Tuesday 6 December Malaga – Birthplace of Pablo Picasso
No . . . not the Malaga down Reid Highway on the way to Midland. This is a port in Spain. The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain but we can see the SNOW!!! - on the Sierra Nevada which are apparently 3500 metres high.
We are told that it is unusual, particularly because the ski slopes in the Alps don’t have any yet. Today we are on the wrong side of the boat, the beautiful view is on the other side, we actually have to walk to see Spain. *sigh* We have a fantastic expanse of blue, smooth seas with quite a few passing ships as our view today.
We sat with a Swiss couple for the quiz who assisted with the European capital cities. We did not win but got a score of 10 out of 12. Shared a lunch table with a very nice German couple then took to Malaga as soon as the gangways opened.
We caught a local bus into city centre, walked to the cathedral but chose not to go inside. Have seen sooooo many churches lately. The old city area is lovely, very clean and there are people absolutely everywhere. Every café is absolutely swarming with people spilling out onto the sidewalks. It really has a vibrant feel, but I do wonder who is working on this Tuesday afternoon besides the waiters. Maybe it is school holidays as there are plenty of children as well.
Cathedral
We eventually found one of the Picasso Museums and paid our 6 euro. The artwork here was mostly donated by his family and they were items that he wished to keep and stay within the family. Some very beautiful paintings of his first wife and children. Then the cubist style. Hmmm
We were long overdue on the internet and loaded 6 days blogs with photos (but you would know that). We sat in a café over the road from the building where Picasso was born.
Watched a procession of people posing next to the plaque to take a photo. Also checked bank balances and skyped Steph, who had been watching our bridge camera on the net as we cruised into Malaga. So cool that she could see exactly where we were in the world. We had to buy a tea and waffle loaded with cream and chocolate to get access to the wifi but that was very good too.
The Romans were here as well and there is an amphitheatre with various other excavations.
Late afternoon J went into the Alcazaba, which is an ancient Moorish palace. This fortress was built in the 9th or 10th century. The buildings are in great condition and it has lovely gardens, pavilions & water features. Just wish I had more time. There is a lovely view from the top over the port area and the bullfighting ring. Yes I am in Spain.
Bullring
By the time I got back to the bottom it was dark and as we walked back to the bus station the streets were lit with a fantastic display of Christmas lights. *sigh* Late into dinner, which had a Spanish theme. Classical music concert tonight.
Approximately 11.30pm we were near the Rock of Gibraltar. Interesting to see the lights of both Spain and Morocco which are so close together through the Straits of Gibraltar. There was a strong wind and it was COLD. First time I got the full benefit of my Columbia blizzard jacket. About that time, we passed the Greenwich meridian and passed into the western hemisphere.
No comments:
Post a Comment