We stopped at a small quaint mountain town called Busot, which has a population of under 3000 people. The main streets of Busot were small and had decorations throughout the town.
Flower along the narrow streets of BusotOne of the narrow street of Busot, Spain
We took a walk down the streets exploring the town.
Shelley on one of the streets in Busot, Spain
There were some beautiful views along our walk, including old traditional homes, orchards, and vistas of the mountains and castle.
Views along the street in Busot with the castle in the distance
We stopped at a small cafe and enjoyed a coffee while admiring the castle.
View of the castle from the cafe shopShelley sitting at the La Casa cafe shop
It was a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, exploring a small mountain town.
We went to the quaint town of Jijona, which is located in the mountains in the province of Valencia. The town is located a short distance from Alicante and is known throughout Spain for its production of Turrón. We went to take part in their annual Christmas fair which features many different types of turrón.
We arrived and found a parking spot at the base of the hill to the fair. There was a “train” that was providing free rides up to the fair, but we decided to walk up the hill.
Along the walk we came to a large nativity scene set up on the side of the mountain. We stopped to take a closer look and admire the nativity.
Nativity scene in the town of Jijona SpainJijona Nativity scene
After looking at the nativity scene we went up to check out the Christmas fair. We came to the main street and there was a large Christmas tree on display near the front of city hall. We stopped to get a photo with the tree.
There were tents and vender stalls lined up along both sides of the entire main street. They were selling and promoting turrón products. Turrón is a sweet which is made of sugar, honey, almonds and eggs and it is the most typical sweet eaten during Christmas here in Spain.
Turrón on display at one of the booths
People were gathered around trying free samples of different turróns.
People lined up to sample some of the turrón
We slowly walked along the street looking at the different products on display.
Different honey for sale which are also used to make the turrón
We would stop and sample some of them that interested us.
Shelley waiting to try a sample of turrón
One vender was selling a specialty liquor and was providing samples., so we just had to stop and try some.
Vendors providing samples of specialty liquorsTurrón liquor
We walked through the entire street enjoying the odd sample and seeing the different types of turrón. It was a great way to spend a beautiful afternoon.
We went for a walk Sunday morning to the marina and boardwalk areas of Alicante. We wanted to check out an art exhibit that was there. As we approached the marina area, we could see large steel frames lined up in rows on the boardwalk.
The Sebastião Salgado ‘Genesis” exhibit had large steel frames with large photographs on each display. We walked along looking at each photograph. Some of the photos were of nature while others were portraits of people.
Photograph of an elephant from Africa,
Photograph of Iceberg near south pole
The exhibit was quite interesting with great photos from across the world.
Shelley and Ray at the Sebastião Salgado ‘Genesis” exhibit.
We went to an amazing tapa bar called “Nagusia Lau” in San Sebastián.
Tapa Bar Nagusia Lau in San Sebastián in Spain
Inside the bar were tapas of every imaginable type laid out on the bar area.
Tapas laid pout on the bar for choosing by customers.
When we entered the bar the place was packed with people. We were lucky to find a table near the back of the bar. We sat down and our waitress arrived and explained how the tapa bar worked. We go to the bar and select and put on our plate whatever tapas we want. We then tell the person behind the bar our table number and he notes the tapas on our plate.
Shelley walking along the bar selecting her tapas.
Selecting our tapas was not easy because of the large selection of interesting and tasty looking tapas. We walked along the bar looking at the different ones trying to select the ones we wanted.
some of the tapas for choosing.
We chose different tapas and headed back to our table. Each tapa was very tasty but there were a few that were extremely delicious, “Gambas” and “Pulpo”
“gambas” scrimp in a fresh sauce with peppers“Pulpo” octopus sliced in garlic butter with paprika and other spices
We really enjoyed sampling some of the great tapas in San Sebastián and the Nagusia Lau Tapa bar was a great experience.
Sunday we went with friends to do some hiking in the foothills of the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park. It is located near the town of “Banyeres de Mariola” which is the highest town in the interior of the province of Alicante. The trail began with a concrete path which went towards the valley of the mountain.
Shelley at the beginning of the trail in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.
We walked along the concrete trail for sometime and eventually the trail narrowed and changed to a dirt path.
A path in the park
We arrived to an area with a river called “Vinapoló” which was quite small and shallow. It appeared more like a stream than a river.
Shelley, Victor, Irena and Ray in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park
We walked along the path towards the source of the river. There were a few small footbridges that we crossed as we went along.
Footbridge over the Vinapoló river
We walked along the river for about an hour and came to the source of the Vinapoló, which was an underground stream.
The source of the Vinapoló river
We followed the trail further and came to some building ruins that were quite old and other unique features.
building ruins in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park
We even saw in the distance some castle ruins, but decided that it was too far for this trip.
Castle ruins along the trails in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.
We did not pack enough water or food to hike to the castle ruins so we will save that for another time. We walked about 10 kilometers during our time in the park. It was a great day and we enjoyed seeing some of the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.
There were tents and vender stalls lined up along both sides of the entire main street. They were selling and promoting turrón products. Turrón is a sweet which is made of sugar, honey, almonds and eggs and it is the most typical sweet eaten during Christmas here in Spain.
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