Lots and lots of pretty arches

---

Although we were happy to spend another week stuffing ourselves with tapas underneath the orange blossoms in Seville, there was more Andalucian glory to explore a short day trip train ride away in Cordoba.

Both Seville and Cordoba are overrun with tourists, however Seville somehow carries it off with class whereas Cordoba felt a little claustrophobic and a little cheap. Maybe it's because the old town in Cordoba is not as big as Seville's. The old town in Seville is also better laid out and more spacious - particularly the area around the cathedral.

Yet the Cordoba cathedral is a marvel in itself.
Lots and lots and lots of pretty arches.

In case you feel that we have skimped on the arch photos, there are plenty more to send if you are an arch-itectural geek (ha ha).

Like other churches in Spain, the Cordoba cathedral used to be a grand mosque and has a strange fusion of archictecture to accommodate the historical change in function. I personally prefer the Islamic architectural elements in the Cordoba cathedral, but the arches remain the distinguishing and most beautiful feature.

The Cordoba Alcazar (palace) and gardens were also very pretty. I'm not so sure the palace was grand enough for royalty, but the gardens were substantial and apparently some of the best in Andalucia.
I was amazed to see gum trees in the manicured gardens - no koalas though.

A friendly man offered to take our photo in the gardens, but unfortunately the photo didn't work out because he cut off our heads!
A kind offer, but he needs to take photography lessons first (he was a bit daunted by my digital camera).

We could tell that Cordoba was quite touristy when we arrived at lunch to find our menu translated in 5 different languages. However I am not sure what translation dictionary caused them to be serving "fried big holes" for lunch. (For those times when you are just not that hungry but want something a little more substantial than nothing. Mmmmm those holes!)

For those that are interested, we figured out from the Spanish menu that ordering "holes" will get you a plate of anchovies!

---