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Spain

Benissa Spain

We took a day trip to Benissa Spain. This small town is located approximately an hour drive from the city of Alicante. It is one of the oldest towns located  on the Costa Blanca. It was originally established in 987 by the Moores. The name Benissa comes from the Arabic tribal name Beni-Hisa or Beni-Eyce, which means (sons of Christ).

Marble monument commemorating the establishment of the town of Benissa

We explored the old medieval town centre and came across some beautiful narrow streets, with decorative tiles, flowers and cast iron railings.

One of the narrow streets in Benissa Spain
Street in the medieval town centre of Benissa

There was a bakery and other cafe shops and pubs in and around the main square of the town . We found a nice pub and enjoyed a refreshment while enjoying the beautiful views.  

It was a great little town with a medieval city centre, that was well worth exploring.

“Disfruta la vida y explora tu mundo.”

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

We are staying quiet and not travelling as we wait for our vaccine and the return to a sense of normal. Although we have been quiet we have been looking at our blog and branching out to more of a video presence.

Here is a small ¨teaser¨ as we develop and make videos for future travel blogs.

Stay safe and we can get through this.

“Hasta luego y que tengas un buen dia.”

Spain

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

We took a tour with a small group to a historic building called the Casa Mediterráneo. It is located in the downtown area of Alicante close to the bus station.

Shelley at the front of the Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

The top tower of the building has a unique difference, can you spot it?

Top of Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante
Inside the Casa Mediterráneo

Casa Mediterráneo is a public consortium made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and other organizations.

It was the former train station of Alicante before it was converted into the Casa Mediterráneo.  Now the building is used to promote mutual interest between Spain and the rest of the countries of the Mediterranean basin. 

roof of the Casa mediterranean in Alicante
Roof area of the Casa Mediterranean in Alicante
View from rear of the Casa Mediterráneo

Some of the general uses of Casa Mediterráneo are to encourage or promote knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean region. There are free concerts and other public events held in the Casa Mediterráneo.

Shelley and Ray in reflection from mirror in the Casa Mediterráneo

The design of the roof and frame was apparently designed by a student of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the  Eiffel tower in Paris.

Ornate design of roof beams in Casa Mediterráneo
View of interior beams
Original metal located in the Casa Mediterráneo
Original train tracks located at the Casa Mediterráneo

The city of Alicante along with other agencies salvaged the building which was at one time left in disrepair. It has now become a repurposed building and a beautiful structure along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Rear view of the Casa Mediterráneo

One of the many unique and beautiful buildings in Alicante.

“Deseamos que tenga un buen dia”

Spain

Cementerio Municipal de Alicante

I was out exploring the city of Alicante when I came across the Municipal cemetery of Alicante. The main entrance was quite impressive for a cemetery and so I decided to take a walk through the cemetery and look around.  I spent over two hours walking around exploring this historic and interesting cemetery.

Entrance to the cemetery of Alicante

Inside the main entrance was an area with washrooms and a sitting area. Beyond the entrance was the main road which had flowers, benches and monuments along the way.

 

One of the statues along the main road in the cemetery

Along the main road of the cemetery there was smaller side roads. that branched off.  Each row contained many different grave stones, monuments and statues.

I walked each row looking at the many unique and interesting funeral plots. There were family plots that were hundreds of years old and some which contained interesting feature. Below are a few of the interesting monuments and grave stones.

One of the branches off the main road in the municipal cemetery of Alicante

Some of the grave stones were actually more of a piece of art than a grave stone. 

A family grave site with ornate and beautiful statues.

Large cross and statue overlooking a family plot.

I saw some very large mausoleums that looked more like small churches than a mausoleum. 

The cemetery was surrounded by a stone wall which also served as a columbarium wall.

Columbarium wall in the municipal cemetery of Alicante
otter wall of cemetery with Columbarium

The  cemetery is quite large and contains tradition type grave stones as well as simple burial stones. 

It was an interesting walk and makes you realize just how precious our time on earth is.  We wish everyone good health and safety throughout this pandemic. 

“Vive la vida al máximo y disfruta de cada momento como si fuera el último, porque un día lo será.”

Spain

2020 Christmas in Alicante

The Christmas season is certainly different this year in Alicante. There are no major gatherings and all the fiestas are cancelled. Curfews are imposed and people are only able to gather in small groups. No more than two families with a total of 10 people can gather at Christmas. So it is just the two of us having a quiet Christmas at home. However the city has done a great job lighting up the city in a festive way.  We put on our mask and decided to take a walk around some of the areas of the city to check out the Christmas lights.

Shelley and Ray at the Esplanada d’Espanya in Alicante

Along our walk through the different barrios we would find different lights strung across the road. It was beautiful to see the array of lights and styles of decorations.

Lights across one of the main roads in Alicante

Some of the narrow streets had some intricate and interesting lights. The photo below  does not truly capture the ambiance of what it was like walking under the “stars” of that street.

Strings of lights along a narrow street in Alicante

Some of the plazas had displays of lights or even Christmas Nativity scenes. The plaza de la montañeta had both. There was a large ball decorated all in lights and people could go inside and walk through it.

Shelley and Ray in front of the Christmas ball in the plaza de la Montañeta.

There was also a display of a nativity scene and a village scape in the plaza. 

If you look closely you may see a familiar face.

Nativity scene at the Plaza de la montañeta

Several streets had basic lights across them, while others had more intricate lights. 

Shelley and Ray in front of gift box of lights

We walked down to the Ayutamiento (City Hall) and checked out the Plaça de l’Ajuntament. There was a large display of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. 

Large display with Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Overall the Christmas decorations were beautiful although the atmosphere this year is one draped in uncertainty.  We wish everyone a safe, healthy Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

“Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Año Nuevo”