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Published: October 14th 2022
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Today us our last sightseeing day, we’re in the morning flight home tomorrow.
We don’t get up early as we could not secure tickets for the cathedral until 11.20am. I expect it will be thronging but it can’t be helped! A leisurely breakfast in the kitchen where I meet a couple of Danish people who arrived last night. they also had difficulty working out how to gain access to the building…so it wasn’t just us then! they are on their way to Marbella (can’t think of anything worse?).
We set off and find ourselves at the cathedral an hour early. Unlike the Alcazaba there are strict queues so there will be no sneaking in early. We go for a wander around the shady streets of the Santa Cruz area. Ian is amusing himself mocking the tour guide sticks and giving them names. There is the ‘lurid hanky on a stick’, the ‘tassle stick’ and the ‘mini lollipop lady’.
We head for the cathedral queues. It’s very well thought out. There are different queues for different time slots so we take our place in the 1110-1120 line which is, thankfully, in the shade. I am standing behind a very
well dressed lady sporting gorgeous ear rings. I’d like to tell her they are very nice but she may think I’m some kind or weirdo! Pretending to take pictures of the tower, I take a sneaky snap…OK I am a weirdo!
Each line is clearly labelled and states its fir online booking. The guy controlling the queues us constantly sending people to different places. Seriously, can’t they read? Gives us a few laughs thus relieving the boredom of waiting. :-)
At 11.10am exactly our line is opened up…we are to visit the Geraldo Tower first at 11.20am. Ian is fussing that it’s not 11.20am yet…honestly, there is no one checking!
The tower is accessed via a four sided sloping walkway which are numbered on every fourth corner - there are 38 in total. Despite being a ramp, pushchairs and wheelchairs (and anyone with vertigo - I don’t tell them I do), is prohibited from the tower. In fact it’s an easy walk up - not too crowded and plenty of places to stop fir photo opportunities and a breather in the way up there.
Only the last few metres consist of steps and then we are
on the top. There are very high sides and its impossible to see over the edge without stepping up on to the viewing niches.
Bong, bong…I jump with fright as the huge bells above let us know that its half past the hour!
There are fabulous views all over the city and I take my time waiting for niches to be vacated so that I can photograph from all angles. I get talking to a young Spanish couple in one of the niches. They tell me that the thing I can see in the far distance that looks like a suspension bridge was built for the Expo in 1992.
Now to descend to the inner cathedral. It takes no time to get back down and we’ve managed to avoid the noon ear bashing from the bells.
The Cathedral interior is very grand with lots of gaudy gold as well as stained glass windows, intricate carving and the rather grand tomb of Christopher Columbus.
Todays ticket includes a free entry to the El Salvador Church…hmmm, I wonder if it will be open? Anyway, its on our way back so we’ll give it a go!
The
church is easily located and we are allowed ‘skip the line’ entry. Its another very ornate place with showy gild alter pieces but it has a very peaceful atmosphere with soft music playing in the background.
OK, that’s us done for the morning…time for some lunch and then pack our suitcases once we’ve cooled down!
Its 7pm and we’re as sorted as we can be. Time to go out for a final evening stroll. We get as far as the mushrooms which is looking very yellow in the setting sun. The streets and bars are heaving…well I suppose it is Friday night. As usual we can buy a drink but it’s too early for food. I must say I’ll be glad to get back to our usual eating pattern! It is especially humid tonight too!
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