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Today was to be special: we would head inland from the Costa del Sol to visit Granada and the legendary Ahlambra. Every guidebook had stressed how unforgettable this ancient monument is, so we set off with high hopes. Once we left the coast the landscape was huge: olive groves as far as the eye could see, set against a backdrop of stunning mountains with huge peaks eroded down to bare rock. Everything about it felt old and sure of itself! A bit like us really...
We cruised along on a great road and finally Granada hove into view, high enough that snow was on the mountain tops not far away. Now for the simple task of finding the Ahlambra...Unfortunately a good number of major streets were dug up for the laying of new tramlines, so navigation was hit and miss, even with the help of a useful signpost or two. Eventually sheer determination and a lucky glimpse of our goal up on a hill resulted in us heading in the right direction. A handy underground car park was quickly found, we shouldered our bags and strode off – direction Ahlambra! Now, somehow that glimpse of the Ahlambra was not to be
repeated but we walked along streets towards the hill, seeing the occasional sign to reassure us on our journey. About now we were beginning to think maybe a bus up the hill looming before us would be a good move, but investigation of this option didn’t fill us with hope. Anyway, we’re Kiwis and know how to have a go, so onwards and upwards we went. We need to say at this point that we had been unable to book tickets online to visit the Ahlambra, so were hoping to get lucky when we arrived. And arrive we did – after over an hour of good exercise we puffed up to the ticket machine and whoopee it obliged with two tickets.
Our impressions of the Ahlambra? First, the immaculate shady gardens with hedged beds of roses and wonderful views through archways to the buildings of the fortified palace and out over the town itself. Here we recovered from our exertions just soaking up the atmosphere. On we went into the castle itself and finally were admitted to the Palacio Nazaries, the centrepiece of the Ahlambra. Here, each corner, archway or room revealed exquisite Moorish detail that was simply breathtaking. Elaborately
patterned tiles and stone carved into patterns so delicate it looked like something you could eat! Every possible space in the cool airy buildings was beautified in this way and we were left amazed and delighted. What a place. Worth every bit of the effort involved, it will be in our memories for good.
Now to return down the hill to the car. Well, we got lucky this time and hopped on a passing bus, so permanent damage to feet and joints was avoided and we left Granada in good spirits, zipping along past the olive groves etc, stopping briefly for a quick meal at a roadside eatery and arriving back at our Fuengirola apartment in time for a celebratory/recovery beer at the end of the evening.
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