June 20, 2018

June 20, 2018

Exploring Valencia

Today was a day when there was a bit of further exploration of the centre of Valencia, as well as helping our friends to pack for the setting up of their beach house.

This morning after breakfast I took the local bus to get to the city, a short 10 minutes ride – to visit the city’s central market. Information in the market walls indicates that the idea for this – Mercat Central – was first developed in 1839. The present market was completed in 1928. It has an art nouveau style. It is one of the largest food markets in Europe. Pedro was telling me earlier today, that there is quite a bit of disquiet about the number of tourists attending the market over the last few years. It would seem that many tourists walk around the market, take photos and videos, but rarely buy any products from the market’s stands.

So on my visit to the market this morning, I ensured that apart from taking photos, I also bought items from the stands. This place is massive, clearly is a place where many local residents as well as tourists enjoy visiting as well as purchasing the grade variety of produce- including ecological products- as well as a terrific variety of jamón, prosciutto, from the 4 corners of Spain.

I enjoyed walking through the many plazas in this city as well as visiting a few churches. As mentioned in yesterday’s blog, Valencia is a city with vitality and a clear commitment to its arts and sciences. There is an area known as the -Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, which was designed by a local architect, named Calatrava. Pedro and Silvia have indicated that there has been a lot of controversy about these buildings- due there size and cost. Nevertheless they seem to me beautifully designed, in a very striking sort of way.

As Pedro was going to prepare lunch for us today, a fish dish, I took the opportunity to visit a vinacoteca next to the central market. The wine maker recommended a local white wine. Of course I couldn’t leave the market without buy a baguette and also croissants.

Lunch was great, and gave us more energy for the packing, which we did after the siesta.

Late in the afternoon, Silvia invited me to visit the port area of Valencia. Afterwards, whilst she visited her dentist, I watched Uruguay win the fútbol match against Saudi Arabia.

Just before dinner we went out to drink orchata. This is a drink made from a tiger nuts, it is found mainly in Valencia, and only available in summer.

We ended today by having dinner at home – a pumpkin soup and tortilla made from eggplants and eggs, prepared by Pedro; whilst watching the Spain and Iran fútbol match. Great game with the final score in Spain’s favour.

Tomorrow we will go to the beach house, in Javea, about 1 hour from here by bus.

June 20, 2018

Travelling from Córdoba in Spain to Valencia

Spain, Travel, Valencia

In spite of the high temperatures experienced in Cordoba over the last couple of days, were really sad to be leaving this charming city this morning. On the way to the train station we heard a great story about transport and politics from a local taxi driver. The story relates to the positive contribution that h fast train has made to Cordoba and a number of other Spanish cities. However it is not always like this. He made reference to the situation in Granada, the place where the Alhambra is located. Some years ago a number of local politicians lobbied the central government for the fast train to go via Granada. A few years later this was approved and constructed. The deal was that the state government was to build the special station required for this type of train. By then a new government was elected and their political platform did not include a train station. So we have the fas train passing close to Granada, but not able to enter the city or stop as there is no train station. The closest station is 60 kms away. Funny story but true.

Our train on route to the third largest Spanish city of Valencia would take us about 6 hours today. The journey proved to be very pleasant, as on these trains one can move around and also visit its cafeteria and dining room. The train travelled through similar territory as the meseta up north, an area once covered by us on our Camino Frances. Large areas of orange and olives trees are found in this part of southern Spain. The Valencia oranges, as the name implies, originates from this area.

Pam and I had stayed in Valencia in 2015, and I have fond memories of this place from then. Once again our friends Pedro and Silvia- are hosting me whilst here in Valencia. On our arrival in this city at around 4 pm, the temperature here was a pleasant 26 degrees. We took a local bus for short ride to reach Pedro’s house.

Last time Pam and I were here, Sílvia and Pedro’s apartment was not yet finished. Today this place looks great, they have transformed this place into a lovely home that together with Sílvia’s home decorating and hosting skills make this a very welcoming house.

After having something to eat, I help Pedro and Silvia pack – as they are setting up a beach house, which they have recently renovated. Later in the afternoon- evening-, we decide to stroll to the city, via the old river bed. Valencia had a river, the Turia, which used to go through the city, similar to the Yarra river in Melbourne. The issue was that it used to regularly flood the area around the city. In the 50s the local government decided to change is course, so now the old river bed is now a great park, with both bicycle and jogging paths. This evening many people are making used of this area, including some groups having picnics. This area is referred as the Turia gardens.

There are also many great buildings around this area. I have included some photos in today’s blog, which this area.

We saw a number of great buildings, during this stroll, including Valencia’s cathedral, which similarly to Cordoba’s was built over a mosque after the 1238 reconquest. Its architectural style is mostly Gothic, with neoclassical side chapels. It has a museum, with rich Italianate frescoes above the altarpiece, and some paintings by Goya in the Capilla de San Francisco de Borja.

We also went pass the building housing the government of the regional government of Valencia. As we were passing the president was coming out of the building, and we had a short chat with him. A very interesting and very casual event.

Afterwards we went to a restaurant which used to be a cinema. One of the interesting facts about this place are its bathrooms. They look like the changing rooms of a theatre. I have included some photos here.
It is 11.30 pm before we start heading home, and this city is full of people either having dinner or strolling around the place. A very European thing, according to Pedro and Silvia.

Whilst Silvia and Pedro will tomorrow continue to pack for their trip to the beach house I will go to the Valencia market and see other interesting places around the city.

June 20, 2018

19-Jun-2018:: Exploring Lake Garda Day 2

After breakfast, we once again headed into the old historic centre of Sirmione. The castle was closed yesterday so we determined to see it today. It looks huge from the outside and even bigger from within. Construction was first begun in 1277, but it has had various refurbishments and make overs through the centuries, due to various reasons – wars, fires, upgrades etc. There are many interesting facts about the history of this place, but one that sticks in my mind is that in certain areas, they used substandard masonry to build it and the used plaster on the outside walls to give approaching prospective attackers the impression that this was a very solid, impenetrable structure. The Castle towers provided some great views of Sirmione, old and new, and the surrounding landscape. From here you can get a very clear understanding of the shape and size of the promontary of Sirmione city and its surrounding coastline.

A tad more browsing through the old city of places we had not seen previously and then it was back to our hotel to pick up the car and head out for more adventures.

We ventured north on lake Garda on the western flank to a place called Limone Sul Garda, about 75kms away from our hotel. The drive was again mostly on lake side road, so the interest level was fairly high, one might say. We went through scores of tunnels gouged into the rock lining the coast; some of the road was actually constructed in man made tunnels, so as to mitigate any rock fall issues. The town itself had a particular feel all of its own, like most of the lakeside towns we have visited over the last 10 days. I’m guessing this comes about due to a number of factors, such as geographic location, landscape, times of settlement and by whom, principal industries, weather, and so on. In the case of Limone Sul Garda, I suspect the topography had a lot to do with establishment of the old city, as it’s all clustered around a port area, but opposite the coast side, there is almost a sheer, high rock cliff which provides a physical boundary to the area. In the historic centre you find the usual collection of souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and many arts and crafts and local produce stores. The lemon seems to be a popular local product around here (hence the name) as you’ll find many items for sale, comprising some sort of lemon input. Limoncello abounds here, as does lemon scented soap, lemon sweets, lemon fragrant saches, lemon biscuits etc.
We spent a few hours there, had a drink at a cool lakeside bar and then headed back to Sirmione and our hotel for dinner.