Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela

13 Sept 2008

I knew nothing about St James, whose remains are reportedly buried in the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. I knew nothing about the camina, a pilgrimage that snakes it's way from France to Santiago de Compostela.



I knew nothing about the pilgrims who make their way on foot or on bike carrying a scallop shell and a special passport that's been stamped along the route.



I knew nothing about the special incense ceremony that occurs after the end of mass that we witnessed one Sunday. I was probably the only one who knew nothing because there were thousands of tourists in Santiago de Compostela and they were all there for a reason.



The cathedral is located opposite the town hall and a beautiful square made of granite.



I woke early one day to catch some sunrise photos and went to the square with some of the other GAP travellers late at night after one of our many late finishing meals to take some night time shots.



We found a group of troubadours playing in the square one night well after midnight. Our hotel faced a small square adjacent to the cathedral and the drinking and partying in the town went on into the wee small hours.



I'm not too sure if the pilgrims were doing the partying or the rest of the tourists. I've attached some photos of our 2 days there.




I'm on my return journey to Sydney - one flight down and just 3 to go! When I get home I'll post photos from the 2 Portuguese cities that we visited - Porto and Lisbon. Compared to Northern Spain both cities were a riot of colour .

Jillian

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San Sebastian

San Sebastian

11 Sept 2008

San Sebastian was the second stop on our GAP worldwind tour of Spain and Portugal. We'd hoped to spend some time on the beach but the weather was a bit too grey and dreary for that. We soon discovered San Sebastian has great shops all conveniently located. I bought a tote whilst some of the others bought up big in Zara, a Spanish fashion house a bit like Witchery but much bigger.




We had a lovely dinner at the Hotel de Londres on our first night. I had brandade for my first course, duck for second course and flan, a bit like creme caramel for dessert. The second night we went into the old town for pintxos, washed down with sangria. The next day it was back in the bus for the long journey to the Asturias to Cangas de Onis.









See you all again soon,

Jillian

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Pamploma

Pamploma

8 Sept 2008

Pamplona is the home to the running of the bulls though the bulls were long gone by the time we arrived in September. We only had a short time in the city but it had a lovely feel. Our hotel was in the old part of the city. Pamploma was our first exposure to the Catalan language and to pintxos, the local version of tapas.




Here are a few photos from our half day in Pamploma. I found the Cafe Iruna in the main square and it looked like the kind of place Hemingway may have sought out during his time in the city. As well as photos from the old part of the city, I've included some photos of the Citadel, the green space of the city.

Jillian

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Cangas de Onis

Cangas de Onis

Apologies but I'm blogging out of order. The trip has been so busy that I can download the images each night but I don't get a chance to review them. I've yet to blog images from Pamplona or San Sebastian but I was just so impressed with the Picos de Europa National Park that I wanted to share a few of these images with you.



The park straddles Castile, Leon and the Asturias. Our day began with a 4 wheel drive through the park where we visited one of the villages before undertaking an 11 kilometre walk through the park. The walk wasn't all that challenging in terms of gradient but the path was a bit narrow and slippery. All 9 of us who did the walk survived in 1 piece.

I know I'm guilty of never posting photos of my fellow travellers so I've rectified that in this post. If you look very closely you'll see some of the group in one of the collages and I've attached 2 photos with names attached. Apologies if I've misspellt anyone's name.

I'll try and blog 1 more time before the end of my holiday and try and catchup with the rest of the photos on my return.

Jillian

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Barcelona

Barcelona

3 Sept 2008

Where do I begin with Barcelona? It's my third visit to the city and my impression is still the same - it's not one of my favourite cities. Whilst it might be a vibrant place, it's very dirty, covered with scaffolding and needs some one to get at it with a good scrubbing brush!



I went on a Gaudi pilgrimage to the Guell Palace (closed for renovation), La Sagrada Familia (covered in scaffolding) and La Casa Batillo, which thankfully was open and wonderful.



I stayed at a very hip hotel called the Market Hotel opposite the Mercat St. Antoni. On Saturday it was a regular food market then Sunday it was a book market. I'm now in San Sebastian, a seaside resort where the sun just refuses to shine,











Bye for now,

Jillian

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Granada

Granada

1 Sept 2008

I did go a bit crazy taking photos in Granada so there are a few more images than the norm but it was such a great place I couldn't help myself.



There are images of the Alhambra taken from one of the scenic view points of San Nicolas, images from the markets near the cathedral and of course images from the Alhambra itself.

Jillian

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Cordoba

Cordoba

31 Aug 2008

Spain has lots of rail services to Cordoba but I chose the slowest and the cheapest way there from Seville. I still arrived in plenty of time to visit the mesquita cathedral. 



I dropped my backpack at the bus station and caught a bus downtown. I'd read on the internet that Cordoba was quiet unlike the hectic pace of Granada. Wrong - it was just as busy as both Seville and Granada but far less charming.



The mesquita cathedral is quite an amazing building but Cordoba is one hot and dry place which doesn't encourage one to linger.



Once I'd visited the synagogue, I continued on my journey to Granada to see the Alhambra,

Jillian

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Seville

Seville

I know I asked for some warm weather but I didn't really envision the 35-37° heat that faced me in Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Thankfully I was able to take advantage of the siesta or was on an air conditioned bus during the heat of the day. I'm so glad I decided to make the trip to Southern Spain especially to see the Alhambra and to visit Seville.



I haven't had the chance to work on any photos from Cordoba or Granada yet but I've put together a few from Seville. I stayed at the Hotel Alminar quite close to the Cathedral. Not only was it a bargain it was vey well appointed, central, spotlessly clean and you could make yourself a cup of tea!







Some of the highlights of Seville - the orange trees, the sound of horses hooves, the cathedral and the view from the giralda, the cloistered shopping arcades, the Real Alcazar and the afternoon siestas!

Bye for now,

Jillian

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