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.
L’Escala Apartment In Front of the Sea looked the same after we were gone for 996 days waiting for our return so we could continue our Spain vacation.Henry guarding the keep at Torre Montgo. He could see the Barbarian approaching for miles. Our previous pictures of L’escala.There is a beautiful cove and the Platja de Montgo on the other side of the tower. We decided to walk to the cliff on the other side.Looking back from Cala MongoBeautiful Bay of Roses from Punta Ventosa.What does the sea look like down there? From Punta Ventosa.The Seagulls look different with a black and white tail.We enjoyed a walk around the marina and especially the old fishing boats.Walking back along the shore and the Reilles beach is The Little Prince reminding us that what we tame is important to us.The city of Emporion on the Bay of Roses off the Mediterranean Sea is where the Greeks first landed on the Iberian peninsula.The Ruïnes d’Empúries shows many different centuries of Greek building.Asclepius is the god of medicine and this replica looks over his temple – and the Greek Ruïnes d’EmpúriesThe real marble carving is inside the museum with a 3D computer recreation movie of Empúries as it looked in the 2nd century BC.This incredible roman mosaic (each piece smaller than the end of your pinky) from the 1st century BC depicts the myth of the sacrifice of Ipigenia.So the Romans drove out the Greeks and built their larger city adjacent but inland to complete the archeology Ruïnes d’Empúries.This is part of the Roman city with baths, mansions, mosaic floors and all sorts of interesting architecture.This is a small Roman courtyard in one of the massive mansions.The edge of the city has a concrete wall which was one of the earliest examples of Roman concrete we had actually seen.Sunrise on the Mediterranean is a great way to celebrate the winter solstice.
A gorgeous Faro (Lighthouse) at Cap Sant Sebastia.Amazing pink cliffs from Parador L’Aiguablava.The Costa Brava has walkways for much of the coast – this at Platja de la Fosca.The vineyards in the Alta Empurada with sheep near Peralada.South of the French border we took a walk near La Jonquera through a cork forest.We went searching for this Menhir Circle, Bas Baleta I. Incredible.The Menhir Cirlce has a center stone but not sure if it is meant to be a sundial or what the significance is.Nearby is the Bas Baleta II, a Dolmen that has collapsed.A short walk took us to Dolmen Estanys II.There is also the Menhir dels Estanys II – we wonder what these meant.And then onto Dolmen del Querafumat.We had some more urban walks, this in the medieval city of Pals.And here with the Catalan Christmas Log in Peratallada.This tower in Peralada suggests it is time to head for wine o’clock!
Ullastret is the largest Iberian settlement discovered so far in Spain. Picture is from 3D movie recreation.The excavated 5th Century BC Ruins today. We used an audio wand (in English) which assisted with interpretation of what we were viewing.This is what it would be like to walk the streets as shown in the 3D recreation.Looking over a dry moat you could see the enemy approaching for a long ways.We were the only ones in the 3D movie shown on 3 walls, so realistic how it brings to life the old city.The stone work on the thick walls around the city is amazing.The interior spaces appeared to be comfortable.Nearby is Sant Sebastia de la Guarda, an interpretive Iberian park.This was very well explained and we learned a bit more about Iberic life.The storage cisterns were at both sites – one was 15 feet deep into the ground and shaped life a large vase.
We drove to Girona to switch our gray VW Polo for a different VW Polo – a zippy little manual. Time to motor back to the Via Augusta.So we drove a bit further SW to Caldes de Malavella which is know for thermal hot springs due to volcanic history.There are many Modernist buildings when this town was rejuvenated in the 1900’s as a Spa Retreat, which it still is today.It has been a Spa retreat for quite a few centuries, used in 1st to 4th century by the Romans.We visited the museum as well as this outdoor archeology site of the preserved Roman Baths.Can’t you just envision a few toga’s lounging around? How lucky for them this was on the Via Augusta!There were small rooms along the sides surrounding the main pool…cabanas?It was interesting to see the excavated Drainage System.We headed out of town to the area of Romanya de la Selva. We hiked a short ways to this Menhir de la Murta, a neolithic manmade stone that aligns with the four cardinal directions.A little further down the trail was Cova d’en Daina – a very well preserved megalith dating from around 2200 BC.This fascinating structure of rocks is actually a large burial tomb. It is a dolmen but more complete with a full circle of menhirs surrounding it.Fascinating to wonder how this was constructed.The main chamber is 25 feet long by 5.5 feet across. The circle of menhirs is 36 feet in diameter.The entry to the dolmen chamber is said to align southeast, which permits sunlight to enter at summer and winter solstice.All the stones are granite.Really wonderful to be able to walk around.Excavations found numerous human bones and teeth, arrowhead flints, knife and pottery fragments as well as some necklace beads.We retraced our steps through the cork forest – this area is sustainably harvested.And wine corks are crafted! But unfortunately we are going to have to enjoy our wine back in the USA. Like the tramontane winds, the declaration of the WHO pandemic beckons us home.
We headed north to hike the Megalithic Dolmen Route. What a view!Dolmen de la Vinya del Rey in the Alt Emporda Region. Dolmens are basically remains of megalithic tombs.Dolmen del Garrollar was another that looks partially collapsed but not by me! One of these top stone slab weighs 18 tons.Dolmen de la Talaia. These megaliths are neolithic or new stone age when these people arrived about 4500 BC from North Africa.Dolmen de les Vinyes Mortes is another prehistoric monument right at the crest of the hill.Wait – did Henry just get younger? Is this photo from 13 years ago?!!!Hey – is that the same jacket? Once you find a good travel jacket it is so hard to let go.Dolmen de Puig Margall is the last one on our 4-mile steep loop hike. Time for a short break before climbing back to the car.We followed a few more twisties up the mountain…Romanesque Monastery St Pere de Rodes was built on site of a Roman fort. Back then this was a popular start of Camino de St James.It has an unbelievable view of the Cap de Creus. This must be what if feels like to soar like an eagle.Nearby Church of Santa Helena de Rodes and the medieval village of Santa Creu de Rodes housed the pilgrims as well as workers.Are you ready to start the walk across Spain, pilgrim? Let’s storm the gate!
