Another day in Paradise

Today we got up early and started our drive back to Rota . We found our way back to the Navy Base and the air terminal. We were very happy to make it back without any car problems, especially since we put about 4000 kilometers (2500 miles) on the car during the past 3 weeks.
Here is a map of our travels. WHAT AN ADVENTURE!!!

Margo and our trusty car in front of Rota Air Terminal.


At the air terminal we found out about 2 possible space-A military flights coming up: One was leaving Rota at 2230 for Norfolk, Va and the other was leaving early Sunday morning at 0200 for Columbia, SC. Both schedules were very iffy, because it’s the military. We kept waiting for updates on both flights. They were both having mechanical delays and very little information was available to us. We sat around the terminal for a while, but decided to check into the Navy Lodge to rest up before the transatlantic flight.

As the time was coming near for committing to a flight, we decided to go for the first flight that left for the U.S east coast – the Patriot Express flight to Norfolk. The Patriiot Express is regular flight contracted by the U.S. government to carry troops and families back and forth. It was running late, but was indeed coming in from Siganella, Italy. We kept getting conflicting reports about vacancy on the flight, as it was a huge 767 that can hold up to 300 passengers.

Turns out there were about 175 military personnel and families on the flight from Italy and about 50 more leaving from ROTA. So, we had seats on the plane. We found out that this plane is operated by Ryan Air, complete with stewardesses and two meals and 4 movies. We arrived about 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, U.S. time. We tried to find a military flight to Charleston where our car was parked, but there were no military flights. We arranged to pick up a rental car in the morning, took a cab over to the commercial airport, and napped for an hour or two at the airport.

Rented the car at 7:00 a.m., and drove to Charleston. We had a very pleasant ride in Virginia and got to see some beautiful fall foliage along the way. We were delighted to see rain and greenery and the colorful leaves. We moteled in Charleston, and next day we drove back to Winter Park. WHEW!

Turns out, if we had gambled and not taken the Patriot Express but waited for the C5 going to Columbia, SC – it did indeed have mechanical difficulties and didn’t leave Spain till November 3rd!!!

In the final days of enjoying our time in Spain, Margo realized that there were certain images and sights that were characteristic of Spain. Here is her list along with some pictures that Margo took of some of these items. Some are probably in other European countries, but we are not sure as we are not big world travelers.

Super-long, skinny pillows at every hotel.

Stainless steel covers on every roll.

Glass shower walls that went only half way.

Lots of solar panels.

Even more wind turbines.

Blue double arrow signs at each freeway exit.

Cepsa Elf Gas stations – Margo’s favorite gas stations in Spain

“Do not enter” sign in any language.

Lots of motorcycles, everywhere.

Plenty of olive trees.

And plenty of olives – served at every restaurant and café and bar.

Fancy table settings a common sight

Well-dressed restaurant staff.

The only salad dressing - Oil and Vinegar, plus tissue-thin napkins.

Pork – all types – was very popular (we even saw ham flavored potato chips.)

Roll-down window shutters – in every city we visited.

Other observations

• Super-clean bathrooms, even in gas stations
  
• Super white and pressed linens and napkins at restaurants and cafes
  
• “Closed” signs during siesta hours
  
• Energy-efficient buildings with motion activated lights
  
• Every hotel room had a slot for your room key card; it turned on all electrical power in the room
  
• Changing the silverware and plates between courses at restaurants
  
• Women wearing spiky high heels and boots

Ahhh, the Alhambra !

Today we got up and drove a short while to Granada to see the Alhambra – perhaps the most famous tourist site in Spain. We stayed at the Macia Real Hotel – a place Margo had found on the internet. The hotel was easy to get to, close to a city bus stop to get to the Alhambra, and was very modern and beautiful.



Visiting the Alhambra was truly an exceptional experience. The Alhambra with its gardens is the jewel of Spain.



Fortunately, we knew to purchase the tickets the previous week on the internet, and we got to go inside at our preferred time, and avoided long lines at the front ticket office. They only allow so many visitors inside at one time, and you cannot go in except at your reserved time. Security was very tight.

The palace was a combination of original work and restoration of a 12th-century Muslim palace. The walls were covered with intricate carvings in Arabic patterns and geometric shapes. It was very impressive.




After visiting the palace, we got to stroll through the famous gardens. They had numerous flowers, shrubs, and fountains, in the middle of this very arid land. It was an incredibly calming and peaceful experience, and a real treat to see so much greenery.





