This blog and the photos I took won't be enough to describe or do justice to what the Alhambra is or meant to me. I had been looking forward to going all week after hearing such great things about it from Mum, Dad and Jane, other friends and general knowledge. Our session to enter the Palace Nazaries was for 5pm, where the temperature at that time was a balmy 39 degrees. The palace is easily the most intricate and beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. Everywhere you look there is something new to see, mosaic patterns, tiling, gardens, fountains, Arabic scriptures and amazing carved marble. At one point I ended up laying on the floor of one of the rooms so I could see the entire roof, which was tiled with circle golden mosaic tiles. It was amazing. The views of Granada were great and you could really get a scope for how big Granada was, as well as a view of the snow on the Sierra Nevada which looked pretty enticing at that heat.

My favourite part was probably the Generalife, which are beautiful gardens with hedges surround it and cute water features throughout. Looking out at the rest of Granada there is not much greenery, and to be up there surrounded basically by a forest of trees and plants is a bizarre feeling! I'm really not a spiritual person, but being at the Alhambra was the most spiritual I've ever felt and it was really a magical experience.

The night was capped off with the best tapas I've had so far! Ellen, Ally and myself managed to get through four rounds of tapas, each different which became a bit of a guessing game. First it was teriyaki chicken skewers with bread and salsa, then croquettes with bread and salsa, then seafood tortilla with stewed mushrooms and bread, and then some meatballs, of course with bread. All washed down with a few sangrias, tinto de veranos, and cervesas.

Granada, you have been my favourite and I am definitely planning on coming back here to live. Even with a parting gift of food poisoning (kebab, tasted great though which was a plus) and my old friend bed bugs (itchy b******s!! had to wash and dry alllll of my clothes again) my views of you are not tainted and I am so grateful for one of the most amazing weeks of my life.

I'm currently in the frying pan of Spain, Seville. It lives up to its name, its currently 41, though this is a 'cold' day according to locals, so they are all walking around in long sleeved tops and jeans. Not even kidding. Just did a great walking tour, had fantastic seafood tapas and am now heading back for a quick siesta before exploring it some more tonight.

Gracias Spain, for two diverse, delicious, devine and unforgettable weeks of my life. Now back to boring London town briefly, until I'm home: Belfast! Xxxxx