Granada - we arrived on Tuesday morning. The hotel told us to park off the main avenue and then check in as traffic was strictly controlled around the hotel and the hotel was up a hill accessible only by foot traffic. So we park and start walking with a suitcase, a camera bag, and Maggie's Spain canvas bag and purse. We walk in the general direction of the Alhambra, as the hotel literally sits at the foot of the old palace. We're walking for something like 5 miles/1.5 hours completely lost. No street signs (would it kill them to put a few up every now and then), no maps, zero. We finally find a map and realize that we were walking parallel to the hotel, and that we have another 2 miles to go back towards the hotel.
The hotel is literally a half a block up a hill that only a crack-crazed moped rider would take (and several did while we trudged up the cliff). The hotel is a 16 room inn furnished by Ikea - all nice and modern. Loved the room, hated the walk.
We walked the city, especially the Chapel off the Catedral - where a large ornate grill older than the USA separated the different areas of the chapel. Lost train of thought (see below)
OK - let me preface the next bit of info out there. We are sitting in the shade at the resort off the Costa Del Sol surrounded by British and German tourists. We're drinking beer and trying to catch up. I just glanced over and saw what appears to be a 70+ year old grandmother sunbathing topless. Just vomited in my throat.
We catch a bus to the top of the Alcabacin (sp?) which overlooks the town and across to the Alhambra. This area is part of the original town inhabited by the Moors. Obviously, they didnt' have an understanding that cars would soon be used for transport, as the streets are about 5' wide. Maybe 6' - either way, forget driving up here unless you already have a piece of shit car or balls of steel. That was why our car was in a covered lot 10 miles away. It was towards the end of the day, and the alhambra is backlit. Stunning/beautiful/amazing/etc......
We walked down through the windy streets of the Albacazin, simply amazed that anyone with a car would be brave/stupid enough to drive the streets. For brevity's sake, I'm going to start posting a few photos from the rest of the trip. Needless to say, Granada was a MAJOR highlight. We drank, walked, and photo'd most of the city. The Alhambra was stunning, more impressive than anything I have seen so far on this trip. If we have the chance to go there again, I would not hesistate to do this again!!!
Imagine trying to drive your car through these streets. Don't do it unless you have a rental (hint hint)
Catedral de Granada, looking down from the Alhambra. Oldest and 2nd largest in Spain.
Inside the Gereralife within the Alhambra. Spent about 5 hours there walking the old fortress and gardens. Unbelievable!!!!!!
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