Tag Archives: Spain

Spain

Spelunking in Alcafá del Jucar

We went caving outside of the town of Alcafá del Jucar, which is located in the province of Albacete Spain. We drove to the entrance of the cave which is actually just a small hole in the ground.

Entrance hole to the cave system

Our guide took us to the entrance and began setting up the rappelling gear required to enter the cave.

Rappelling gear set up at the entrance of the cave.

We took the opportunity to take a picture of the group while he was preparing the gear.

Our guide setting up the rappelling ropes for the entrance of the cave.

We each took a turn and rappelled down approximately 15 meters to the base of the cave.

Ray rappelling down to the cave floor
Ray at the base of the cave floor

Once we rappelled down to the floor of the cave, we began exploring the different caverns. The cave system was interesting with a lot of different features.

Some of the features in the cave

We even meet a few of the locals in the cave system.

Bat hanging in the cave

We came to one area of the cave which was spectacular. When we shined our lights on the ceiling of the cave it looked like stars.   The photo below does not do it justice.

Reflection of light on the drops of water on the ceiling of the cave

There were water drops clinging to the ceiling of the cave and our lights reflected off of them. It made it look like stars in space, truly an amazing sight.

We managed to get a group photo while exploring the cave caves.

Ray, Issac, Sonja, Susy and the guide

We explored the cave system for an hour or so before heading back to the entrance of the cave. We then used a rope ladder and climbed up the 15 meters to the surface.

Ray at the top of the cave entrance

It was a great experience and very enjoyable.

“Hasta luego y que tengas a buen dia”

Spain

The Aguilas Carnival

There is a carnival in the town of Aguilas Spain which is one of the most famous in the Murcia region. The carnival has received the status of “Fiestas of International tourism Interest”. We decided to go and check out the carnival and watch the parade.

We arrived in the early afternoon to Aguilas and explored the city before the big parade. We walked along the waterfront enjoying the beautiful views.

The colonia beach area of Aguilas
Ray, Shelley, Sonja and Marcelo on the beach in Aguilas, Spain

The boardwalk goes along the waterfront with a marina area.

Marina area of Aguilas Spain

After walking along the boardwalk, we headed into the city centre. The streets were already crowded with people waiting for the parade which was still a few hours away. We explored the area until it was time for the parade. We came across a small plaza which had lots of white doves.

White doves in the plaza of Aguilas Spain

We then went and found a spot to watch the parade. It was not easy to find a good vantage point because of the bleachers that were set up. You had to pre-purchase a 10 euro ticket to get a seat on the bleachers and we did not have one.

Bleachers with paid seating for the carnival parade in Aguilas

We found a spot to watch some of the parade. The costumes were very detailed and ornate.

One of the ornate costumes in the carnival parade.

We watched the parade for some time admiring the different dances and costumes. There were children, teens and adults all participating in the carnival parade. Below are only a few of the spectacular costumes and floats in the parade.

Children dressed in costumes of the carnival parade

Below is a small highlight video of some of the carnival.

The parade was very interesting and we enjoyed watching the different costumes and dancing.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Almond trees in Spain

There are a lot of Almond trees in Spain, we come across them almost every day when we are out in the country side. Almond are very common and are part of the Mediterranean culture. Almonds have been around for centuries and is mentioned in the bible. That is why it is not surprising that Spain is the second largest producer of almonds in the world.

An almond tree grove in Murcia

At this time of year (January-February) the almond trees are in full bloom. We were out for a walk with friends in the Murcia countryside and there were a lot of almond trees in bloom.  The smell of the almond flowers which are pink or white were wonderful and it gave us the sense that spring was just around the corner. The white flowering almond tree has the sweet almonds while the pink flowering tree has bitter almonds.

Almond tree flowers in bloom

We walked along the mountain trail admiring the almond blooms and taking in the wonderful smell of the flowers.

We stopped at one of the trees and took an almond off the tree. and broke the shell. The almond tasted sweet and was quite enjoyable.

Almonds on the tree
Almond and flowers on an almond tree

Almond trees are just one of the many enjoyable features of living in the south of Spain.

“Adios y que tengas un gran dia”

Spain

San Silvester run

We enrolled with friends in the San Silvestre 5 km fun race which was held on December 28th in Alicante. Running a race may not seem like our style, but taking part in a ‘San Silvestre’ fun race is part of the Spanish tradition.

Marcello, Shelley, Sonja and Ray waiting for the start of the San Silvestre 5KM run

We arrived in our costumes at the race and there were thousands of people gathered to partake in the race or to watch the race. The start of the race began at 10 pm and everyone was in a festive mood.

We ran along slowly with the crowd looking at the different light displays on the streets.

Start of the San Silvestre race

We also came across different costumes which were quite creative.

Muffin girl in the San Silvestre run
Royal pages running in the race

 

We finished the 5 km race around 35 minutes or so.

Marcello, Shelley, Sonja and Ray at the finish line.

We then went through to an area with free refreshments for the participants.

Shelley enjoying a refreshment after the 5km run

We enjoyed a refreshment before heading home. It was a fun experience and was very enjoyable.

“Hasta Luego y Tengas un grand dia”

Spain

“Los Pajes Negros” in Alcoy

We went to the city of Alcoy for a visit. It was a few weeks before Christmas and the city was adorned with decorations.

Plaza in Alcoy, Spain

What we found strange was the decorations of “Los Pajes Negros” which translates to (The Black Pages) on the balconies throughout the city.

We researched this tradition and it dates back 133 years and is part of one of the oldest parades in Spain. The parade consists of around 2,000 people with approximately 300 people dressed as a black pages. The parade begins with the three Wise Men entering the city riding camels. There are musicians, torchbearers and black pages in the parade. The pages, use ladders to climb onto the balconies and give presents to the children.

Alcoy’s black Christmas ‘pajes’ (pages) prepare to deliver presents. EFE (photo from El Pais)

This tradition has been controversial and is considered racist by many. We have not seen the parade, but the idea of white people dressing up to represent black pages certainly seems racist.

“adios y tengas un grand dia”