Sculling is a popular activity in Alicante because of our location on the Mediterranean Sea. The local yacht club has a sculling group which also competes in different competitions. Sonja and I (Shelley) decided to give the sport a try, so we joined the Royal Regatta Club of Alicante.
Shelley at the Yacht club getting ready to start her new sport.
There are different types of racing shell boats from a single person to group rowing. Shelley and Sonja began learning on a double seat shell.
Shelley and Sonja rowing on the Mediterranean
The boat shell is narrow to avoid drag, and is very tippy and unstable. The oars are attached to oarlocks at the end of outriggers extending from the sides of the boat. The oars help to keep the boat stable and takes some time to learn the best way to balance the shell. Sonja and I are taking lessons twice a week in the morning. There is a special technique for rowing in a shell. With a partner both rowers need to be in sync. The technique takes practice and is a good form of exercise.
The views are amazing as we row along the marina.
Shelley and Sonja rowing in the marina
We have been rowing for only a few weeks now and already I love the sport. It is quite the challenge, but is also a lot of fun.
We went to preview the fogueres on display and take part in the judging of the best fogueres for 2018. Each year a miniature copy of the full size fogueres are made and put on display for judging. Each ticket entry fee comes with two ballets for voting. One ballot for the adult fogueres and the other is for the children’s fogueres.
We went into the large building and came to the first room which contained the adult fogueres.
Shelley and Ray in the entrance area of the fogueres
There were rows of the fogueres on both sides of the room .
Rows of adult miniature fogueres on display for judging.
We went through the room slowing looking at each one. There was one which caught Ray’s attention.
Ray with firefighter foguere
What was unique about the firefighter foguere is what was not visible at first. The back of the foguere was surprising. The firefighter was wearing a thong and angel wings. I think the meaning behind the foguere is that a firefighter could be a women and may be the firefighter you see in gear.
The view on the back side of the foguere
We walked through the room and admired the amazing details of the fogueres. Some of them were very beautiful and extremely detailed.
One of the fogueres with amazing detail
We then went through to the children’s fogueres area. This was also a large room with fogueres on both sides of the room.
Children’s fogueres on display for judging.
The children fogueres were very interesting and there were many beautiful designed fogueres. We looked at each one and made our votes for what we thought was the best in both categories.
Each year we enjoy seeing the different and new fogueres. Some of them are made to make political statements or to make fun of a particular person or group. One which was particularly interesting was of the poisoning of the oceans through plastics and pollution.
A foguere in a tube design with a skeleton of a fish inside
At first glance it is a message about pollution but on a closer look you see a sign which makes a strong statement.
Sign with ominous warning of the pollution and plastics of the ocean.
It translates roughly in english as follows:
“just wield the last tree Follow death, the last poisoned river and the last trapped fish.
You will notice that you can not eat money”
Looking inside the container you can see the bottom which represents the ocean floor and is full of plastics, paints, hazardous materials and other pollutants.
Plastics, paints and other pollutants on base of foguere
Plastic has become a major issue here and across the globe. We see it on a daily basis living on the coast of the Mediterranean sea.
There was another foguere which made fun of a female politician named “Cristina Cifuentes”. She had made a false statement that she had obtained a master’s degree. When she was challenged by the media she produced a certificate which was later proven to be fake. It was a major issue here in Spain and caused a lot of turmoil, she eventually resigned.
Effigy foguere of Cristina Cifuentes a politician from Madrid
In the hands of the effigy are two different “certificates” which do not hold back the feelings of the public.
The “certificate” translates to state ” Master Cristina Cifuentes “major troll of the kingdom”Fake certificate which translates “Cristina Cifuentes, “a very legal blonde”
It is these type of fogueres which make seeing the different ones so enjoyable.
Below is a gallery of some of the fogueres on display for the voting in 2018.
There was a “Street Food Market” event here on the weekend in Alicante. We decided to head down on Sunday and check it out. It was being held in the Plaza Seneca.
Shelley at the Plaza Seneca in Alicante
We walked down to the plaza and were surprised to see rows of different types of food trucks and a beer pavilion with picnic tables.
Some of the food trucks in Plaza Seneca
We walked through the rows of food trucks checking them out before deciding what to have for our meal. It was a difficult decision because of the many options available and the great smells coming from different trucks.
Different food trucks in Plaza Seneca.
