by Kim-Ling | Jan 15, 2013 | Córdoba, Navigation, Travel
When it comes to cities to visit, Córdoba often gets left behind or forgotten about. Which worked out just fine for us, as we enjoyed taking plenty of photos without having to worry about ‘photobombs’, or time spent waiting in line. However, it is a shame both for the city and the tourist that skips it, as it is beautiful and deserves a mention.
We only spent one night in Córdoba, but managed to fit in plenty of sights and experiences to enjoy this city and vow to return. Our hotel (Hostal Lineros 38) was great, and had an Arabic feel. They even organised mobile massages (which we enthusiastically took advantage of on our second day).
Our first stop was lunch. The Menu del Día never fails, and with a satisfied tummy, we headed onwards to the great Mosque/Cathedral. It is one of the most amazing and beautiful sights from our journey so far. It started out as a small church, which was purchased by a Muslim prince back in 784 and reconstructed into a mosque. Centuries later, when the Christians conquered Córdoba, the Mosque (which had several extensions since its original acquisition) was converted back into a Cathedral. The beauty and intriguing thing about it is the two distinct styles in the one place. From the outside, it looks like a Cathedral, however on the inside, it looks like a Mosque (apart from the large Christian Renaissance nave in the centre).
The other wonderful thing about Córdoba, was how beautiful the days were. Despite being in the middle of winter, we enjoyed reasonably long, sunny days and temperatures above 20 degrees.
After walking and exploring, we felt that we needed some relaxing. And it just so happens that Córdoba, like many parts of Andalusia, has the perfect form of relaxation: Baños Árabes de Córdoba (Arabic bathhouse). We spent hours (partly due to a communication mix up) relaxing in the bathhouse and attempting the custom of switching between the warm, hot and freezing baths, before receiving a blissful massage. What a way to end the day! Then we headed out for a delicious light snack and dessert at the funky Sojo Fusion before heading to bed.
The next morning started perfectly with a massage. Then we headed out for lunch and more street-wandering, before making our way to our next stop: Seville. Thank you Córdoba for a special two days! I hope to visit you again one day!
by Kim-Ling | Jan 9, 2013 | Granada, Travel
Granada is a smorgasbord for the senses. While the Alhambra is certainly a sight not to be missed, there is plenty more on offer in Granada. (more…)
by Kim-Ling | Jan 7, 2013 | Navigation, Travel
After our amazing New Years in Ibiza, we dazedly dragged ourselves to the airport to catch our flight back to Valencia, where our onwards train to Granada would depart.
Hindsight. It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it? Of course, it’s only good if one has it BEFORE booking tickets. Had I had it earlier, I would have booked a much later flight back to Valencia and maybe forget the overnight train to Granada, which didn’t depart until 1am. Thus allowing us a sleep in and avoiding spending 12 hours in what I like to now refer to as, “Travellers’ Purgatory”.
Travellers’ Purgatory will almost always occur at least once during a long holiday. It is where one is stuck between destinations for an extended period of time, waiting for their connecting train, flight or bus. It often leads to boredom, a sudden onset of tiredness and, in the most extreme cases, crankiness. We managed to delay it for as long as possible by enjoying a Menu del Día (my three favourite words) and walking around the city. However, what made our case of Travellers’ Purgatory worse was that it was a public holiday, so most things were closed. However, the Golden Arches delivered us some salvation in the form of free wifi (this blog was proudly brought to you by McDonalds).
3 hours of wifi, some pintxos, churros, hot chocolates and 2 episodes of Arrow later, our train arrived and we promptly tucked ourselves into our beds with eager anticipation of arriving in Granada the following day (praying we won’t encounter Travellers’ Purgatory again).
by Kim-Ling | Jan 5, 2013 | Ibiza, Navigation, Travel
Ibiza. That is all…
Ok, so now that I have your attention, let me talk about what could be my greatest NYE ever. First of all, we arrived in Ibiza to find that whilst it is no doubt a “clubber’s paradise” in Summer, it is a very different story in the Winter. The streets are lined with billboards promoting only one thing: the clubs. The only problem was that they were promoting events long gone and what we had arrived to was almost a post-zombie-apocalypse town. Having done plenty of reading, I thought I would be prepared for the shock of an Ibiza in Winter, however the lack of people in the streets reminded me more of Canberra’s Civic at 10am than a club that turns over millions of tourists in the Summer. What a difference a season can make. Not only was it quiet, but at least 50% of the stores, restaurants and hotels were fully closed and boarded up until the following Summer. We couldn’t help but wonder how much money they make in the high season to afford to completely shut down business for 4-5 months (even in the middle of the crisis!).