That night at the hotel, we had one of our best meals; and it was served in style.

Last Lecture in Spain

David was picked up by Sebastian Bruque and Josep Marti at the hotel this morning, and Margo decided to accompany them to the University of Jaen. Sebastian is in charge of international relations, and is a wonderful emissary of the University, and treated us very well the entire time. Josep is an astronomy professor, and was our local host. Josep did a great job showing us around the university, and even gave us a look at the telescope in the observatory at the top of the science and engineering building. Today was David’s last seminar in Spain, and again he had good attendance and a receptive audience. Sebastian took us out to lunch after the presentation at a very nice restaurant close to campus, and Josep drove us back to the hotel in time for David and Margo to make to the tennis courts for their reserved time. After playing tennis, we took a cab straight to the Castillo de Santa Catalina. It is a fortress built at the top of a steep hill – the highest point around for miles. The castle was started in 1246 and completed over the next 4 centuries. This castle was amazing – no way could any army of the day storm this stronghold!


After seeing the castle, we walked over to the Parador, which is a restored part of the castle.

Olives Galore

Another travel day… We took off for Jaen, and had another 5-6 hour drive. The countryside is getting a lot more arid, and the scenery reminds us of the U.S. southwest.




As we got close to Jaen, we saw literally millions of olive trees. As far as the eye can see, on hillsides and in valleys and on the sides of steep mountains: olive trees.





Arrived in Jaen, and checked into a nice 4-star hotel, Infanta Cristina, at the edge of downtown, near the university.

Margo and David decided to try to find out about some tennis courts, and after getting advice as to where they were, we decided to walk to them. The girl at the desk said it would be about a 15-20 minute walk. About an hour later, we found a big sports complex that actually had 3 tennis courts. We made a reservation for a court for 4:00 the following afternoon, and we actually got to play the next day.

David had been feeling pretty good about his Spanish at this point, but as we were leaving the tennis courts, a kid ran up to us and asked us what time it was. David proudly said it was a quarter after 20.

Exploring Alicante!

In the morning, Dori picked up David and took him to the University of Alicante for his presentation. Margo went exploring in the town, and walked to the shore of the Mediterranean to see the beach.












Here are other photos of the city that Margo took while walking in the town:













After David’s talk, he had lunch at the University with Dori and her husband, Jose Luis. Then Dori kindly offered to come back to town and take David and Margo to see the castle – Castillo Santa Barbara. Here is a photo from the beach, showing the castle at the top of the hill, and some shots from up at the castle. The castle was high above the city and afforded great views.


Later, David and Margo went out to dine in one of the many sidewalk cafes. Also here is a view from our hotel room at night – the castle is at the top of the hill.

Travel Day

Today was a travel day. We drove from Barcelona to Alicante – a beautiful, but lengthy drive with many views of the Mediterranean Sea as we headed south. Arrived in the city with no problems, but once there, Garmin got us turned around once or twice. Finally found the hotel and it was really nice. We met Dori Carratala of the University of Alicante and went out for tapas at one of her favorite local places.

Barcelona, Redux

We had a similar day today but with two differences. We discovered an exclusive tennis club close to where we are staying, and talked our way past the security guard and got to see the inside. However, it was a private club, and the pro was not there today, and we could not find anyone to play with. Plus they were having some sort of women’s club match on five of the courts. So after watching some club members play tennis on the red clay, we left. We took the “red” route today and saw different parts of Barcelona, including stopping at the famous Sagrada Familia Cathedral, designed by Gaudi, and which started construction in 1882. It is still being built following Gaudi’s design and is expected to be finished in 2030!

The cathedral is probably the single biggest sightseeing structure in Barcelona. The most interesting part right now by far is the outside. We were surprised that the inside was very far from being finished. Thousands of people make their way to this cathedral every day.

We hopped back on the red line bus and then stopped at a sidewalk café for some beer and tapas.

We also visited a museum right near the university – it was the former palace of King Alphonso XII. It was very good and filled with furnishings and paintings from 1100 on. There was also an impressive antique ceramic, porcelain and pottery collection in dozens of rooms. Margo bought some salad fixings, and made a great salad back at the room. We got some other local foods and had dinner in our room. Exhausted, we went to bed early.

Both days, the weather was sunny & in the 70’s. We enjoyed our days in Barcelona. Here is just a fraction of what we saw at the daily street “shows” at Las Ramblas.