last pics # 2

The approach to Toledo old town, after we've come up 5 escalators.

A Bread Tree - very interesting bakery window display

Toledo Steel swords

Ceiling in Jewish Synagogue (built by Arab tradesmen)

Original ceiling - Toledo

Leaving Toledo old town, via St Martin's Bridge.  You can see a coach in the distance.

Toledo view, from St Martin's Bridge

last pics # 1

Hi Folks.
Here are the photos from the last couple of towns I visited in Spain.

Fuengirola beach

Mijaz - UNESCO World Heritage listed "white" town

Gorgeous Wisteria at El Alhambra

Just one of many amazing doorways at El Alhambra

A cedar ceiling at El Alhambra

El Alhambra

Doorway into the Sultana's courtyard

At El Alhambra, water flows everywhere.  This is beside the stairs as you leave the gardens.

Gypsy Flamenco, in a white cave.  The young couple on the right are Marcella and Eujenio from north of Mexico City.  They spoke to me in English, on the Tour.  They were very nice young couple.

Venice or bust.

Hello all.  First Kate, I visited St. Clares Cathedral in the afternoon.  Very impressive.  Assissi was very laid back after Rome and few other places where you're constantly watching your wallet.  And Tina,  It's such a great place with the vfiews and buildings and history that you don't really notice the steps but I will say that from yhe top road to the caslte is 161 steps and when you get to the road to the castle after that, look on the left at the 4 strand wire fence.  Check the photo....people have been jamming their chewed gum on it for years and it is quite repulsive....and seen some repulsive shit in my day.
Now Venice.  First the exhorbitant prices blew me away.  I thought Rome was bad.  I decided my beer and pasta gut needed a break so I had a cheese burger, fries and a beer.  $36.00 later I nearly called the coppers cos I was getting robbed.  The hotel is nice, right on the main canal.  Jumped on a ferry yeterday arvo and did a 2 hour trip/circuit to check it out.  An bloody eye opener but also reminds me a bit of home as well.  Did the Maritime museum to kill an hour and walked out 4 hours later.  Very impressive stuff but I'm into that stuff a bit.  Walked around to the Rialto bridge thru the bloody crowds and found St. Anthonys church.  St. Marks queue was worse than Rome so didn't bother.
Will try for photos but may run out of time.  Last Blog as I fly home tomorrow.  Love to all and thanks for the comments.  I've been giggling as much as you lot hav e been enjoying them.  Lucas

The Champion of the Coloseum

Chewy fence.  Zoom in and check the old mouldy ones

Cab't beat a view like this can you

That towet on the left is what I swung off to get some pics.  The things I do.  Had to change my undies afterwards.

Rialto Bridge in Venice.  As you can see, very busy.

Rome and Assissi

Hello pernernernums.  Shaking the flu slowly and soldiering on.  For those who have been to Assissi and Positano...........shit ya gotta love steps and up and down walking.  Arrived a 1000hrs and my room wasn't ready so dumped the big bag and set off.  Went to highest point of the mountain then to the top of a turret of Castle Magiorre.  May I say the 150mt walk through the tunnel to get there, on top of the very skinny sprial starcases, were a challenge.  I was surprised how fit I was even with the flu.  But what a view.  I gripped the flag pole like a little boy grips his pecker when he gets into trouble, and did a 360 with the camera on movie mode.  Can't send you that cos this computer has no card reader.  rome day 2 and Assissi added up to 120 photos.  Did a couple of other cathedrals.  As I narrated in the 360, if I did a Hail Mary and an Our Father at every church here I'd be staying for about 12 months.  Said a few for everyone, got my hotel room after lunch on the steps of the town square then headed to St. Francis of Assissi Basillica and crypt.  Very impressive.  Never seen so many nuns and monks, and priests.  Only saw 2 beggers so I guess all the others had been 'saved.'  Not like Rome.  Absolutely majestic but as you would guess - no photos allowed in most places.  Went to the crypt and cathedral of St. Clare and Saint Torrino as well.  Went for an late arvo stroll around town looking for a beer and ended up in the bowels of some excuse for a shopping centre.  So imagine the 5 million steps had to then climb back up so I dersered that beer then.  In the main Piazza there was a junior local band playing old italian folk music so I kicked back with a pint and enjoyed the music, view and the beer.  Had a lovely lasagne and salad with half a litre of red to wash it down with a view over Umbria.  Beautiful.  Heading off on the train to Venice tomorrow so chat then and hopefully get some final snaps on this blog thing.  Love to all.  Lucas

Rome day 2.

