Solotravel

Final Day in Madrid

Up bright and early at the Madrid hotel for the drive to Toledo about 3/4 of an hour away. We had to return to pick up one of the members who was constantly late or missing.

Then on to the medieval city. The stunning views of St Martins bridge and the old city were added to when we were driven to the high point overlooking the city before being taken to the drop off point. Parking the bus has been a nightmare for the driver, I imagine. Thankfully, there were several sets of escalators to, take us to the top. I would not have made it otherwise.

The local guide walked with us, pointing out places and spots of interest. One at a house where the owner had wanted a garage, but on building it discovered historic ruins and had to open the ‘garage’ to the public for viewing! The cobbled streets, some so narrow it was nearly possible to touch the walls with outstretched arms. They went up and down, with very little level ground, which certainly stretched the muscle capabilities. Stopped off at a small coffee shop with restrooms, a welcome relief for many members of the group.

Then on to the Cathedral, yet another Cathedral, they do hold an attraction for me, for some reason. All with their own idiosyncrasies. The amount of money previously spent on making churches look good must have been phenomenal, all while the parishioners were probably starving. The highlight of the day was seeing close up the work of El Greco. Typical with heads a ninth of the body size, and slightly longer bodies.

Noting the three things that are his signature, the open hand, the two fingers together and the paper, or in this case a hankie for his signature. This one, however, had just a date, his sons birthday. When asked about it he said it was his masterpiece not the painting, but his son.

Leaving the city it was a slow walk back to the bridge, and on to the world famous Toledo knife factory briefly. Then returning to the hotel for lunch, which for me was the remains of a pizza from last nights dinner. The onto a city tour of Madrid, this time in the sunshine, the last time had been raining and cold. It certainly showed a different Madrid to the one I spent a few days in before the tour.

Valencia with Paella

After a lovely breakfast, it was onto the bus for a guided tour round lovely Valencia and onto El Palmar and its paella. Initially, on the bus, then by a local guide through the old city and markets, many closed because of the holiday. I was fascinated to see a pavement stamp seller, with albums and stamps for sale! Sadly, the group were moving so I had to leave, I would’ve like to have lingered a little longer. I did get a photo of some of the locals dressed for the festival that is on today.

Then on to the bus ready to take a ride from Valencia to El Palmar. An area that grows the country’s rice and is apparently the origin of paella. A local guide took us to show the rice paddies/fields explaining the process. Some of the tractors preparing the land for planting that was due to start soon. Birds following the machines looking for free food. They were very fleet of foot and managed to avoid being crushed.

Taking a boat cruise around the lagoon, depth of 1metre! The size of 24 miles long, 1.5 -2 miles wide. Locks control the entrance of some salt water into the lagoon on a regular basis to keep the water as ‘sweet water’ We saw an eel, apparently they are caught and used in the food prepared in the local restaurants. Not a lot of wildlife to be seen apart from a few ducks and herons, given it was a special trip to observe.

As promised followed by the original paella meal. We wandered through the kitchens to see the preparations being made for our lunch. A lot of fish, eel, and mussels which my companion Shimona from Israel, enjoyed as I don’t eat fish.

The toasted bread roll was very nice, as well as the red peppers served with hummus and tomato dressing. The paella nice, but I didn’t think outstanding, but at least it was all locally produced. Wine and coffee provided as well, something that doesn’t always appear as routine here.

I was glad to get back to the hotel my legs becoming very swollen and painful. I would’ve like to have gone down to the old city again but decided against it, better to look after the legs.

Journey to Tel Aviv

Traveling from Rome to Amman, reaching Tel Aviv after interesting flights in an Embraer195 /175. Brazillian made. I spent the entire day with a Brazilian/Canadian / Israeli passenger also doing the same flights, was lovely having company. He apparently hadn’t spoken English for quite some time. I also enjoyed speaking with him, it is always nice being able to communicate!

After boarding and waiting on the tarmac for about an hour on the Amman/ Tel Aviv sector in the adjoining seat was a chap from the UN. I was interested to hear he had met Helen Clarke a former NZ Prime minister. As well as David Shearer, another well respected New Zealand MP. Enjoyed chatting to him while we waited for clearance to take off. He was a most interesting guy living in Bethlehem and commuting.

The trip itself was only half an hour, but a rather bumpy and windblown one. Eventually, getting to bed around 2.30 am after going to the wrong hotel and wandering the 3-400 meters in the deserted downtown streets to the right one. I was assured the streets were very safe, but I did notice graffiti, building sites like dumps, so not terribly comforting.

A lovely hotel when I eventually made it.
Tel Aviv looks like a large messy, building site. with the occasional finished project! The beach, however, was glorious. Shops were closed today for a holiday which meant I couldn’t get any more shekels. Think I may have stuffed up one try at the ATM, waiting to see if the money came out going to some other lucky person!
The closed shops also meant I couldn’t get an adapter for toothbrush/ iPad. Luckily the hotel had a USB charger I can use to charge the power pack. For some reason, the iPad doesn’t charge on the hotel USB, but it will feed off the power pack??? So screen time is limited at the moment.

Madrid to Valencia

I ordered a taxi to check out, to join the tour taking me from Madrid to Valencia. It’s not often I treat myself to a taxi, but the way to the tour start hotel was just too confusing. I took the plunge and was somewhat pleased with the experience. The cost a very reasonable €8.50.

The tour was to start from the Praia. It was a very busy hotel, so I spent most of the morning online in the lobby, as I was too early for check-in. It also left a lot of time to wander around the local shops which included two grocery shops, never there when you want them! The joy of joys, a laundromat close to the hotel. Nice hotel, but still no jug, and still shower over the bath. I hate those, I just don’t feel safe.

Nice dinner after having the usual pep talk on hitting the road at 8.30.

A shortish drive to Aranjuez on the Castilian plain where we were going to stop to see the Royal Palace.

Some of it built in the 14 century. Included as part of the tour, the entry was preceded by the standard security checks. The rooms we saw were stunning, all decorated so differently. The one with an Arab influence I found amazing with all the tiles, totally overwhelming. Each room in its own way was even more stunning. You just wouldn’t want to stay in any of them for any length of time because they would play havoc with the senses. Unfortunately, photos weren’t allowed, but the visions will certainly stay in my mind. The gardens are typical of the 17-18 century with fountains and topiary hedges.

Then it was back in the coach for the nearly two-hour drive to Cuenca,

famous for the houses that are built to hang over the walls of the Cuenca gorge. The walk up nearly killed me but I slowly made it up to the top and across the pedestrian swing bridge. Interesting old village cobbled streets and stunning views. Sunday and a church service in progress meant I didn’t go in.

The long slow walk back down and a short walk around the city at the bottom of the cliffs. Houses still stacked on top of each other, some of the trees glorious with their spring flowers. What they were, I have no idea, possibly cherry and almond trees.

Back onto the bus for the trip to Valencia with a brief comfort stop after an hour or so. A very nice dinner at a local restaurant finished the day off nicely!