Very hard to get a real sense of it until you see it from the town. Stunning.
The Alhambra Part 1
A peak experience. It must be at least 15 years since we’ve been, and couldn’t remember any of it. The inside:
Out and About
We quickly realised it’s a morning place to stay – loses the sun at about 4.00 at this time of year, and is less comfortable sitting outside!
So Malaga and our old favourite beach/promenade come into their own.
Malaga is just as we remember it.
Cheers (Rum and Cointreau since you ask!)
Closest I’ve ever been to $200m!
Off to Granada and the Alhambra tomorrow.
Sunrise and Sunset
Haven’t posted much, mainly because we haven’t really done much. But we have seen great beginnings and ends to the day.
Sunrises
Sunsets
Padre Aviles
As per usual, Eileen found us a decent place to stay – and we’re the only ones here so it is absolutely quiet.
Here until Wednesday – and you never know we might even decide to return here at the end. We’ll see.
Malaga 17 November
It’s only 6 weeks since we got back from Portugal, and we’re already fed up with cold dark greyness, so scanned weather forecasts and plumped for Malaga again. It was March when we were here before, so feels familiar.
But still stressful. Car hire is always in there (!) – this time loads of damage (not recorded) so spent ages examining and discussing. Then got lost (how the heck did that happen with Google maps and familiarity???), and very tired.
But oh so worth it.
And Jo found a flat in NYC just 2 blocks north of Central Park which is exciting and a massive relief in equal measure.
Wednesday
Home again, after another visit from our friend
Smooth (except couldn’t find the car rental drop off) and very pleased to have chosen Stansted over Luton and it’s car park fire.
Tuesday – Last Day
Wonderful evening with an unexpected visitor. And we’re at about 700m so just a little bit cooler than we’ve become used to.
Breakfast on the terrace (obviously)
But there’s work to be done, even though it’s very hard to drag ourselves away. But that’s Marvao Castle in the distance.
Well worth it.
While we’re out, worth a detour to Castelo de Vide
Then just getting provisions and returning for some R&R was a very attractive proposition!
Elvas
So after the hectic sightseeing yesterday afternoon, we were looking forward to a laidback morning, wandering around Elvas, and it didn’t disappoint.
Yes – that’s my early morning, and the photos at sunrise are better. Two coffees in the square, enjoying the coolness and watching the world go by.
Then a bit of a find. A very small paragraph in the guide book alerted us to some ancient cave paintings pretty much on our way. We’d been to Lascaux in France where they’ve built a massive replica for tourists. Same vintage (thought to be between 4000 and 6000 years ago), but here just open to anyone (and we were the only ones).
And then Eileen found us an amazing place for the last two nights, with a decent view (!) from the terrace.
Sunday – Vila Vicosa
We’re leaving Evora and heading off to Elvas today. But Vila Vicosa came highly recommended, and it’s on the way.
It’s main claim to fame is a Royal Palace
I’m thinking an analogy to the UK might be Windsor – not the main one, but pretty high in the rankings and in a small town outside the capital.
Anyway, you can only go round in a tour group. Our Portuguese isn’t really up to scratch, so had the bright idea of letting google translate loose and transcribing it. Not sure that Smurfs or airports were in the original talk though ….
So it was ok, but probably a little below expectations.
Elvas
Elvas, however, is spectacular. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our plan was to relax when we got there and hit the sites on Monday morning – until we learned that everything closes on Mondays. So in 34 degrees we climbed (actually drove most of the way) to Fort da Graca.
That’s Elvas.
Then Elvas Castle
That’s Fort da Graca.
And the day’s work is done, so can enjoy the evening.