Woke up wuth the flu today.  Felt like someone was standing on my chest.  Slept in for a few hours then tackled the Metro which was a breeze.  A station across the road that took me straight to the coloseum.  Big queues but only an hour wait this time.  Another beautiful day but a bit cool.  Overawed at the size and magnitude of the place.  And YES, you guessed it, celebration week so it was free entry to all monuments again.  Man you've gotta love that.  got a bit sunburnt yesterday so purchased a tourist hat for the last week of my travels.  Thinks it's gonna rain all week.........you wouldn't believe it would you!!!
There is a celebration to Nero going at the moment so there was a big display in the Coloseum and another at some other flash church in the ruins.  Speaking of the ruins, had a good wonder through acres of them including a look at the  senator's forum.  Was back at the hotel by 4.00pm after buying some drugs and plan to get a quick bite and stay in and beat this bloody flu thing.  Anyway on a train to Assissi in the morning.  Everytime I say that name i think of Paul and Bede - a sissy.  Make me giggle every time.  Good to hear Georgina is home safe although late.  Blog soon with some more snaps.  Love to all.  Lucas

AAHHHH Day one in Rome

Hello to all.  did the full on tourist thing in Rome today.  Planned on an early start to get to St. Peters Basilica before the crowds.  Slept in, missed the bus, when I got on it the knucklehead behind mr kept standing up (very naughty on these buses) and hitting me in the back of the head with his gut.  I nearly retaliated with mine.  Anyway, mentioned the gut assaults to him in no certain terms and then all was fine.  And yep, the bloody crowds were there before me.  2 hours in the line in the sun with no hat (lost my bloody hat somewhere about 3 cities back).  Once I got to the main gate area some bloody italians with their kids decided to push in in front of me didn't they.  Well, I mumbled something about pushing in, teaching their kids bad manners, etc and gave them a few evil stares and the mothers started to giggle at me so I pulled out my camera and started taking photos of them all.  That gave them the message and they slunk back about 5 metres behind me.  got a pat on the back by a young fella from Hungary.  But may I say, absolutely worth the wait.  Very interesting place.  Did the dead pope cemetery which covers the inside of the basilica.  Didn't bother with the sisine chapel cos the queue was the same and I was over waiting.  Anyway went walking and did the Vittorria Monument then on to Trevi Fountain (more bloody crowds) and it was a battle to get near the water but managed to throw a coin in.  Then I went on to the Pantheon (yes sneakers and Domo the Pantheon).  Very impressive place and it was a beautiful clear day as well.  Also did the temple of Adriano and the sacred area where good old Ceasar got knifed in the back by his mates.  I've got so many photos that I'm starting to confuse myself about what is what.  I've also filled a 4 gig stick and started a second.
Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the metro and go to the Coloseum and the old roman ruins.  I'll see where that takes me tomorrow.

