We went to Amsterdam for a few days and explored this amazing city.
Ray in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is also known as the “Venice of the North” because of all the canals. There are 165 canals covering over 100 kilometers in Amsterdam.
We decided to take a dinner cruise and enjoy the canals in the evening. We arrived at around 7 p.m. and lined up to get onboard our cruise boat.
Each table was reserved and we had a nice table near the rear of the boat.
We set off and shortly after the waiter served us with wine and cava. The cruise was a very calm and the slow ride down some of the less traveled canals made it enjoyable. We enjoyed the wine and relaxed as we passed by some of the amazing homes.
Beautiful homes along the canals in Amsterdam
We came across some interesting things on our cruise. There were restaurants and other businesses located on boats anchored on the canals. There was the largest Chinese restaurant in Amsterdam which happens to be a floating barge.
We also saw some unique buildings and boats located at the canals.
During the cruise, we were served an amazing meal. There was a kitchen on board and the chef made the meal while we toured the canals.
Shelley, Ray, and Bev on boat cruise
During the evening cruise, it became dark and we were able to see the canals at night. The canals take on a new appearance and feel after dark.
The buildings, canals, and bridges take on a new look at night. The bridges have lights on the arches and light shimmers across the water of the canals.
The cruise was very relaxing and enjoyable. We had a delicious meal and was able to see Amsterdam on the water. It is definitely a great way to see the city and the canals.
The Alcázar of Segovia is a world heritage site in beautiful Segovia Spain. This castle is unique and is recognizable by its unique style. It is claimed that Walt Disney Castle was inspired by a variety of Castles including the Segovia Castle.
Peaked style roof at Alcázar Castle in Segovia, Spain
Note the similar style of roofs between the Disney Castle and the Alicázar Castle.
Walt Disney Cinderella Castle
The Alcázar Castle was built high above the point of two rivers on cliffs between two rivers. The Alcázar was originally built as a fortress but over the centuries it has also been used as a royal palace, a prison, and a military garrison.
Inside the castle, there were numerous rooms with assorted artifacts. We walked through the different rooms looking at the architecture and displays.
Ray and Bev “guarding the Door” in the Alicázar castlemedieval armory on display in the castle.Displays in the Alicázar castle
All of the ceilings were ornately decorated and painted.
One of the ceilings in the Segovia castle.
In the center of the castle, there was a large courtyard with a central fountain.
Bev and Shelley in central courtyard of the Castle in Segovia
The castle had some unique features that definitely resembled the Disney castle.
We enjoyed walking through the rooms and exploring the 12-century castle.
I decided to take an early morning walk from my hotel to one of the biggest parks in Madrid called “Parque del Buen Retiro”. I started out walking along some of the back streets of Madrid towards the park. It was a fairly quiet walk and I was able to enjoy the serenity of being fairy alone in this large city of 3 million people. What was enjoyable was seeing things at a slower pace and noticing the beauty of the city. I walked along a quiet street and noticed some inlaid writing on the road. Normally the street would be too busy to read it.
Writing on the road in Madrid
It translates as “The Beauty” “What it is we do not know what for now with certainty mathematics, maybe we never know; but that beauty is something, that exists, that pulsates in nature, and that, just as the wave that reaches the beach breaks into foam .. speech of entrance in the real Spanish academy” -José Eche garay
I came across some unique bronze statues or city workers that appeared to be randomly placed in areas of the city.
A statue of a street sweeper in Bronze in MadridA bronze statue of a worker who would light the street lamps in Madrid
I arrived early at the Parque del Buen Retiro which literally means – park of the pleasant retreat. The gate that I entered into the park was stunning and was very welcoming.
One of the gates to the Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid
The park itself has some very beautiful vistas and paths. I began to walk the paths with no set direction in mind. I was simply enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the park.
Each path would join other paths that could lead you in many directions. I walked along some of the secluded areas of the park admiring the beauty of the trees.
I eventually found my way to an area called the Crystal Palace. The palace was constructed of ornate glass and was visually stunning to see.
Crystal Palace in MadridA section of the crystal palace in Buen Retiro park in Madrid
The palace which was built-in 1887 to exhibit flora and fauna.
Section of the Crystal Place in Madrid
The palace was almost completely made with glass and was an impressive building. I walked around the building and came across a pond at the front of the Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid
I walked around for approximately three hours enjoying the sights and sounds of the park. There were people gathering in the park as the day progressed. I could see people jogging, kids playing, couples holding hands and people on tour bikes.
People enjoying the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid
There were some interesting groups in the park as well. One group was doing synchronized moves using Spanish hand fans called “Abanico”
Another group was playing music for money as people walked by.
Musicians playing music in the park for donations.
The Buen Retiro Park is a beautiful and a large nature area in the heart of Madrid.
Below are some of the pictures that I took of the Buen Retiro Park.
One of the gates into Retiro Park
Bird in Retiro Park
Path in Retiro Park
Unique tree in Retiro Park
One of the many birds in Retiro Park
Crystal Palace in Retiro Park
Flower in Retiro Park
One of the many statues in Retiro Park
It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. I recommend to anyone who goes to Madrid to take a relaxing day and walk through the park.
