We stopped at the Mercado Colón to explore this beautiful structure.
The Mercado Colón in Valencia
The outside facade of the Mercado has two prominent masonry facades which look similar to triumphal arches. The arches also are decorated with beautiful ornamentation.
Shelley in front of the arch of the Mercado colón
We walked through the Mercado and explored the inside of the building.
Snail ornament in ceramic tiles in the Mercado
There was a nice water feature on the lower level of the Mercado.
Water feature on the lower level of the MercadoWater feature with statue and plants in the lower section of the Mercado
The Mercado is over 4300 square meters and has different shops and restaurants throughout.
In side view of the Mercado Colón in Valencia
The Mercado was built-in 1916 and has iron work from that period throughout the roof structure. We walked through looking at different shops and restaurants and decided to stop for a drink.
Shelley and Ray in the Mercado de Colón in Valencia
We enjoyed a nice coffee and relaxed enjoying the sights and sounds of the market. We even had a visitor drop by for a quick visit and snack.
Pigeon having some crumbs under our table at the Mercado
We stayed at the market for about an hour enjoying the lively atmosphere. It was a great way to spend some time.
We went to Valencia to celebrate Shelley’s birthday. Our day began with a 1:40 minute train ride to the city of Valencia. We arrived to a beautiful warm day in downtown Valencia. We settled in to our hotel before heading out for a walk through the city. We started out walking through the beautiful “Jardin del Turia.”
Path in the “Jardin del Turia” which leads under one of the bridges in the city.Jardin del Turia in Valencia
The park has a very interesting past. It was originally the Turia River which overflowed its banks in October, of 1957. The flooding reached heights of over five meters (17 feet) high. At least 81 people died and thousands were displaced during the flooding. As a result of the devastation caused by the flooding the city decided to divert the entire river through fields south of the city. After much debated and public protest the former seven kilometres of riverbed was converted to the current park in 1986.
Map of the Jardin del Turia Park
We walked through a section of the Jardin del Turia and then headed towards the centre of the city. Along the way we came across some beautiful building architecture, parks and statues .
Building in Valencia with ornate decorOrnate building in Valencia
We stopped along the way to enjoy the views and admire our surroundings.
One of the arches in ValenciaShelley and Ray in front of one of the many statues in ValenciaShelley in front of the fountain near city hall plaza in Valencia
We walked along the streets until we reached city hall plaza.
City hall Plaza in Valencia
The streets around the plaza were cordoned off and there was a large street party going on. We stopped to check out the live music and walk through the area.
Street party with live music at Valencia City Hall Plaza
After exploring the city centre, it was getting dark so we decided to walk back to our hotel, which was a fair distance away. On the way back the city views changed as it got darker.
Valencia city view in the eveningThe view of the City Hall Plaza at night in ValenciaFerris wheel in ValenciaA section of “Jardin del Turia” at night
It was a long walk but very enjoyable. The city of Valencia has some beautiful features and architecturally interesting buildings.
We went with friends to see the Cirque de Soleil show, which were in large tents set up in Alicante.
Ray, Shelley, Marcello, Sonja and their daughter at the entrance of the Cirque de Soleil.
The tents were very large and had different peaks in its design. On top of each peak was a flag which represented a nationality of some of the performers.
The tents of Cirque de Soleil in AlicanteFlags with Quebec province and Spain at Cirque de Soleil
We went inside the main entrance of the tent to an area which had different displays and souvenirs for sale.
Displays inside the Cirque de Soleil tent
We walked around looking at different displays before heading to our seats. We found our assigned seats and settled in for the show.
Shelley and Ray waiting for the show to begin
The show began with some acrobatics featuring people dressed is frog looking costumes.
Cirque de Soleil performers in frog style costumes.
The show was very interesting and entertaining. There were different acts with numerous types of performances.
There was a contortionists that was amazing to watch. She did poses and maneuvers that were incredible and hard to believe.
contortionists at Cirque de Soleilcontortionists at Cirque de Soleilcontortionists at Cirque de Soleil
The entire show lasted three hours or so and was very impressive. We enjoyed the show and had a great evening with friends.
We celebrated July 4th with some of our friends with a picnic. The 12th century castle of Santa Barbara was a perfect spot, for a picnic. We arrived early and began setting up balloons and decorations for the picnic.
Shelley decorating the picnic area with balloons.
The castle has an area with picnic tables and trees which provide shade.
Ray with the picnic area in the background
The Castle of Santa Barbara is located on Mount Benacantil and is a 166 meters above Alicante. The castle provides great views of the area and part of the coast line of the Mediterranean sea.
The view from our picnic area at the castle
Once we were set up lots of our friends showed up to the picnic. It was a pot luck style and there were foods from many different national backgrounds. There was traditional Venezuela, German, Texas, Polish and United Kingdom foods which everyone shared and enjoyed.
Multi cultural picnic meal with friends at the castle
We enjoyed the day celebrating with our multi-national group of friends from different corners of the world.
Barbara and Shelley enjoying a small beverage
The views were also a great addition to a wonderful day, even the locals dropped in to check out the picnic.
Seagull looking for a free handout.View of the Postuget beach from the Castle
One of the many beautiful features of living in Alicante is the breathtaking views and unique features.
Every year for the past 90 years, Alicante has hosted the “Hougeres” and celebrated the bonfires of San Jaun. We were fortunate to be invited to our friends place to watch the “Noche de la Cremà“ which is the burning of the hougeres. We headed there early to take a walk around the hougere before going up to the apartment.
Shelley and Ray at the Hougeres
The hougere was three storeys high and had some beautiful features to it.
Detailed painting of faces on hougereDetailed different features of the hougere
There was also a smaller hougere which was done by children which was also very impressive and beautiful.
Children’s Hougere
It was sad to think that all of the 89 hougeres in the city would be destroyed by fire later in the night. We went up to our friends apartment to spend the evening and watch the activities. We gathered on the terrace to enjoy the party and watch the crowds.
Alli and Shelley on the terraceRay and Augustine on the terrace
The apartment overlooks one of the main hougeres on a large street in Alicante. We had a perfect view from their terrace.
The view of the hougeres from the terrace
The view down the street was full of people and lights.
The view down the street from the terrace
We watched people gather and get ready for the burning of the hougeres. The fire truck arrived and began to set up and prepare for the burning.
Fire truck arriving at the hougere to set up for the burning
The burning of the hougeres begins at midnight and is signaled by a large palm fireworks sent up from the Santa Barbara Castle.
After the signal we watched for the start of the burning of our hougere. There were fireworks going off throughout the city and the atmosphere was incredible. We enjoyed watching the burning of our hougere and seeing the firefighters spraying the crowd with water.
Firefighter spraying the crowdPeople edging the firefighter on and getting sprayed with water
The spraying of the crowd is a ritual in the event. The crowd chants insults at them in jest and they then turn the water spray on the crowd. There is also a song which roughly translates to “Wet me fireman, please wet me. I’m dying of heat, save me from this hot flush”. The crowd also chant “agua, agua, agua”over and over until they get sprayed. It is all done in fun.
Small hougere burning and firefighters spraying the crowd with water
We put the following video together to give you an idea of the extent and amazing nature of the burning of the hougeres. The video is only a small portion of the party that continues throughout the night.
The experience was one we will always remember. It is amazing how the Bonfires of San Juan and the Hougeres in Alicante are celebrated every year.
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