We have enjoyed the Spanish tradition of having a drink and tapas on the promenade. Every town has a promenade, usually on the beachfront, where one walks up and down in the late afternoon assessing the various bars and restaurants for a suitable place to sit. While this is happening , all the patrons are sipping their drinks and eating tapas, and watching the passing parade. Once you have chosen your spot you stop being watched and become a watcher.
We have just spent two days visiting Granada and the incredible Alhambra in the heart of Andalusia and at the feet of the Sierra Nevada.
Granada has been ruled over thousands of years in turn by the Iberians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors and finally the Spanish Christians. The Moors ruled for about 700 years ending in 1492, and the Alhambra is their most astounding legacy. They started building it around 1237 and it was still being added to in 1490, just before they were expelled from the country. The buildings are truly amazing, with beautiful filigree style stone carving. The original idea was to create a kind of heaven on earth, and the whole effect is really fascinating.
We have also visited Malaga which we found to be quite pleasant. The A7 freeway along the coast known as the "Avenue del Mediterranean" is very impressive. It has many viaducts and tunnels which allows one to travel at 120 kph. I'm sure that it has cut travelling time by many many hours, especially when you see how steep and winding the old road was.
Tomorrow we return to Torrox via the scenic route through the Sierra Nevada which is the highest mountain range in Europe after the Alps
No comments:
Post a Comment