Tag Archives: Spain

Sailing the Mediterranean Sea

June 7, 2016 chaput@live.com 3 Comments

Friends of ours were going sailing on Sunday and invited us to come along. Sunday was a beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze, perfect for sailing. We headed down to the marina to meet them and go out onto the Mediterranean sailing for the day.

We arrived around 11 a.m. and climbed aboard the “Hegaldi” sailboat. Mike and Liz were preparing the sailboat for the launch. We wanted to help but not knowing anything about sailing we were more of an observer than a worker.

IMG_20160605_110216112 — Mike preparing to launch the sailboat

Once we were underway it was a slow maneuver out of the large and crowded marina. There are boats of every shape and size in the marina.

IMG_20160605_111059275 — Different boats in Alicante Marina

Once we were out of the harbor Mike and Liz raised the sails and we were underway. We stayed within sight of the coastline and sailed east. The water in the Mediterranean sea is a beautiful azure colour.

IMG_20160605_123717344 — Azure colour of the Mediterranean Sea on coastline of Alicante

It was such a peaceful and quiet way to travel on the water. There was only the sound of the waves lapping at the boat and the wind in the sails. We travelled around six or seven knots on average and had a beautiful view of the coastline.

IMG_20160605_143059728_HDR — Shelley and Ray with the coastline in the background

We sailed for approximately two hours and then anchored at a nice beach area. We enjoyed lunch on the boat and chatted for a while before heading back to Alicante. On the way back Mike gave us the helm and let us steer the boat, (not really there is an autopilot that kept the boat going the right way) but it made for a good picture.

IMG_20160605_143138053 — Ray pretending to sail the boat

Like any good team, my co-pilot also gave it a try.

IMG_20160605_143210606 — Shelley at the wheel of the boat.

We had an enjoyable sailing trip and saw the Alicante coastline from a different vantage point. I brought along my brand new selfie stick and tried it out. Mike and Liz were good sports and let me take lots of pictures.

IMG_20160605_142303936 — Ray, Shelley, Mike and Liz sailing on the Mediterranean sea

We were sailing for about four hours and the sun was quite hot. When we finished sailing and docked the boat we decided to head to a local bar for a nice cool and relaxing drink.

IMG_20160605_162957362_HDR — Ray, Shelley, Mike and Liz at local bar having a nice drink

The bartender was quite attentive and generous with the alcohol. There was plenty of gin in the gin and tonics.

IMG_20160605_170129273_HDR — The bartender poured the gin and tonics using a freehand guess as to an ounce of gin. He wasn’t very good at guessing correctly.

We finished off our drinks and said our goodbyes. It was a wonderful day and very enjoyable.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

June is here it is time for the Festival de Fugueres

June 4, 2016 chaput@live.com 2 Comments

In June, there is the festival called “Fogueres de Sant Joan” it is also known as “Hogueras de San Juande” in Alicante. It is the largest celebration and biggest festival in Alicante. The official celebration begins on June 20th and includes events such as the “Mascletàs” A major fireworks competition. There is the Pregón, which is the setting up of the bonfires known as “La Plantà”. There is also a procession of the effigies known as the Cabalgata del Ninot. There is also parades with a floral tribute to the Virgen del Remedy.

Although the official festival begins on June 20th the celebrations begin on June 4th. Around 1 p.m. we headed down to the Luceros plaza which is located in the centre of town. The plaza was cordoned off with fences and police security.

IMG_20160604_131203718 — Luceros plaza in centre of Alicante

IMG_20160604_130926201 — Luceros plaza cordoned off for the Mascletàs (fireworks) event

We walked around the plaza area checking it out. We came across a nice cafe and decided to stop in for a drink before the start of the “Mascletàs”.

IMG_20160604_124544159 (1) — Ray having a cold beer before the start of the “Mascletàs”

We then headed out and found a shaded area to watch the “Mascletàs”. There were lots of people gathered around having drinks and waiting for the fireworks. Some people were wearing costumes and paper hats. It was a very festive atmosphere with lots of laughing and singing.

