We are residents of Spain and unfortunately the Spanish government does not recognise our Canadian driver’s licence beyond the first six months in Spain.
We have been studying and preparing for the inevitable task of getting our Spanish driver’s licence. This process began three months ago when we bought the study book in English. The book was very expensive and cost around $150. euros. We also had access to a bank of practice questions online which was a good start for studying.
The system to get your driver’s licence is very different here compared to Canada. All persons getting their driver’s licence are required to take classes at a registered driving school “Autoescuela”. We attended a few of the driving schools to get general information before registering with one of the schools. We decided to go with an autoescuela located not far from where we live.
We registered and paid our $59.95 each for the theory class. It is provided online and is also available in English. We are now working towards the formal written test which we have scheduled for September 22nd.
There are still a few things we need to complete before the test. We are required to obtain a medical certificate at a specific medical facility. This must be done at least one week prior to the test. We are also required to have two passport size photos.
We will be getting these done next week and studying the materials before the test on September 22nd.
We returned to Spain after a three-week visit to Canada. It was nice to get back to our home country and see everyone. We spent the first week of our time visiting our parents and helping out. It was wonderful seeing the parents and spending quality time with them. We also took some time to visit one of Canada’s iconic spots, “Tim Horton’s”
My first Tim Horton’s Coffee in almost a year
During our second week, we rented a cottage and our family and friends came for a visit.
The cottage we rented along the Ottawa River
It was great because we were able to spend time with most of our children and grandchildren for a few days. Our oldest daughter even drove 18 hours from New Brunswick to spend a few days with us. It was a great time and we enjoyed some canoeing, playing in the water and having bonfires. We even saw some turkeys that came through the yard for a visit.
Keenan, Tyreese and Shantaya with turkeys
It was fabulous seeing the kids and spending some quality time with them. Our friends dropped by and we were able to catch up on things and have a laugh or two. The view and time at the cottage were great.
View from the cottage deck of the Ottawa River
The last week we stayed close to home and spent more time with family and friends before heading back to Spain. Our trip back to Spain was uneventful and we have arrived home safe and sound.
On Tuesday evening we went out with friends to a quaint Spanish restaurant called “La Taberna Iberica”. The restaurant is in the old quarter of Alicante in a small alley up some stairs.
The walkway towards La Taberna Iberica Restaurant
Inside the restaurant, we were greeted by the owner who welcomed us more like family than customers. We sat down in the quaint restaurant and chatted with the owner for a while.
Inside La Taberna Iberica RestaurantMike, Ray Liz and Shelley at “La Taberna Iberica” Restaurant
We did not have a menu and only ordered some red wine. What was truly enjoyable was the fact that she decides what to cook and serves us a variety of different dishes.
One of the many courses served to us over the evening
We were served numerous courses of food, including tapas, fish, shrimp, ham, cheese and an assortment of sweet treats for dessert.
When we were leaving the restaurant she took the time to chat with us and walk with us to the door. It was a very nice spot and the service was friendly.
One of the owners of “La Taberna Iberica” Restaurant
After our meal, we took a walk and stopped at a terrace bar in a small hotel called “Les Monges Palace”. The terrace bar was quiet and we had a perfect spot to enjoy a nice after dinner drink. The view from the terrace was beautiful and we could see the Castillo de Santa Barbara.
View of the Castillo de Santa Barbara from the terrace bar
We were able to tour the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, in Italy. The city of Pompeii was destroyed, along with other communities by the major eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The eruption was so sudden and severe that it covered the city in 4 to 6 meters of ash in a very short period of time. Pompeii was preserved under the ash until it was excavated some 1,600 years later.
The excavation of Pompeii revealed an extremely preserved and detailed insight into the history of the time. It is the best preserved and complete roman ruins in the world and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We arrived at around 10 a.m. and the heat was already extreme at over 30 degrees celsius. We started the walking tour of the site with our first stop in the common square area which was used for the gladiators to practice in.
Square where gladiators practiced in Pompeii
We then walked through the streets looking at the remains of the houses in Pompeii. Most of the houses we saw had a similar design. In the front of the houses, there was an area for a small storefront or market. The rear of the house was the living space.
