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Published: June 13th 2017
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Geo: 37.1765, -3.59793
Seeing Red
DAY ELEVEN
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Today was the highlight of our sightseeing-laden Tauck itinerary in Spain. We visited The Alhambra (Al-HOM-bra), famed Moorish palace constructed in the 13th century to be "paradise on Earth". The Palace and grounds are breathtaking. I can't imagine the Taj Mahal being more impressive.
The translation of Alhambra literally is "the red one", constructed from clay. Only the Generalife, the Sultans summer palace, is white.
The Alhambra was originally constructed as a fortress in AD 889 on the remains of Roman fortifications, and rebuilt in the mid-13th century by a Moorish emir. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. After the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition) and the palaces were partially altered to Renaissance tastes. After falling into disrepair for centuries, the Alhambra was rediscovered following the defeat of Napoleon. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Besides the palaces, we visited Generalife, made up of pathways, patios, pools, fountains, tall trees and flowers of every imaginable hue. After the garden tour, we went back to the Paramores de Throne Room where Queen Isabella met Columbus
Christopher Columbus received Queen Isabella's approval for his New World adventure in this room. Granada for a lovely lunch outdoors. Lots of variations of grilled ham and cheese were the picks … a welcome light lunch after many heavy meals. We sat on the patio and visited with Aussies Susan and Randel Dennings, and discussed politics, world wars and other interesting “heavy” topics. We stopped in at the Museum of Alhambra and its gift shop. Anne got earrings; I got a Christmas ornament (see photos).
We then checked out the gift shop just outside the hotel, which sells the high end versions of products in town. Wooden boxes, decorated in the style of Alhambra tiles, are all cedar; while the ones in town offer just a felt lining. Anne and Barcy both bought gifts.
After a chance to put our feet up, Patrick and I walked down into town. We wandered in adn out of a few shops, took pictures of some pretty buildings along the main drag, then had some ice cream before heading back up to the hotel.
We had dinner at Carmen de San Miguel Restaurant, near the hotel. We dined with John and Terry Leopold (Centennial, CO) and Bob and Marjorie Kuehnau (Elk Grove, IL). Bob and I split the paella, a great
choice. We dined on the restaurant balcony and got to watch a beautiful sunset shortly after 8 pm.
NOTE: There have been many, many places this trip that had bathrooms with no TP and/or didn't flush. If you're traveling here, be sure and bring your own toilet paper.
As I write this, Hurricane Matthew is bearing down on our home state of Florida. The storm has been upgraded to a category 4 and is headed to the central area of the East coast. Our side is expected to get some rain and some wind. We pray for the safety of all those impacted; and we pray for the 100s of folks who already lost their lives as the storm built up steam over three Caribbean islands.
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Wainio, Monica
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beautiful pics...thanks!!