Tag Archives: Retirement abroad

Spain

A visit to Madrid

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We decided to take the train and spend a few days in Madrid. It is very convenient having the high-speed train system in Alicante. We headed to the train station and boarded our train. It only took us about 20 minutes in total to get to the station and board the train.

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Shelley, Louise and Brad on the High-speed train to Madrid

The train ride took two and a half hours to arrive at the main train station in Madrid. The Atocha Train Station is the largest and oldest station in Madrid.

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Train track area of Atocha Train Station
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Outside view of the Atocha train station in Madrid

Once we arrived at Madrid it was a short walk to the hotel. We dropped off our luggage and headed to the “Hop On Hop Off” bus. We took the “Hop on Hop Off”  bus which gave us a great tour of the city.

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Hop On Hop Off Bus in Madrid

We managed to see a lot of the popular sites along the way. It was a nice way to travel and get a feel for the city. Below are a few of the sites we saw while traveling on the Hop On Hop Off bus.

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The bus took us to the modern section of Madrid and we enjoyed seeing some of the newer building.

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Madrid football stadium

After we toured the city by bus, we headed off on foot to explore the city. We came across some very interesting locations, including this one which is a building that has real grass, flowers and plants growing on the outside wall of the building.

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Building with grass, flowers and plants growing on the outside wall.

The City of Madrid is beautiful and has lots of history. We enjoyed walking the city and taking in all the sites and sounds. Over the course of the two days, we were in Madrid we walked over 35 kilometers. It was a full two days but a very enjoyable time.

 

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

A walk on the Beach of Arenales

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We decided to take the bus and head out to Arenales for a walk along the beach. The bus from Alicante to Arenales takes about a half and hour and provides some beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea along the way.

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Brad and Louise on the Bus to Arenales

Once we got to Arenales we decided to have lunch before heading out to the beach.

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Beachside restaurant in Arenales

We enjoyed some traditional Spanish food, which consisted of Potato salad with tuna, ham, Seafood salad, and refreshments. After lunch, we walked along the beach working our way to the point towards Santa Pola. The beach and scenery were beautiful.

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Ray and Brad walking along the beach in Arenales

We walked approximately 2 kilometers up the beach and decided to stop and have a break at a beach front bar.

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Ray, Brad, Louise, and Shelley at beach front bar

After our break, we continued up the beach. Along the walk, we found an interesting fish?? washed up on the beach.

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Fish?? washed up on the beach in Arenales

Ray and Brad decided that a swim in the Mediterranean Sea was a good idea. They both went into the water and enjoyed swimming in the Sea and body surfing the waves.

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Ray and Brad in the Sea

After the swim and walk along the beach, we headed back to the bus stop and returned to Alicante. It was a very enjoyable full day of walking the beach and lots of sun.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Mercado de san miguel

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On Sunday went to the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid with friends to check it out. The Market is a very popular and lively place where the locals come to eat and socialize. The market which has been established for over 100 years is set in a unique old structure.

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San Miguel Market Madrid

The market was very busy and there were people wandering around the market eating and looking at the products.

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Inside the San Miguel Market

We walked around checking out each market stall. There were amazing fruits, fish, vegetables and assorted other unique items.

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People walking through the market

There was an olive stall selling every imaginable type of olive. They even had olives made into small sandwiches with sardines and other meats.

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Olives and assorted olive sandwiches

We decided to buy a few different olives and try them. We had an assortment of olives, with sardines, cheeses, garlic and in different brines. They were extremely tasty and went very well with the beverages.

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Shelley, Louise, and Ray having a drink and olives at the market

After having a few snacks of olives we walked around and checked out the other stalls. There was a stall with homemade potato chips which looked very appealing. Brad decided to buy some and try them out. It was all very tasty and fresh.

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stall of homemade chips, sweets, and assorted deserts
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Bard with homemade potato chips

We walked through the market for almost an hour enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of the market. Below are just a few of the neat things we saw.

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fruit drinks and smoothies of all kinds.
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sweet treats of very kind imaginable
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bags of mini sausages, bacon, and ham
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homemade peanut brittle and peanuts candies

There were several stalls with fish and seafood in the market. One display of seafood contained fish on ice that you could buy. It drew our attention because there was a huge fish on display.

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Huge fish on display at the market
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Fish at the market
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Big fish on ice at the market
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Assorted fish on display at market

The market was very impressive and unique. It was not just a market but also a restaurant for people to sit and enjoy the food. We enjoyed ourselves at the market.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

 

 

 

Spain

A day at the Market

Yesterday we went to the outdoor market. It was a vibrant and busy day with lots of people shopping in the market.

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People at the outdoor market in Alicante

We went for a walk down each aisle of the market enjoying the sights and sounds. The items for sale were as diverse as the people selling them. You could buy everything imaginable including bathing suits and comic underwear.

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Bathing suits for sale at the market
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Underwear with assorted funny sayings for sale at the market

We walked down the different aisles and there were specific themes in each area, clothing, plants, flowers, pastries, fruit and vegetables were some of the sections. There was no shortage of choices and selections each area contained multiple vendors.

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clothing at the market on display

 

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Spices and honey products at the market
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Spices of every imaginable kind for sale
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Flowers and house plants at the market

 

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Olives of every kind at the market
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An array of different nuts
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Pastries and cakes for the sweet tooth
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Candy of every kind

We walked throughout the market for quite some time admiring the different displays and listening to the noises of the market. People shouting their prices and discounts loudly. There is music being played,  people talking with vendors and the hustle and bustle of all the people talking in Spanish. It is a very unique and enjoyable noise.

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Street musician playing at the market for donations.

There are also people selling unique items as they walk down the market, They shout the price out almost in a song like voice, attracting people to buy their items. The lady below was selling snails and garlic.

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Lady selling snails and garlic at the outdoor market

We came across the most amazing fruits and vegetables on display. There was such a large assortment and selection that it was difficult to choose.

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We came across some vegetables that we did not recognize and have no idea what they are. Below is a photo of a large pear-like fruit which I have never seen before. We have no idea what that is?

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Pear-like fruit on display at the market

We spent a few hours walking around the market taking in the sights and sounds of this rich and beautiful culture.

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Outdoor market in Alicante Spain

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Beach Party

Friday evening we went to a beach party in El Campello, which is a short distance from Alicante. There are miles of beautiful white sand beaches and a gorgeous view of the coastline. We went with friends and arrived at around 8pm. The small beach pub was quaint and a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

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InterNations Beach party

The theme of the beach party was for everyone to wear something white including funny t-shirts etc. We mingled with people from all areas of the world, including Sweden, Holland and other areas of Europe.

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Ray wearing Norwegian Bingo T-shirt

The music and ambience were great and  we enjoyed assorted tapas throughout the evening.  It was a nice way to spend the evening and unwind after studying for the driver exam.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”