running out of time CIAO

Lucas

Sorrento and Rome

Hello all.  Left Sorrwento this morning on the rattler to Naples.  Last night I walked to the water front near where I was staying.  Didn't know it was another cliff top and my arse was puckering big time.  Managed to steo back to a restaurant and have a cold beer and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean.  Beautiful.  This morning was a case of watch your bags for thieves and head off to Rome.  Met a couple from houston Texas on the train who'd fallen in love with Positano and wanted to return.  We shared stories of the bus rides.  got the bullet train to Rome and struck mayhem and, for the first time, lack of help and friendliness from the local coppers.  Anyway' once again I pissed off a local.  This knucklehead with a 'free inforamtion' badge approached me and offered to walk me to my accomodation for ten euro.  I said, where's the free in that old mate.  He got the shits cos I mentioned taxi so I told him he was a rip off and walked away as he gave me a gob full.  Shit I laughed as I walked away.  Got directions to the hotel which was a 5 minute walk and was pleasantly surprised with my new digs.  Did a walk to a few close places and was blown away by the Basilica for Magdeline Angelica.  This had a display on  Galileo comparing science to the church which was a good insight.  Sneakers had mentioned the church with the light that shines in and marks time and the stars etc.  Blew me away.    Found a place with, yep, you guessed it cos you've been waiting for it.....Saint Lucas.  Check the attached snaps.  Hey Sneakers, you've got a shop, I've got a bloody saint!!!!!!
I don't know what happened to my snaps but I seemed to have lost nearly all my Pompei photos.  not happy Jan.
Doing the Vatican, St. Peters etc and then hopefully the Trevi Fountain.  If I have time then Pantheon.  go Sunday as well but am staying away from the vatican for obvious reasons.  Went into the church in sorrento late yesterday for a look and mass just stared.  Stayed for mass - in italian but was able to respond in most places.  Very different but the same if youy get my drift.
I'll try some more snaps.

Amphitheatre in Taormina.  amazing place.  Another tick off the bucket list.

Mt new partner.  great help.  Can't remember her name.

Dead Scooters left to rot on the side of the killer highway at Positano.

On the beach at Positano.  Wait till I get home to show you the footage of really bad seamanship.

Watching the sunset in Sorrento.  Behind the bloke taking the photo is a sheer cliff face.

Check the sign above old mate...yep.  Saint Lucas.  Yeah baby!!!

Did I mention they have icecream in Italy.  Chocolate, Strawberry and Bannana. Deeeelicious.  The only one they didn't have was poo flavour but I did ask!!!!

Time line on the floor of the Basilica.  Even has the star signs by Galileo.

Last post from Madrid Airport

Hi Folks.  Sorry there aren't going to be any more photos till I get home.  No facilities here to read the camera card.

Well, Granada was another hot town (33 degrees) but attractive and heaps of history and the Gypsy Flamenco was quite an experience!  The gypsies live in caves on the hill opposite the Alhambra.  When the tour guide told us we were going to the gypsy caves, I instantly reacted mentally at the claustrophobic way, then started to psyche myself into it.  What an pretty place it was.  All interior and exterior walls were painted stark white, with lots of flowering planters.  The 3 caves where they hold their shows are each about 5 metres wide and 30 metres long.  Guests sit in timber and jute chairs lining the walls and you each get a drink.  I had sangria - very watered down!  There were 2 alternating groups of 3 musicians and singers and 6 females of various ages and 1 male dancers - obviously all related to each other. The 2 guys serving drinks were almost running.  There was a random Australian in our group and we both agreed that the main serving guy looked and acted exactly like Michael Flatley, but really tanned and wearing lots of eyeliner.  So full of himself!  She is a doctor at a hospital in Cambridge and was having a weekend in Spain. The dancing was wonderful and, because we were all sitting so close, we got swished with skirts and fans and almost got stamped on.  After the dancing (they got us out really quickly so the next group could get in), the next part of the evening was to be taken to a place nearby and do a guided walk through the old Arab quarter, to a lit view of the Alhambra, then back to the hotel. 

This was the worst bed yet.  Like lying on a piece of masonite suspended between something to give it a little bounce.  They had used lots of bleach based chemicals to clean the bathroom and floors and I have to ask them to wash it all down, as I was getting asthma.  What didn´t help either was a coach load of Italian high schoolers and 2 coach loads of French primary schoolers staying at the hotels.  The high schoolers blocked the entry, while they all smoked and the primary schoolers were screaming through the corridors!

Yesterday we changed our passengers, as some were going in different directions and we gained so many people that nobody could have a seat to themself.  The coach wasn´t very spacious anyway and, of course, I got the very small Costa Rican woman who thought that she would sit in front of me and put her seat all the way back, for the whole day.  It was very uncomfortable, trying not to squash the lovely Ecuadorean woman beside me - bruised knees again after 4 hours of it!

