Granada - The Incredible Alhambra

Hello again, June 2 - 4, 2008 Granada, Spain

I just left an amazing city - Granada. This was I think the first city I´ve visited on the trip that really exhibited its historical cultural mix from the past. Walking thru the vendor lined streets, and alleys in the Albyzin district, you can see the Islamic past, shops and restaurants with gifts and tastes from North Africa. And high above the city, much like the Acropolis in Athens, stands the Alhambra.

The old city is the best place to stay and visit. Its actually quite compact and easy to see the sites. The old cathedral dominates the center of the old downtown. This structure took some 200 years to build, finished in the 15th century ( I believe). And the main thoroughfare from the old city stretches into the new Granada. It is a wide tree lined street, with a center walkway. Walking this street, allows you to see daily life in the city. Families walking, older citizens chatting on the benches, children playing.

The Alhambra - I spent the better part of a day there, touring this incredible site. The Alhambra is a fortress, a palace and a garden all rolled into place, surrounded by a huge wall and all high above the old city.

The Alhambra, a World Heritage site, dates back to Roman times, but was re-build by Sultan kings when Arabs invaded the Iberian Pennisula from Northern Africa. Upon the existing fortress site built in the 9th century, Sultan kings built an amazing palace around 1260AD up until the time of Columbus. Its palace is breathtaking, exhibiting Islamic writings, carved columns, patios and gardens with intricately flowing water systems. Beautifully colored tile is everywhere.

Later in the 17th century, King Charles who loved the site, built his own palace there as well.

Granada is filled with history, and a cultural past. And of course, representing today, some great food, Tapa bars and restaurants that are fun to visit and enjoy. I stayed in the Albyzin district, in a hostal right across from the Alhambra. Its back yard patio had an incredible view of the palace high above on the hill. The Albyzin, is a maze of small, very narrow streets. Its a challenge just finding your way back to your hostel. But beatiful small plazas, with outdoor cafes and shops. A fun and picturesque place.

I miss the Portuguese pastries, the Spanish just can´t compare in that category.

Well I´m off to Ronda, a small city in the hills above the Spanish coast. I´ll spend a couple of days there.

See you back then.

Bill

Salema - Fishing Village on Portugal Southern Coast

May 31 - June 1, 2008 Salema, Portugal

Hi all, just a quick note to show some pictures of Salema. Shhhhh, keep this place a secret, it is still relatively undiscovered compared to the rest of the Algarve, the Southern Coast of P0rtugal on the Atlantic Ocean.

I´m in Granada, Spain now, will report back soon.

Bill

Evora - The Walled City

Hi All, May 29-30, 2008 Evora, Portugal

I spent two days in one of the most marvelous Portuguese Cities, Evora. Evora is about mid way down the country and out more in the East. Its in the Alentejo region. Great weather, vineyards and great wine too!

Evora has some left over Roman influence as well as Christian dominance. One of the most preserved Roman Temples is here, its stately square of columns (16 of them I think) and Corinthian Capitals look out over a Monestary courtyard with a beautiful view of the surrounding area. I took in a nice sunset here. Funny thing, these Portuguese always find the highest places around to put their castles, walled cities and cathedrals. If you see the walls, some over 20 feet in height and probably 6 feet or more thick, you know why they were so effective in defending the city, in an era with only bows and arrows and catapults. Even in an era with modern weapons they are still are imposing structures.

Also here was the remenants of a Roman aqueduct, amazing structure. Its purpose was to bring water from near by springs, by gravity to the city. The Romans were impressive builders. Its great to see it up close.

Evora was easy to explore, but I chose to do it slow and enjoy it. Two days here was perfect. I got a kick out of my young 20´s something Innkeeper at the hostel in Lisbon. She said, " two days in Evora!! all you need is a 1/2 a day!" Haaaa kids!! I had no problem stretching out 2 days for Evora, seeing the churches, cathedrals and old university, relaxing, eating Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup, great local red wine, and Super Bock beer, sitting in the cathedral, people watching, more eating, and hiking along the Aqueduct.

Evora was an amazing place. I will upload pictures for you soon

I took buses south to the Portuguese Algarve, the Southern Coast. I´ll report back on that next.

Yours in Travel, Bill

Haven´t Gotten Lost - Will be with you soon

June 2, 2008

I just arrived in Granada. I´m now in Spain!! Left Portugal behind. Today has been the most hectic, today I was all day on bus rides.

I went to Evora after Lisbon, small town slim chance for internet. Then to Salema, I mean a sleepy town!! no Interet, then long bus ride. I´m in a big city now and can write.
All is well here, it has been great. The bus rides to Salema, Portugal then from there to Granada, worked like a champ.Two changes and I lucked out with the timing.

Anyway, this is a fascinating city. Just got here, but amazing. Alley ways with Morrocan goods, incense, shops with Bong smokers (Hookahs) and a lot of Hippies. You can really see the Islamic influence here that was crushed 1000 years ago, yet still hangs on.
I´ll try to get another blog out on the last two Portuguese cities, it has been hard finding internet service, and that is good because the small cities are GREAT!!! I relaxed and really enjoyed the walled city of Evora, and the sleepy coast town of Salema.

I was worried, cuz the Algarve coast of Portugal has exploded, it was like a miami beach except worse, 1/2 mile deep of high rise for miles and miles, serving the European ¨sit on the beach¨market. Then I found Salema, still small, fishing village, not affected by it all. It´s on the southern coast of Portugal out West. Now into the big city. I´ll see the Alhambra on Wednesday, an amazing palace, a World Heritage site.

I´ll be back to you with details on my small Portugal City experience, now on to explore Granada

Yours in Travel
Bill