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Published: June 13th 2017
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Geo: 37.1765, -3.59793
Help Me, Ronda
DAY TEN
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
We were sorry to learn this morning that we have had one couple on our trip return home. John and Carol Diehl from St. Louis flew back to the US this morning. There has been a virus moving around the coach; perhaps a third of the people have been taken ill, each for a period of 24 hours. But I'm told John was running a fever and feeling quite ill. Sorry for them and sorry for us. They were a welcome addition.
From Marbella, we headed to the cliff-top city of Ronda, population 40,000. Our guide was Pepe, head of the tour group Tauck uses in Ronda; in fact, he wrote a guidebook on visiting the area. Set high on a plateau divided by the Tajo Gorge, Ronda offers incredible vistas from every vantage point. Ronda's 18th century 'new' bridge straddles a 328-foot chasm below.
Ronda was a favorite of both Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway. In fact, Orson Welles' ashes are buried nearby. And the scene in Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls", describing the 1936 execution of Fascist sympathizers who are thrown off a cliff, was modeled on actual events in Ronda.
Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, a style of bullfighting in which matadors stand their ground against the bull on foot. We visited Plaza de Toros (Spain's oldest bull fighting ring) and its museum.
We learned about the area's heritage and its architecture (both Moorish and Roman). We visited a lavish home called Casa de Bosco, which belonged to one of Ronda's wealthy families and was then donated to the Salesian Order of Don Bosco. It was declared a historic monument in 1931; it is now a retreat and retirement home for teachers/priests.
At one time, Ronda was one of Spain's most popular resort areas. It's not on the sea but was popular in summer because the weather was so pleasant. Marbella was developed in the 60s. The Spaniards didn't take it seriously as a resort for a long time, but long ago, it overtook Ronda in popularity.
I lost Patrick for a while. He claims he wasn't lost; he knew where he was … sitting in the shade on a bench in the town square. But he failed to show up at the bull ring so I took only a few photos and went in search for
him. He was oblivious to the fact that I was upset because I didn't know where he was. And the local guide was upset too as he didn't know where two of participants were. Barcy was the other culprit. Geez.
Lunch was at a local hotel, Paradore de Ronda. The salad was incredibly colorful. Of the choice of four main courses, I ordered the ox-tail stew cooked in cloves and red wine. Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was interesting and tasty. Think I will always remember it as a dish I had in Spain.
After lunch we took a ride through Malaga and Granada provinces, through agricultural countryside. There were many, many olive farms, some almond, along with fields of asparagus, garlic and onion.
We arrived late afternoon in Granada, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Our hotel is the famous Moorish Alhambra Palace Hotel, adjacent to The Alhambra (Al-HOM-BRA). Built in 1910, the hotel's famous guests have included King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain, the Aga Khan, Duke of Windsor and Prince of Wales, Charles de Gaulle, Mikhail Gorbachev, Cole Porter, Placido Domingo, Laurence Olivier, Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Brad Pitt, Dalai Lama,
Stephen Hawking and more.
We enjoyed a flamenco show in the hotel prior to dinner and enjoyed in a room in the hotel offering views out over the city of Granada. Sun sets late here (almost 8 pm) so we enjoyed both the view of sunset and the twinkling lights of the city. Once again we had three courses – way too much food going on here.
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trish1117
non-member comment
Thank you for these wonderful and informative event you all have been having. Your should be thankful you are not in Florida Big storm approaching the east coast with a Cat 4. Thousands have been advised to leave the coastal areas. Have
a wonderful time on the remaining days you are there. Love the photos.