(10/30-11/02) We have departed from Cartagena, sailing towards the marina in Granada for an inland trip. We have not been to a hotel or exploring inland treasures since our return trip to Leros, Greece, back in September; all our explorations have been by the coast.
(10/31) The over-cast, cool sailing days have been non-eventful until the “Day of the Dolphins!” Our Halloween treat was a visit from several pods of mammals swimming playfully next to Lady Anne. At one point, there were roughly six dolphins right beneath the boat!
For all you travel bugs, I do have some fun news. Katie has ventured out with a part-time gig as a travel agent! She can help book hotels, make restaurant reservations, whatever. If you ask her to book a stay, she is able to secure some perks for you that are only available to a travel advisor. She is paid directly by the establishments so there is no extra cost to you. Her email is “[email protected].” Give her shout. Incidentally, she is very excited to help contribute to her honeymoon fund!
(11/01) We’ve arrived at the marina a day early, once again outrunning strong winds and swells caused by an off-shore storm. After battling storms last year, we have made a conscious mind-set of either staying at a protected anchorage or checking into a marina to avoid weather related complications. Incidentally, as the high season is coming to a close, it is much easier, and less expensive, to secure a slip at a marina.
(11/02-03) On to Seville! Tucked in our rental car, we navigated the “round-abouts” and motored our way through the countryside to Seville, home to Spain’s famed traditions like bullfighting and “flamenco” dancing and popularized by “The Barber of Seville” opera. The picturesque town is also famous for the mixture of Moorish, Jewish, and Christian architecture and deep rooted history.
Walking through the streets of Sevilla, surrounded by the abundance of orange trees and water fountains, was a unique visual and aromatic experience in itself. The city has the most orange trees in the world; more than 45,000 trees line the streets and adorn its squares. With a faint, pleasant smell to the air, I can only imagine how intoxicating the warm spring air can be when the orange blossoms are at their peak. The orange trees are also important to the local culture because they are used for products like jams and liqueurs characteristic here.
Sevilla was a wonderful, understated, beautiful surprise. A fun part of our visit was a narrated horse and buggy ride around the town; most welcomed after lots of walking! Afterwards, we explored all the famous sights of the city such as a small group guided tour of the Catedral de Sevilla where Columbus is buried, witnessed the Setas de Sevilla at night, visited La Giralda, and walked the streets of both the Royal Alcazar of Sevilla and the Plaza de Espana. We even saw the arena where the bullfights were performed. Overall, the city was easy to navigate, clean, and tourist friendly. I could have stayed another day and would recommend it to everyone visiting Spain.
I believe I mentioned life can “get lost in translation.” For example, here, a Spanish omelette is filled with potatoes. So, I ordered a lobster salad for dinner; it was potato salad with mixed bits of lobster. Perhaps I should have known better when seeing the hanging racks of meat in the window and then hearing the whacking noise of a meat cleaver! Well, Rich sure enjoyed his meal. Folks really are carnivores at heart. At least espresso is espresso and the Verdejo wine is always at the ready!