We stopped in Toledo and did a guided tour of the old town inside the walls.  There are 5 escalators from the bus parking to get inside the walls and they are all well covered, to keep out the summer sun.  Our guide Fernando was quite a card and, at 78, is doing a wonderful job of promoting his city.  1.5 hrs of walking up and down, but hardly noticeable, as it was so interesting.  They then took us to the factory where they make the jewellery with Toledo steel and gold and platinum inlay, with, naturally, several opportunites to buy!!

Got back to Madrid about 7.30 pm and collapsed in my bed for about an hour.  Such a relief to lie down ( and yes the bed was hard).  Slowly sorted myself out this morning then taxied to the airport at 120 kph!

I'll see you on Sunday, then back to work Monday. 

Adios from Spain and thanks for sharing the journey!!!

Pompei and Sorrento.

Hello all. As you said Emmaline, Pompie was amazing and I was there for 5 hours.  Got there to pay and just like the amphitheatre in Taormina, it too was FREE today.  I was blown away by the size of the place and it took me a while to notice the bloody great volcano hovering off in the distance.  Got an audio thingamebob which gave excellent narration and covered everything I was interested in and more.  The train system between Sorrento and Naples is privately owned therefore makes the Logan Inala line look like first class.  I've got over qan hour of the old bone rattler tomorrow.  Like I said yesterday, lucky the train track nearly comes through my window so I don't have far to walk to the station.  returned to Sorrento after Pompei and was greatly pleased to find a beautiful city away from the grotty train station that greeted me yesterday.  I've finally found a computer that downloads photos so some attached.  There are great cafes and restaurants as well as amazingly narrow streets to wander throgugh and suck p the atmosphere.  Check the snaps.  Talk from Rome.  Love to all.  Lucas.
PS: haven't pissed anyone today yet.

 

This is the main beach at Barcelona.  Packed but too cold to swim.

 

 

The Opera House in Palermo.  Takes up a whole block.

 The old gates to the city at the port in Palermo.  Note the aquaduct next to it.  Older Roman walls are dated back to the Phoenicians and 2500BC.

 

Another section of the old city wall in Palermo.  In suburbia and about 600 y/o.

Positano to Salerno.

Taormina to Positano was a 6 hour train ride in a first class cabin.  Again all to myself until I was jammed into the corner as the rest of the seats were filled up with B.O. ridden locals.  Watched a movie (thanks Lany) after admiring the scenery flashing by.  It's a bit hard to focus on when you're doing 160kph.  Anyway I got to Salerno late and missed the last ferry to Positano.  I went into the local police station and saw numerous International Police Association certificates on the wall which was a relief.  The only copper on duty could speak no English nor could he understand my 'fluent' italian, so he took across to the information centre nearby.  He was on of the most helpful coppers I'd come across.  Took me to where I but my ticket and told them what I needed.  Then walked me to my bus stop.  As I left, there he was, standing out the front of his station making sure I got the right bus, giving me a big wave and a smile.  Now for the bus trip from hell.  Silly me sat on the curb side.  Up we go on the narrowest road along sheer cliffs.  Tooting at every corner...and yes, you guessed it; along comes another bus.  So he reverses into nothingness to let the other one through.  One hour and I aged about 20 years I reckon.  Couldn't get off the bastard quick enough.  BUT it gets better.  Positano to Sorrento today was more of the same but it was raining with WET SLIPPERY roads and higher cliffs.  I feel it now just typing about it.  Simon would have gone to his grave.  My first image of Sorrento reminded my of Palermo but with cleaner streets.  Everyone was obviously having a siesta when I arrived and yep.......another shitpit hotel just below the overhead railway line.  Oh, and the pool in the brochure, is empty which is the view from my 'balcony.' Look down to an empty pool or up to the railway lines.  The double bunk bed is older than the one I was in as a boy, and the single bed has more lumps than Rocky Balboa.  Off to Pompeii tomorrow and really looking forward to it.  I should get half a day in there and then I want to have a good look around Sorrento tomorrow cos I'm living in the burbs.  Love to all.  Here are some old photos.  Again no card reader.  Lucas.

El Alhambra, Granada

As most of you know, I´ve been busting to see the Alhambra and today I did.