IMG_20160604_131737983 — People wearing paper hats

IMG_20160604_133832209 — Major crowd at the “Mascletàs”

IMG_20160604_124032018 (1) — people wearing costumes or matching T-shirts

IMG_20160604_131534492 — Shelley and Ray waiting for the start of the fireworks

There were firefighters “bomberos” who were there to set off the fireworks as well as fire protection.

IMG_20160604_131744906 — Fire truck parked in the Luceros plaza.

Inside the fenced off area, there was an area for the representatives of the fogueres referred to as “Fire beauties and ladies” They were the focus of the local media and were part of the Mascletàs event.

IMG_20160604_131702222 — The representatives of the fogueres de Sant Joan

IMG_20160604_131518900 — Media taking pictures of the representatives of the fogueres de Sant Joan

As the time grew closer people were anticipating the event and you could feel the anticipation. Once the fireworks started the people watched and cheered. The fireworks began with smaller explosions and noise which gradually grew to an amazing sound of explosions and smoke. The sound was tremendous and gave us both goosebumps. Once the fireworks were completed people cheered by waving the hands in the air and singing a Spanish song.

Below is the video of the atmosphere just before the actual Mascletàs and the fireworks display itself. We hope you enjoy it although it does not come close to actually being there.

It was a very interesting and amazing event and very neat to see and hear. We definitely enjoyed the day and the display of fireworks.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

The cathedral in Valencia

May 17, 2016 chaput@live.com

We went to see the “Iglesia Catedral-Basílica Metropolitana de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de Valencia” which translates in english to “Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia”. It is referred to as simply the Valencia Cathedral which is a lot easier to say. It is a beautiful gothic style church and is not overly ornate on the outside, but still impressive.

P1030016 — Iglesia Catedral-Basílica Metropolitana de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de Valencia

Inside the church there are high ceilings with arches with a central dome that has eight windows around the base of the dome.

IMG_20160513_112645709 — Central dome of Valencia Church with 8 windows surrounding the base

There is also a beautiful Star of David shaped stained glass window at one end wall of the church. The Two triangles represent the male and female of humanity. They are a balance between male and female and represent unity and balance.

IMG_20160513_113125245 (1) — Star of David stained glass window at Valencia Cathedral

We had the opportunity to see some impressive historic things at the Cathedral. We took our time and walked around looking at the chapels and at some of the ornamental features of the church. We came across an area called the Chapel of Resurrection which was gold coloured and behind metal bars.

chapel or resurrection — Chapel of Resurrection Valencia Cathedral

Once we looked closer at the Chapel of Resurrection we could see a glass front ornate box that had something on display inside.

IMG_20160513_113518109 — Ornate box with glass front

On closer look we could see inside the glass box and there was the severed mummified arm of Saint Vincent on display.

IMG_20160513_113512611 (2) — Mummified severed arm of Saint Vincent at Valencia Cathedral

The Catholic history states that Saint Vincent, deacon of Saragossa, was tortured in Valencia during the persecution of Diocletian in 304. The news of his faith spread across the Church and he was considered one of the main representative saints of Spain. Towards 1104, the Bishop of Valencia at that time went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and carried with him the left mummified arm of St. Vincent. As this ecclesiastic died suddenly in Bari (Italy), the relic was left there and was being passed on up to being in possession of Mr. Pietro Zampieri from Vigonovo (Venice). In 1970 he gave it to the Cathedral together with the bronze reliquary made in a Venecian style. (Ref. Valencia Cathedral)

Another impressive area was the high altar of the Cathedral. It has beautiful ornate features and a mural on the ceiling which is stunning.

IMG_20160513_113922976 — View of high altar in Valencia Cathedral

IMG_20160513_112955676_HDR — View of the main high altar of Valencia Cathedral

Throughout the Cathedral there were some stunning oil paintings depicting religious scenes. A few of them are below.

IMG_20160513_112651800 — Oil painting in Valencia Cathedral

IMG_20160513_112659589 — Francisco de Goya portrait in the St. Francis Borgia chapel.

