1. Vacation Travel • Поездки

Spain (09.2011)

Two weeks in Spain - certainly not enough to take in or absorb all there is to see in the four cities we visited - Madrid, Alicante, Valencia & Barcelona with a day trip to Toledo. As always, we did too much, though our beach break in Alicante helped. It's easy to understand why Europeans love to vacation in Spain - fabulous weather, varied landscapes, history, culture & style.

Such striking architecture from the Medieval to the contemporary. Oh those Spanish masters - artists & architects - with their indelible contributions to civilization. Oh that sweeping history from the Romans to the great empire; and, yes, its tainted past filled with dictators & despots leading to the Inquisition, colonial cruelty, & the Civil War.

Spaniards certainly haven't lost their lust for life despite teetering on the edge of default. Their cities seem to never sleep with hordes of Spaniards & tourists wining & dining, and walking & talking until the wee hours of the morning. Glad we weren't there in high season as the crowds were a bit overwhelming even into early October. Each of the cities we visited could use another go-round, but of course, there are so many other Spanish cities to explore...

I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills, Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain... "Beauty" ~ John Edward Masefield
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We spent a long time watching these beautiful, expressive Beluga Whales. The swim quickly, so not easy to get a good shot.
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We spent a long time watching these beautiful, expressive Beluga Whales. The swim quickly, so not easy to get a good shot.

ИспанияSpainEspañarusurusu photographyValenciaВаленсияCity of Arts SciencesCiutat de les Arts i les CiènciesCiudad de las Artes y las Cienciasbeluga whaleOceanogràfic complex

  • Heron at the Oceanogràfic complex in Valencia's City of Arts & Sciences.
  • Green Heron at the Oceanogràfic complex.
  • Bird at the Oceanogràfic complex.
  • Scarlet Heron at the Oceanogràfic complex in Valencia's City of Arts & Sciences.
  • Engrossed in looking at the fish.
  • Toys for sale at Bird at the Oceanogràfic complex in Valencia's City of Arts & Sciences.
  • We spent a long time watching these beautiful, expressive Beluga Whales. The swim quickly, so not easy to get a good shot.
  • The Penguin exhibit behind glass with falling snow.
  • A smart sea lion knows who to kiss up to.
  • Mind your Ps & Qs!
  • Blissfully unaware.
  • Scout leader.
  • Someone's not happy.
  • Another building in the Oceanogràfic complex contains this tunnel aquarium.
  • Yellow fish in the aquarium.
  • Dolphin performance at the Oceanogràfic complex.
  • Beautiful colors as the sun sets on the water pool in front of the Science Museum at Valencia's City of Arts & Sciences.
  • Lucky us - there's a Paella Festival on the grounds of the City of Arts & Sciences. Paella originated here.
  • Portrait in paella. Valencia Paella Festival. (09.2011)
  • A big batch of chicken. But, by the time we figured out how to buy tickets to purchase food from the sellers, this was gone.
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