We came across a horse carriage during our walk in Amsterdam and decided to go for a horse carriage ride.
Horse Carriage in Amsterdam
The name our carriage man was Gerald and he was very pleasant and helpful.
Gerard helping us into the horse drawn carriage
We climbed aboard and enjoyed the slow ride through the streets of Amsterdam.
View from the horse drawn carriage
Gerard took us along some less traveled areas and would stop at times and explain the history of the area.
Gerard explaining some history of Amsterdam on our route.
We came across some beautiful views along our travels.
View from the horse drawn carriage when we stopped on one of the canal bridges.
We asked Gerard if he could recommend a good restaurant for us. He recommended a Restaurant called “Five Flies”. We asked him to drop us off at the restaurant when we were done and he was happy to accommodate us.
The hallway in the Five Flies Restaurant
We entered the restaurant and were immediately amazed by the uniqueness of the restaurant. The building was full of character and had five different separate areas. We were brought down a small hallway and to our table.
View from our Table in the Five Flies Restaurant
Our meal was extremely delicious and tasty. We enjoyed a great meal, fabulous atmosphere and a great bottle of wine at the Five Flies Restaurant.
We were invited by our friend Felipe to go and see the Moors and Christians Fiesta parade in Villena with him and his mom. They had front row balcony seats for the parade. The parade is one of the most famous and spectacular Moors and Christian parades in Spain.
We arrived in the quaint town of Villena at around 4 p.m. There were vehicles parked everywhere and it was difficult to find a parking spot. We parked around five blocks from the center of town and walked slowly towards the main street of Villena.
Shelley and Carmen-Maria walking towards the center of Villena
As we walked along the streets there were large crowds of people all heading towards the center of town.
Crowds of people walking towards the center of town.
As we walked through the streets we came across groups of people participating in the parade. They were dressed up, some were in very elaborate costumes. We stopped to have our picture taken with one group of “Moors” dressed up for the parade.
Bev, Shelley, Carmen-Maria, and Ray with parade participants in the Moors and Christian Festival in Villena, Spain
We arrived at the center of town and met Felipe’s friend, José Luís Valero. José had seats at the very front of the parade route for us.
José was a famous “Cabo” for comparsa andaluces group. He won many awards and in fact, there was a song composed for him which is used in the parade every year. José was a great host and was very energetic and fun.
José, Bev, and Carmen-Maria at the parade
José treated us like family and provided drinks and made the parade even more enjoyable. We had the best seats to see the parade up close.
Shelley, Ray, and Carmen-Maria sitting at the front watching the parade
The parade was massive with over 12,000 people who participated in it. There were seven groups that represent the Moorish, and seven groups which represent the Christian. Each one of these groups was made up of several hundred male and female participants. We watched as groups representing the Moors marched by wearing beautiful and ornate costumes.
Female parade participants dressed in Moorish costumes.Males dressed in Moorish costumes in the parade
Each group of “Moors” marching in the parade had their own specific costume design. They also had bands following behind each group playing choreographed music. It was an impressive display by the participants of the parade. At the front of each section, there was a head person called a “Cabo” leading the group. They strutted in elaborate and deliberate moves making the march quite impressive.
“Cabo” leading the group in the parade“Cabo” doing different moves throughout the parade
There were horses, camels, and donkeys in the parade as well. Some of the horses would stand on their hind legs and perform along the parade route.
One of the many horses in the paradeParade participants on horseback“Cabo” on horseback leading a group in the paradeOne of the camels in the parade.Cabo on a camel leading a group in parade
We watched the different groups march in the parade, each group with their own unique and beautiful costumes. Some of the costumes cost over 15,000 euros for each one.
A group of “Moors” in the paradeParade participants in Moors and Christian ParadeA Cabo leading a group of females in paradeCostume with skulls and bones in paradeOne of the amazing costumes in the Moors and Christian paradeA costume with feathers and gold material
Some of the costumes were very detailed and stunning to see. Some of the costumes were pieces of art adorned with feathers or with other unique items.
Costumes with blue feathers in parade
Costumes with beautiful yellow feathers
Even the back of the costumes had very ornate and beautiful decorations.
View of the rear of some of the costumes.
The Parade started at 4:30 p.m. and we stayed until 8:30 p.m. and the Moors section of the parade was still going on. The entire parade last in excess of six hours. There were so many beautiful costumes and great music from the many different bands. Below is a small collection of photos from the Moors section of the Parade.
The many bands that played specific songs for each group were also very enjoyable. We watched and listened in awe as the parade just continued for hours. We put together a short video of some of the parade.
It was a very surreal feeling being able to be so close to the parade. We had front row seats with a well-known “Cabo” José, which made the event even more memorial. To say that the parade was amazing would be an understatement. It was spectacular and beautiful, something we will remember for a long time.
During the cruise, we were served an amazing meal. There was a kitchen on board and the chef made the meal while we toured the canals.
The buildings, canals, and bridges take on a new look at night. The bridges have lights on the arches and light shimmers across the water of the canals.
The cruise was very relaxing and enjoyable. We had a delicious meal and was able to see Amsterdam on the water. It is definitely a great way to see the city and the canals.
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