive structure and unique design.
Stained glass windows in basilicapillars and stained glass windows inside the basilicaView of the pillars and ceiling in section of the basilicaThe design of the ceiling and stained glass made the lighting inside the basilica look almost supernaturalRay, Sarah, and Steve in the basilicaStained glass throughout the height of the basilica walls
We walked through the main floor area of the basilica admiring the design. The view of the main altar area was incredible. The massive pillars and use of lighting made it quite impressive.
View of the altar area of the basilica
The lighting that entered at the top of the ceiling was reflected by what appeared as gold or copper metal.
Light from the ceiling above the altar reflecting on a copper or gold metal.
The altar also contained a statue of Jesus hanging from the cross.
Jesus on cross hanging above the altar in Basilica
We then walked through a passageway to an exterior section of the basilica. There we admired the outside designs taking our time to see the details. Some of the statues and designs were strange and intriguing.
Design on outside of the BasilicaDesign on the door entrance area of the basilicaRoman killing infants while person trying to stop himTurtle at the base of the pillar on outside of basilicadetails on outside of the basilicaintricate details on the outside of the basilicaThree wise men depicted on basilica
We went through another passageway and down stairs to a lower section of the basilica. This section contained some of the original drawings and plaster models for the design of the basilica. This was also the area where work continues on the completion of the basilica.
Model of section of the basilicaWork area for the completion of parts of the basilica
We then headed to the crypt area to see where Antoni Gaudí was entombed.
The tomb of Antoni Gaudí in the basilica
It was a very interesting and unique basilica. Well worth seeing and recommend if you get a chance to see it.
We went to Cartagena and explored this wonderful city. Located on the coast of the mediterranean sea, it has a long and rich history. We walked through the streets in the old quarter of Cartagena and admired some of the unique architecture.
Architecture in the old quarter in Cartagena
What was very different was the walkway itself which was covered in beautiful marble and was polished smooth.
the polished marble on the walkways in the old quarter of Cartagena
We walked along the streets and came across city hall which had nice architectural features.
City hall in Cartagena Spain
We went into city hall and checked out the lobby area. There was security at the door and we were not able to explore the remainder of city hall.
Shelley and Ray at the base of the main stairway in city hall in Cartagena
The ceiling had beautiful features and was stunning to see.
Ceiling above the main staircase in city hall in Cartagena
The outside features of city hall were also impressive.
above the main entrance of city hall in CartagenaA section of city hall in Cartagena
The building was attacked repeatedly over the centuries and there are remnants of damage from cannon balls hitting the building.
Damage caused by a cannon ball visible on the wall at city hall
We then walked down towards the waterfront and admired the views from the boardwalk.
Boardwalk area near the waterfront in Cartagena, Spain
We came across a sailor and decided to get our picture taken with him.
Ray and Shelley with statue of sailor near the waterfront in Cartagena, Spain
The views from the waterfront were great and we walked the full length of the boardwalk.
The marina area in Cartagena, Spain
We saw many beautiful boats and the view of the mountains was spectacular. Overall a very enjoyable day in Cartagena.
One of our favorite sites in Cartagena was the Roman theater. When we first walked to the top of the hill and saw the theater for the first time it was spectacular. It was located on the hillside which made it quite large and impressive.
View from the top of the Roman theater in Cartagena, Spain
The theater was much larger than we expected and it could hold up to 7000 spectators. The theater was in use between 5 and 1 BC and it was in excellent condition considering how ancient the structure was.
Ray and Shelley with Roman Theater in the background.section of the Roman theater
We were able to freely walk throughout the majority of the theater admiring the architecture. The design of the theater was similar to a modern theater with exit aisles and divided into sections to accommodate the spectators.
Aisles divide the theater into sections for the spectators
We walked to the lower section of the theater and could see some of the marble columns which held up the wooden sections of the structure.
Columns in Roman theater in CartagenaColumns at the outer wall of the theater.
The entire theater was well designed and had spectacular features. The stone stairs were even cut out and designed.
Stairs carved out of stone in theater
We walked throughout the theater for almost an hour enjoying the beautiful historic site.
Section at the base of the theaterCorridor to the section behind the seating areaRay in section at base of the theater
It is truly hard to imagine the amount of history that occurred in the theater since 5 BC. It was a great experience and a very enjoyable time
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