Ancient palaces, Alhambra & Alcazeba

Our next tour took us to Granada to visit the Alhambra - a medieval palace built in the 1300's by Nasrid sultans ( Arabic Muslims). Decorated with intricate patterns of wood, ceramics, plaster & calligraphy, but no images as that is forbidden by the Quran. Breathtaking, carved wooden ceilings, stalactites of plaster, indoor fountains & "streams". Access is very controlled to prevent too many people inside at any time, they checked our tickets 4 separate times, it was definitely a "bucket list item" for me.

We also toured the old centre of Granada thru squares & to the cathedral. And of course "free time for shopping"!

We have been spending time with other Canadians from our group, happy hours, suppers & a very enjoyable Sunday roast dinner at an English restaurant, complete with 5 kinds of roast meat & banofee pie for dessert! We are a bit lonely now as the group went home Wednesday, leaving us to our own devices for another week. We have taken the local buses to visit surrounding towns - Mijas up in the mountains ( we both purchased lovely leather jackets there), Fuengirola to the huge weekly market ( of course we found a few things that we "needed" and to the city of Malaga. In Malaga we visited the Alcazaba, another Moor (Arabic Muslim) palace, constructed in the 11th century. Not as ornate as the Alhambra but we enjoyed it more as they also have many artifacts from the period on display. We were lucky to see a group of flamenco dancers having photos done - of course we took as few as well. Next to the palace are the remains of an ancient Roman theatre, pretty cool! Up a very long hill from the palace we toured the Castillo de Gibralfaro, constructed in the 14th century to protect the palace. Malaga bullring looks quite out of place in the city! In Malaga we enjoyed the best meal yet at La Tortuga bar, mixed tapas & local beers.

Of course we still lounge in the sun, catching up on some reading & people watching.

Tomorrow we are off to Nerja where my Norwegian brother Olav & his wife May will be vacationing. Time for a quick visit before we start the "fun" job of packing. Definitely enjoying ourselves!