Thoughts on Valencia

The 4 days in Valencia disappeared far too quickly. It is a city with a beautifully restored old city, fantastic green spaces and some really modern architecture. Our accommodation was very central, just outside of the walls of the old city. As usual, we walked the city flat and hired bicycles for a day. There are many interesting walls filled with graffiti ...it looks like some are commissioned, and some spotaneously taking advantage of the empty walls or doors. There are some quirky artists out there !

A highlight of Valencia was the view from the Miralet, the Moorish Tower attached to the Cathedral. Marvelling at the huge bells about halfway up the 277 steps to the top of the tower, I got talking to a Russian tourist (luckily his English was great !). He also has a great interest in history, so we got talking ...and if the loudspeakers did not warn us that the tower was closing, we most probably would have stood up there chatting for a very long time ! So interesting to speak to someone with a totally different world view. This is one of the quotable quotes :

What is an optimist, a pessimist and a realist ?

Optimist learns English

Pessimist learns Cantonese

And a realist learns Kalishnikov

(Ok...had to think of Con when I heard this.)

Besides the really interesting interlude with our Russian friend, the view from the tower was absolutely stunning and gave us a good indication of the diversity of the architecture. Valencia had a very prosperous time, and this is reflected in the architecture. The influence of the Moors on the architecture can also still be felt. There are many stunning buildings from all different eras, which create beautiful squares, which all seem to flow into one another. It was great just to waft and discover as we went along. One of the more beatuiful gothic buildings with the softening touch of the Moorish architecture is the Silk Exchange . Absolutely stunning !

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the ultra modern architecture of the City of Museums and Sciences complex is equally outstanding. We went there often at different times, as the different light just makes one see different angles. We were there on 21 June - the day of the summer solstice - which was amazing, as there is a whole set of astronomical measuring tools set out to show the different courses of stars and the sun and how this are used for navigation.The Science Museum itself was great as well. All the different aspects of science can be experienced in an interactive way with experiments. Clint and I were kids again - trying out all the experiments - culminating in a game of "brain wave ball" - where you need to manoeuvre a cottonwool ball through a glass tube with brain power only - pushing against your opponent. Very interesting ....especially noticing, that the women all won against their partners. Very interesting indeed !

As in all of the other cities, Valencia has great green areas, the best of which is the dry river bed ( the Turia river has been diverted) , which has been converted into a park filled with running and cycling tracks, as well as all the types of sportsfields, exercise equipment and playparks. Such a fantastic idea and so very well utilised. It is about 8kms in length ...nearly all the way to the beach. We cycled the length of the park and then went on to the harbour and the beach area. The yacht harbour had been upgraded fornthe Valencia leg of the Americas Cup race , and we even rode past the Shozoloza Boat House - with their logo and photos still hugely displayed. Quite something. Unfortunately, as we hit the beach, the weather turned and a rather strong wind came up, so we rode back to our hotel and made it back just in time before the thunder storm accompanied by hail and rain arrived. Not sure what it is ...every time we even think of going to the beach, the weather turns ! In Alicante it also started raining the one day we decided to spend some time on the beach.

One of the biggest fiesta days of the year here in Spain was on Sunday, 23 June, the night of St Juan, which also coincided with the Supermoon. This is the night ...at midnight...that the summer solstice is celebrated, with fireworks, huge bonfires on the beach (that people jump and do somersaults over !) and people running into the sea and jumping over the waves. It felt as if all Valencia was out at the beach with their picnic baskets. Although there was lots of alcohol flowing and thousands of people of all ages, with very little police presence, the general vibe was very peaceful and laid back. As it was our last evening we decided to try the Black Arroz ...a paella made with the ink of a squid and seafood...at one of the beachfront restaurants. Well ...it tasted good, but it was REALLY pitchblack. For the rest of the evening we drank our sangria on the beach and watched girls, in very small bikinis, play a really high level of volleyball, and then wandered along the beach watching the crowds. Many lanterns with flames inside (like hot air ballons) were set off from the beach. All of this under the Supermoon was really quite magical. Somehow Clint seems to have the photographer look about him, as he was asked rather often to take photographs (throughout the trip already!). Great way to meet people !

Somehow the time in Valencia passed far too quickly and we once again just skimmed the surface. I am sure there will be a next time.

Oh yes ...and something that I need to note from the last week - Clint was most impressed that he was approached in the back streets of Granada, whether he was interested in buying some Canabis ! Must be those beads that he is wearing !