Sunday, November 25, 2007

More of the big trip...

A big day in the citroen through endless, endless olive groves punctuated by large bull and 'Flamingo' (Flamenco) dance silhouettes - destination Cadiz, perhaps the most ancient port in Europe. We ended up in a nice little apartment (apart from the rather noisy 3am bottle recycling truck just outside) in Puerta de Santa Maria just across the harbour. Obviously heavily touristed in Summer there were lots of bars for us and carnival rides for the kids. We took the ferry to Cadiz the next morning and hopped on an open topped bus. Nice ride but we were a little disappointed, it was all a bit run down. The beaches looked nice though, I imagine that they are a bit like Bondi during the summer. We strolled through the centre and incredibly seemed to find all the streets with shoe stores...maybe they all did - anyway the Spaniards certainly like their shoes (and boots too). They do a lot of walking. Off to Ronda on the road less travelled. The windy Sierra de Grazalema roads took us through grizzled cork forests to the scenic village of Grazalema.
A quick luncheon stop and we were off to Ronda. I had been looking foward to getting here for some time and was not disappointed by our inaugural glimpse...

Spectacularly perched on a 100m high ridge Ronda overlooks a tapesty of farming land stretching to the mountains. As well it is split by a deep gorge dividing the new town from the old. Our hotel ended up being at the bottom of the gorge (a steep walk up), but this was well and truly made up by the place itself. Wow! the best hotel we have ever stayed in. It was pure art deco with a tropical garden, huge aquarium and spectacularly sited garden terrace - and to Pa's delight the drinks were free all day! Our two storey room was littered with 'objects de arte' as was the entire hotel. We even got a park right outside.


The 'new' bridge. Rumour has it that the architect fell to his death whilst trying to scribe his name on the side after it was completed.
Angus kicking back with a David Attenborough DVD in our room in Ronda

After Ronda we trundled back home to Orgiva. All in all it was a great adventure and gave Kay and Neil a taste of Spain to remember.

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