Ray found a food truck that was selling pulled pork and he decided to have a pulled pork sandwich.
Pulled pork signs at one of the food trucksRay ordering his pulled pork sandwich
Shelley decided to try a different food truck and ordered a veggie burger. We picked up our food and went to the picnic table to enjoy it.
Shelley with her veggie burger.
We enjoyed our food truck meal and had a great Sunday in the Plaza Seneca in Alicante.
Enrique Mendoza winery is considered one of the better wines in the Alicante Region. Each year they have a weekend where you can buy a ticket and tour the inner sanctum of the winery. We decided to go with some friends and take part in the event. We bought out tickets which were expensive and limited to 250 per day and set out for a day of wine adventure.
Enrique Mendoza Wine ticketTram Station at 6:30am
The day began early because of the distance we needed to travel using the transit systems. We were at the Tram station at 6:30 am waiting for the tram.
The Tram to Benidrom
We took the tram to Benidorm where we disembarked and then took a train to the town of Alfàs Del Pi. This small town is located at the foot of the Serra Gelada mountain. We began our walk up the mountain to the winery.
Walking along the sidewalk in the town of Alfàs Del Pi
We continued walking our way up the mountain towards the winery. The views and scenery were beautiful so we stopped to take a selfie and enjoy the moment.
Shelley and Ray on the way up to the Enrique Mendoza Winery
We continued up the mountain and finally came to the winery.
Reaching the Enrique Mendoza wineryLineup for entrance to the winery
The main entrance was lined up with people getting into the winery. We joined the queue and waited our turn to enter the winery. Once we entered the winery we explored the grounds for a while.
Wine barrels set up for people to use as tables.Sampling area for different wines of Enrique Mendoza
We decided to go and take part is some of the wine education sessions.
One of the wine cellar in Enrique Mendoza WineryRay and Pepe Mendoza-winemakerSamples of wine being served in the wine class
We learned about the different aspects of wine making and the different grapes, soil, temperature etc. There was even an area set up to smell the different aromas of wine.
Aroma sampling containers for the smells of different wines.Shelley trying the different aromas of wine
After the wine class, we decided to take a break and enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese tray.
Christine, Sonja and Shelley enjoying some snacks and wine.
We enjoyed the food and wine throughout the day. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time with our friends.
Marcelo, Ray, Shelley, Sonja, Paco, Christine at the Enrique Mendoza
After sampling different wines and enjoying some food we headed back home. It was a long day but a very enjoyable time.
We had the opportunity to see the “Procesión de Santa Cruz” on Holy Wednesday (March 28, 2018) from a great spot. We were invited to watch the parade from the balcony at our friends home. They live in the heart of Santa Cruz and on the main route of the procession.
The view from the parade route in the area where we were situated.
We enjoyed time visiting with our friends before the start of the procession. I could see on the street below large crowds of people lining up to get a good spot to watch the parade.
Ray on the balcony overlooking the route of the procession
The procession began with a band of Romans marching and playing music.
Roman guards playing music in the processionProcession of band dressed on Roman attire
The procession in Santa Cruz includes a long history and tradition. The “floats” are carried by approximately 30 people who are chosen for the honour. The weight of the “Paso” or float is approximately 1500 lbs or more depending on the specific paso.
The paso of Jesus on the cross
We watched as they carried the different “pasos” down the narrow and steep stairs of Santa Cruz. It was amazing to watch just how hard and difficult it was.
The Paso being carried through the narrow street of Santa Cruz
There was a paso of the Virgin Mary which was carried by only women.
Virgin Mary paso carried by women in the processionTouching of a paso as it goes by in the procession
There is a belief that if you can touch one of the pasos in the procession it will bring you luck for the year. Many people reach out and touch them as they go by.
People dress in Black and wear veils to “Mourn” during the procession. They wear elaborate black clothing and some cry and moan as they go through the procession.
People dress in black and “mourn” in the procession
Even the young children take part in the procession.
A Child dressed in traditional mourning clothing for the procession
We stayed and watched the entire procession from the balcony and enjoyed the time with friends. At around 11 pm the procession and floats returned on the same route. We stayed and watched it for a second time coming up the street. It was amazing to see the amount of effort and work it took to get the floats through the narrowest section of the street. Bellow is a video of some of the highlights of the procession.
It was a great experience to watch the procession from such a great vantage point.
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