However, not one to really like crowds, this was fine for me. We were able to enjoy getting a table at the popular places (that were still open) without reservations. One great place for atmosphere and tapas was La Cava.
The rest of our time we enjoyed the ‘quietness’ of the island by sightseeing, siestas and shopping.
New Years Eve however, is a different story. All those who are left on the island are out and about. We were lucky enough to stumble upon a restaurant that still had a free table and enjoyed a late-night dinner (11pm to be exact!) of the most succulent suckling pig and taking part in the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape is rushed down at each strike of the bell at midnight, and each grape represents one wish. One of mine would have been ‘I wish these grapes were seedless!’ 🙂
It was a fantastic atmosphere, as everyone stops to take part in the tradition (including staff). Then once the bells are rung and the grapes are swallowed, everyone turns to each other to wish a Feliz Año Nuevo and kiss each other on the cheek. In that one moment, strangers become the best of friends. However, despite our new friendship statuses with strangers, the party must go on. We made our way to Pacha, Ibiza’s only superclub that stays open all year long.
Words cannot really describe how cool Pacha is. It is huge, with different stages, levels and rooms to cater for different music. Although, unfortunately not all of the rooms were opened (possibly due to it being Winter and not having as many people). It did still put on a great night, that didn’t really get rolling until well after 2am. The doors open at 1 and the first hour was great for people watching. What shocked me most was the ages of at least half of the revellers here (at least for the first hour). People well over their 40s were rocking the dance floor in their sequinned attire, with some Rebels club members being part of the mix. Our guess was they were all the hippies that came in the 70s and never left! (Obviously making a fortune in the meantime, as they had access to all of the VIP areas). I was half expecting Richard Branson to be burning up the dance floor. By 2am though, the crowds increased in number and decreased in age and the DJ really got rolling. Unfortunately, due to an ill-thought early flight booking for the following day, we couldn’t party on as late (or early, depending how you look at it) as the rest. However, it was so much fun and an experience I will never forget (although I can’t speak for a lot of the crowd there!)
by Kim-Ling | Dec 28, 2012 | Navigation, Travel, Valencia
Hola peeps
It is with great sadness that this is my last post…. From Valencia! We are off to Ibiza bright and early tomorrow, with the hope that we can enjoy some sun, sand and surf (and maybe a club or two, if they are open)…
With that in mind, I thought I’d take an opportunity to reflect on the week that was… (Cue dream sequence music here)…
True to my word in my previous post, my man arrived on Saturday. Unfortunately, his bags did not… However, putting that aside, it was wonderful to be reunited again. I had spent the morning checking into our apartment (wonderfully located next to the food markets and in the centre of the city) and catching up with a friend who was visiting for the weekend. We feasted on an awesome ‘Menu del Día’, involving a 3 course feast with bread, water and, my favourite, sangria!
We then walked what seemed like the length of the whole city to sightsee and pick up tickets for the soccer game that night… Of course, with my exceptional luck, I was advised upon arriving at the stadium that the game had been changed to the night before, and therefore we had missed the game completely! Thank goodness we bought the cheapest tickets! After the initial shock and bursts of laughter that followed, my buddy and I moved on to take in more sights as we waited for Guy to arrive.
When he did finally arrive, we locked eyes at the station, and the orchestra chimed in before I whispered “kiss me Katut”… Wait… That was another story… But in all seriousness, it was great to see him again (albeit bagless). Then the three of us went out and ate… Chinese food! That’s right, Guy travelled for over 35 hours to eat Chinese food in Spain :p Then, with full stomachs, we all went our separate ways to rest for the big day ahead of eating and sightseeing…
Our Christmas was certainly untraditional. We started off with a few family Skype sessions and then headed to Bioparc, a zoo built to mimic the African wildlife. Now, it’s been many a few years since I visited the zoo last, and this trip certainly brought out the inner child and reinvigorated my love for zoos!
However, despite the non-traditional zoo visit, I was still able to spend part of my Christmas visiting a church (and a 207-stair bell tower).
And to top off the week that was, some yummy tapas, churros con chocolate, sangria and beers! Valencia, you’ve been great!
¡Adios!
by Kim-Ling | Dec 22, 2012 | Spain, Travel, Valencia
Well peeps, if you are reading this, CONGRATULATIONS! The Mayans were wrong and were are still here to enjoy the wonders of the world.
(more…)