We left Fuengirola at 7.30 am, crossing from small mountains towards the Sierra Nevada  mountains.  There is still snow at just under 4000 feet and people are still skiing.  The Alhambra is the place most visited by tourists, in Spain.  It´s very organised and timetabled, with tickets you must not lose or you cannot proceed.  UNESCO runs it, not the Spanish government.  You have seen documentaries about it, I'm sure.  First we go through the gardens and pavilions then to the 3 other buildings.  Most of the Arabic designs are still quite obvious, with the Christian touches dating from the 15th century.  It would have been amazingly colourful in it´s day, like most of these old buildings in Europe.

This lobby computer doesn't read camera card . . . .

We are now in Granada, resting before our buffet dinner, then on to the Gypsy Flamenco!

2 more sleeps in Spain before I start my journey home!!!!!

Ronda, Marbella, Mijaz & Fuengirola

Quite a mouthful, some of these Spanish names!

We left Seville at 8.00 am and travelled to Ronda, where we spent about 1.5 hours, then on to the Costa del Sol (Sunny Coast!).   From Seville we had taken a more mountainous route to get to the coast and that whole drive is World Heritage listed by UNESCO, including the little white villages tucked into the folds of the hills.  Ronda was a place I definitely wanted to see and I wasn't disappointed.  The town is cut in half by a really deep gorge, so the photos are amazing. 

On to the Coast!  The Guide obviously wanted to give us a complete picture of this area, because she took us to the Port of Marbella, the little white village of Mijaz, in the hills, then we stayed at Fuengirola, right on the Mediterranean.  Marbella is where Sean Connery, Julio Iglesias and other famous people live, though I didn't see any of them, just a few Russian Mafia types.  I did see a Ferrari, a Lambourghini, several different sized Mercedes & BMWs and many € worth of ocean going craft, right there while I sat and had my lunch!

The drive to Mijaz was certainly the scenic route on the forward journey.  I'm glad it wasn't me driving!  It was like the hairpin bends and narrow roads going to somewhere like Springbrook, times 10, with oncoming traffic!  What a pretty place!  It´s a shame you have to walk past a line (150 metres!) of donkey taxis, to get where you are going.  They are a gimmick for kids, but my God, THEY STINK!!!!  This is a really old, traditional town, once you get past the tourist stuff.  I loved the Bull Ring, with statues of matadors out the front and a statue of El Toro at the back.  It's hilly like a lot of Italian towns, so the legs got a workout.  There is alos a grotto where Our Lady is supposed to have appeared to some children, so that's quite elaborate.

On, down a much more reasonable road, to the beach.   It was lovely to watch the water and breathe the salt air.  That´s where I found an internet cafe which would read my camera card and so I could sent you the previous pictures.

Next, Granada.

and more!!!

Finale of Flamenco Classico

Plaza Espana, Seville.  This is about 1/3 of it!!

A Roman wall aqueduct outlet

Just a bench in a park!!

Above the entry door of the Arabic house in Seville that is used for state visitors and has christian stuff in it now.

Inside

We´re excited here because we can see that tiles have progressed from mosaics to these.

The fountain wall

Macarena.  Our Lady of Hope.  This gets carried through the streets in Holy Week.  The men climbing on it are onstalling the silver candlesticks.  When they carry it, the men cannot be seen underneath, but they can see out of the elaborate area just under the floor that the statue sits on.

Seville had World Expo in 1992.  This bridge was their symbol.

more out of order photos

Lots of solar farms south of Madrid. I noticed lots of wind farms north of Madrid.

Roman ruins right in the centre or Cordoba

Through the gate of a private residence, in Cordoba

These orange trees are street ornament, because they are so bitter.  The fruit is also exported to UK for marmalade.

Really thick sisal mats rolled up at windows.

Over 1000 years old pieces of the original roof of the old mosque in Cordoba, which is now a catholic cathedral.

The courtyard of the old mosque.  There are drains from tree to tree, so no water got wasted.

Inside the mosque which became a cathedral.  About 10% of the pillars have been removed.  My camera died here, so you´ll have to google it!

Ceiling in one of the catholic parts.