This time our bus journey from Granada to Alicante, was set to take the whole day (about 7 hours) - not due to the distance, but due to the many and some lengthier stops along the way. Not a problem at all though, as it was a tour through totally different landscapes with amazing sights.
Initally the trip took the route through olive grove covered hills, with hilltop towns and the Impressive Sierra Nevada mountains as the backdrop. Then the vegetation started becoming sparser with the hills flattening out and then all of a sudden we were in a seemingly moonscape of rugged eroded hills and gulleys, with houses having been built right into the mountains of soft stone. The only part visible was the facade - often just a door with maybe one window, or even none - and several chimneys sticking out of the hilltops. Just incredible ! Where do these dwellings get their light from ? It is a very harsh and hostile environment, with a very bright sunlight. I later read, that this area has been used extensively by film companies because of the light, to make movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Westerns.
Alicante has far more to offer than we anticipated. Its amazing medieval Castello, which overshadows the old town and marina, has a lot more atmosphere and more to see than the guidebooks five ir credit for. We spent our first evening in Alicante with a stiff walk up to the Castle and then investigating all its nooks and crannies and exhibits, which are very i formative and originally structured. We decided to give the exhibit of the torture methods used over the centuries a miss, as I don't have the stomach for it at all and Clint feels he has had an overload of gruesome from the Inquisition Torture Chamber !
Alicante was in full preparation for the major fiesta of the year - which starts today on the day of our departure ( bad planning ...or maybe not with more than 1 Million extremely loud people decending on this relatively small town !). The streets are closed of for processions - part of it with people in the traditional dress of their areas and the other part has a real Rio Carneval feel to it. The streets are closed off, filled with restaurants and bars and are decorated with lots of lights, flags and huge wood and polystirene sculptures - effigies which poke fun at mainly public figures and politicians (they have many notes on them with sayings and explanations - obviously all in Spanish - so lost on us !) . At the end of the 5 days of non-stop festivities ...they really do continue right through the night ( guys in the room next to us in the guesthouse got home at 07h00 this morning ...with a huge amount of noise ... about the same level they had from 23h00 until they left to go out at 01h30 ) - all these effigies are burnt with great fanfare at midnight. Every day there are huge fireworks (and ongoing really loud firecrackers set off by the kids ...looks like the dogs here are used to it, as they hardly flinch ...wheras I just about jump out of my skin every time !). We were lucky to see all the decor with the start of the crowds ...seems to suit us a bit better, although the music shows would have been great. We are told that there are smaller versions in Valencia at the moment , so perhaps will find the excitement there.
There was also the first practice session for the bull fights last night; there will be one every night of the fiesta by looks of things. It seems to be a real family affair to go to and we saw many grandfathers with their grandsons. Clint was really keen to experience the whole vibe, but here again, as with the Inquisition, I just can't get myself to watch what for me is an animal being tortured to death in a very unfair fight ! Personal view, not judgemental , everyone to their own !
The beaches and sea around Alicante are great for a beach holiday , long stretches of sandy beach with clean warm water. 2 weeks before the height of the season it all still looked very quiet.
The Castillo, atmospheric old town, lovely marina and proximity of the beaches make Alicante a very pleasant place to be and definately one for a relaxing summer holiday. We enjoyed the Tapas Bars, had the best Mojito ever, although ordering proves to be very interesting, as you are never quite sure what you are going to get. Luckily Clint and I are not too fussy and tend to eat everything ! Does lead to some funny moments though. Foreign languages make travelling so much more exciting - and Clint's spanish has improved to the important things : dos cervezas (2 beers) and dos cafe con leche (two coffees - with milk).
Now we are off to Valencia, reputed to be the most amazing city in Europe. Let's see ! There is so much too do and see, it is going to be a busy time. What fun ! Enjoying all the wonderful faces which Spain has on offer.
And another aside, it still baffles me how the Spanish women are able to walk through town, over cobble stones and uneven steps in the heat in skin-tight jeans and mini dresses and the highest heels I have ever seen. Sexy and not comfort are definately the watchword here ! There is also definately an art to this, which you are either born with or are taught from an early age. Lots of eye-candy for Clint.
Female tourists stand out a mile with their comfy shoes and clothes .