IMG_20160513_113052858 — Oil paintings and stain glass window of Mary at Valencia Cathedral

IMG_20160513_113617707 — Oil Painting depicting the reconquest

One of the paintings depicts the reconquest against the Moors in October 1238.

We went to the Holy Chalice Chapel which is off in a section of the church away from the main chapels. The entrance and hallway to the chapel was unassuming.

IMG_20160513_114521317 — Leading into the Holy Chalice Chapel at Valencia Cathedral

Inside the Holy Chalice Chapel there were rows of pews and a main altar area. The altar and back wall were quite ornate and the centre section contained the Holy Chalice.

chalice alter — Altar in the Holy Chalice Chapel at Valencia Cathedral

We came in and sat quietly in one of the pews looking at the altar and the Chalice. It was difficult to see the Chalice on display at first because of the bright light which was shinning on it. The Chalice is not overly large and we were not able to get too close because it was cordoned off approximately eight feet away.

P1030217 — View of the chalice from the front pew of Chapel

The history of why this is the authenticated original Holy Chalice and how it ended up in Valencia Spain is a long complicated history. I won’t list the history here in the blog, but if you are interested this link will give you the info. http://www.catedraldevalencia.es/en/el-santo-caliz_historia.php

The Cathedral also has a bell tower know as the “Campanar de la Cathedral” which translates to “Bell tower of the cathedral”. We decided to not go up the tower and to just took at it from the outside. The tower was built beginning in approximately 1380 and over the years it was extended and finished.

The bell tower is a landmark and quite visible above the remainder of the buildings around it.

P1030198 — view of bell tower in fore grounds with the Valencia Cathedral in the background

P1030143 (1) — View of Valencia Cathedral Bell tower in the distant horizon

We enjoyed the artifacts and the rich history of the Cathedral. It was very interesting and an impressive day for us.

“adios y que tenga un grand días”

Canada

Less than 3 weeks before we move to Pembroke

November 22, 2015 chaput@live.com

It is less than 3 weeks before we move from our Kingston residence back to our home town of Pembroke before heading to Spain. Our friends in Kingston and area have been meeting with us and wanting to spend time before we head out. We find ourselves meeting with our friends, enjoying our limited time together. This is both a happy and sad time for us. It is always sad when you are saying good-bye and not sure how long before you may see them again.

The fermented Friday group of friends we have, took us out for a going away dinner at the Sakura Japanese Restaurant. It was very heartfelt with lots of laughs. We had lots of fun. We have been deeply moved by the show of support and caring by everyone. The offer of use of their vehicles, help with furniture and overall willingness to help us with anything has been very humbling.

IMG-20151121-00060 — Sakura Japanese Restaurant

Canada, Spain

Moving Forward Update

November 4, 2015 chaput@live.com

We continue to move forward with our plans, although we have not heard from the Spain Consulate regarding our visa application yet. There is only two months left before we leave and it is getting busy for us. We have started selling our furniture and have sold numerous items so far. The apartment is starting to look a little bare. The artwork and decorative items on the walls have been removed and given away to family or sold. We have sold our dinning room set and we are now eating at the coffee table in the den. The computer desk has been sold and now the filling cabinet is our new computer desk. Adaptation and a positive attitude are important as we move forward.

Our new dinning room table — Our new dinning Table

We have given our notice and plan on leaving Kingston in Mid December to move back home with our parents for a few weeks before we leave for Spain. We have secured a mover for the few belonging we will be keeping in Pembroke. We have also started the task of closing off our accounts related to the apartment. We have notified, gas, electrical, internet and TV companies that we are leaving and closing the accounts.

The challenge now is selling the car. We would ideally like to keep the car until we leave, but that is simply not feasible. We are trying to sell our car now and if it sells quickly we will be renting a vehicle when we need a car in the interim.

We are updating our wills and preparing for the final pieces to be in place before the move to Spain. There are lots more things to do, we need to finalize our taxes with CRA, change our mailing address, obtain international drivers licences etc. and of course we are still awaiting our Visas.

Ray and Shelley's Retirement Adventures