Valencia Cathedral – 13th century – has a wonderful facade.There were Traditional Dancers with castonettes in the adjacent plaza. There was also a parade as well as a marathon race that caused us some detours to get to the parking garage.The Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas that houses the Ceramic Museum is also a treat to see. The alabaster carvings on either side of the entry signify the 2 rivers that meet here in Valencia.The history of ceramics and this large gazebo with a rotating globe.We wandered over to the Plaza de Toro and the Estacion del Norte: Train Station.Now there is some ceramic work to celebrate! The room on the right is completely finished in tile.We enjoyed the central Plaza Ayuntamiento after walking around.We headed underground in the Archeology Museum.This was an amazingly intricate Roman vase found on the site.This is a crossroads with Via Augustus where Valencia was born in 138 BC.There was a mural at the end of the Via Augustus to help visualize what it would look like it 138 BC.The thermal baths are under a ground level with a reflecting pond above that gives a really nice lighting affect.You can see the fish scale tile floor and all the places you could sit and soak. Sounds like a good idea!
After enjoying another beautiful sunrise from our balcony…We headed to Tous Reservoir in 3CPO: nickname for our brand new leased Citroen C3 Aircross.The Embassement de Poble Tous displaced the original town.This is the twisty road we had to get to the water.The dam itself is quite interesting and has its own beauty.We followed the Via Augusta to explore Xativa Castle nearby, a stronghold that dates back to the Iberians BC.This is the high side and “newer” part of the Xativa Castle. More history info.It has a Moorish Fountain as well as “grafitti” from that period of occupation.Some of the walls are still standing. Perhaps this is also dating from the roman time.There is even a fairy tale chapel with a knight riding on a white horse slaying a dragon. To save a princess? He was in the Roman army but became a Christian martyr. St. George’s Day is celebrated on April 23 — the anniversary of his death in 303 AD.The lower castle is on the other peak. This is where Hannibal plotted his strategy to take Sagunto from the Iberians in 219 BC.Did they ride this road with the elephants? These lead to the Tower of the Queen- the highest point for her to keep an eye on things.This is the Queen Himilce’s Balcony- Hannibal took Himilce as his wife to seal an alliance between the Carthaginians and Iberians.
Our new apartment in Cullera has this tile work in the lobby.It must have been inspired by the view from our balcony! That peak in the distance is the lighthouse near Javea/Denia and Calpe is just south of it.This is the view of Cullera from the balcony at sunrise with the mountains.We saw a school of Dophins swim by chased by a few gulls.This is the long Cullera Beach with a great promenade. Our apartment is in one of those tall rise buildings at the end of the harbor.The apartment is actually closer to the Faro de Cullera than the town proper and there is a nice long beach on this side as well.Reaching for the stars! The Hands – a sculpture honoring those who took shelter in the Dragut pirate cave during the Spanish Civil War.Cullera rowing club across the Jucar River in downtown area.Estany Lake just to the south is a mix of fresh spring water with the open salt water sea that harbors unique fish species.And of course Cullera has a castle on the hill!We could always return to enjoy the balcony over the Mediterranean Sea.
Our last sunrise from our Calpe apartment was a wonderful way to start our travel day to the new apartment in Cullera.We met with the owner Cristina and gave her apartment a 5 star review.We walked around the Parc Natural Marjal Pego-Oliva to enjoy the scenery.We passed on having this for lunch but thought it was funny: Nebraska Burger AngusWe stopped for lunch along the beach in Olivia – a few people out but not enough enjoying this beautiful day here.There are a lot of Rice Paddies in this areaWhich attract a good amount of egrets.We saw this unique heron fishing at the Natural Parc of L’Albufera.
Welcoming 2023 with a beautiful sunrise over the Mediterranean.The Via Augustus roman road led us to Elche.Elche has a long history so we headed to the Archeology Museum.A large sculpture of the Dama de Elche is outside.The real one is in the National Museum in Madrid but this is the replica. Scholars think it was painted in multiple colors which we saw in another section of the museum.Elche is also a UNESCO world Heritage site for the ancient groves of date palm trees.The doves and pigeons seem quite content to make this their home.A few miles south is the Natural Park El Fondo where we walked over the Salt Marshes.There were several of these red-knobbed coots – a Eurasian water fowl.Enjoying the Peñón de Ifach as we near our balcony in Calpe for Wine O’clock.
Cap de la Nau Lighthouse was one of our first overlooks on the Miradors of Javea tour.This overlook is towards the voted best beach in Spain in Granadelles.Before Javea we found this interesting overlook of another natural park – we decided not hike down to the point.Near Javea was another Roman Fish Hatchery. We had a picnic lunch at the lighthouse at Cap de Sant Antoni in the background.Javea Port with the Natural Park of Montgi in the background.A real windmill in Spain? These ground wheat in the 16th century.This is a Molin Diagram of how it really worked.There are 11 molins near the Cap De Sant Antoni above Javea.The next day we decided to do an morning walk to another Lighthouse of Albi near Altea.It is a Natural Park and was a pleasant 2.5 mile paved walk to the lighthouse at the top.This is Altea and the mountains behind the Costa Blanca.Another day trip further south took us to colorful Villajoyosa where it is said each fisherman used a unique color for his home so he could find it from the sea.Very picturesque – Villajoyosa Lighthouse.
We are on the 5th floor of a highrise on the north end of Calpe, with Peñón de Ifach – that big rock – to the south.From our balcony we are enjoying Sunrises on Mediterranean Sea.There is a wonderful nature trail to the north for several miles.This is one of the coves where you can get down to the sea – the Cala les Bassetes.There is a long promenade on the south side that leads to the rock.We head to the Natural Park Peñón de Ifach for a close up look.There are a lot of gulls here on the cliff sides of Natural Park of Peñón de Ifach.Enjoying the sea from the Natural Park of Peñón de Ifach.From the Natural Park looking back to the North at the section of Calpe we are staying.On the south side of Peñón de Ifach is a longer beach with lots of sun seeking European tourists.The Romans were even here! Baños de la Reina were from around 200 BC.There is no mistaking these as Spanish Steps, leading us to the old town part of Calpe.Walking back to the apartment, there is an inland salt marsh with year around Flamingos.
Christmas season usually includes a bit of Turron almond sweets both Blando (soft) and Alicante (hard like a peanut brittle). We happen to be near where it is made so we set off for a day trip.Museo del Turron is in Jijona (or Xixona) west of Alicante, in an agricultural region that grows almonds and honey.In the 1800’s they used to grind the almonds kneeling behind these stone slabs pressing the rollers with their weight – much like the manos and metatas of the Ancient Americans.The local almonds are round and mixed with local honey before being baked and packaged. We were able to look down on the factory floor and see how it is done today.This 1920’s Rolls Royce truck is just back from a holiday promotion tour in Madrid.On the way home we drove a mountainous route that started in Alcoy. A lot of motor cycles and road bikes on the road – more fun for them than for us, since the road was endless switchbacks and curves.