Streets of Pompeii
The cobblestone was well-worn and you could see the grooves made by the wheels of the oxen-drawn carts in the streets.
The groves in the cobblestone over years of wear by the use of oxen-drawn carts.
We went into several houses and looked at the layout. The Roman city is so well-preserved that in certain areas of the buildings we could still see the original paint on the walls.
room with original paint on the walls
It was spectacular to see a complete Roman city preserved and excavated in such great detail. We walked several of the streets in Pompeii looking at the different remains of buildings.
We entered a Roman bathhouse and the guide explained how the process worked. The bathhouse was an area where people would meet and socialize. It was considered a social event and people would gather for saunas, baths, and messages. The design of the bathhouse is ingenious. It used steam that flowed under different floor areas heating baths to different temperatures.
The floor framework in stone where the floorboards would be supported and steam would travel underneath.One of the baths in the bathhouse elevated above the steam channels.Area in Bathhouse where personal belongings would be stored. Similar to a locker
We walked along a street called “Alley of the Skeletons” one of the main streets of Pompeii . At the end of this street, there was a display containing a cast of a body from Pompeii.
Cast of body from excavation in Pompeii
The display is not a body but a cast of a body. During the excavation process, it was discovered that there were hollow spaces in the ash. They poured plaster into the hollow area and it formed a cast of the body.
Cast of body in Pompeii
We walked freely around the streets of Pompeii looking at the different buildings and streets. It was enjoyable but very hot and there was basically no shade throughout the entire three-hour tour of the Roman ruins. It was worth every bit of sweat to see the site. It is hard to put into words the amazing ruins and how well-preserved they were. Below are some of the pictures we took in Pompeii.
We went to visit Monaco which is the second smallest state in the world. It is just under two square kilometres and located on the Cote d’Azur, in the French Riviera and is bordered by France on three sides. There are stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Monaco harbour as we were heading up the mountain to Monte Carlo.
View of the Monaco Harbour
Monaco is located on the Alpes Maritimes and overlooks the Mediterranean sea. The world renown Grand Prix race is held in Monaco and runs through the streets every year.
Road in Monaco which is used for the Grand Prix race. Rubber marks on the curb are still visible from last years race cars
The James Bond movie “Golden Eye” was filmed in part at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco.
Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is well-known as a high roller casino where the rich come to play. While we were outside we saw some very expensive cars parked out front of the casino.
Expensive cars parked outside of the Casino de Monte-CarloA red Ferrari parked beside the Casino de Monte-Carlo
We decided to go into the Casino de Monte-Carlo to check out the inside. We only went into the lobby area and saw the interior entrance area. It was like a movie set from the 1930’s with marble floors, pillars and ornate decorations.
Lobby area of the Casino de Monte-CarloCeiling in the lobby area of the Casino de Monte-CarloCasino de Monte-Carlo main lobby area
We took a candid selfie while in the Lobby of the Casino.
After touring the casino lobby we headed back outside to walk around the city. From outside of the casino we could see the mountain tops in the distance.
View of Monte Carlo with the Alpes in the background
We came across the Prince of Monaco’s Palace during our walk.
Palace in Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is a beautiful spot and is very clean and well maintained. Our guide informed us that the police are very friendly but strict and the rules are strongly enforced with fines. We were to follow the rules or risk a possible fine. We noticed that people cross the street at the crossings, there is no littering and people walk on the paths in the park and not on the grass. We even saw a tourist couple get put into a police cruiser with their dog for what appears to be allowing the dog to run loose with no leash.
We walked through this beautiful cliff top park which overlooks the Sea.
Park on the cliff edge in Monte Carlo Monaco
We walked along the path looking at the statues and panoramic views of the sea.
Statue in Monte Carlo ParkStatue in Monte Carlo ParkStatue of nude women playing Ping PongView from the Park looking at the marina in Monaco.
We walked the entire pathway which ran along the cliff edge of the park admiring the views.
Ray and Shelley with the Monaco Marina in background
Eventually, the trail ended at a lookout which overlooked the sea.
Lookout at Monte Carlo Park
Monaco is a beautiful spot and the views are gorgeous. We enjoyed our time there and wish we had more time to spend in Monaco.
“jusqu’à la prochaine fois et avoir une bonne journée”
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