Spain: Part 2 of 3

Picking up where we left off.....on Monday we left Barcelona (scroll down for recap) and took the train south along the coast to Alicante, which was a perfect 2-day destination. There was enough but not too much to do, which was a nice change of pace from Barcelona and Madrid (where we headed next). When we arrived it was already dark, but we were still able to appreciate our view. Check this out, castle-fortress on the cliff to the left, beach and Mediterranean Sea in the middle, marina to the right.

(You really do have to click on this one!)

Day 6: Tuesday 5/12

The view in the morning; a fabulous way to start the day.Unfortunately, when we were trying to check in late on Monday night a series of events resulted

in leaving Austin's suitcase in the hallway. We didn't realize this until the next morning, at which point it was no longer there. Fortunately, the only thing in it was Austin's clothing. Unfortunately, it was all of the clothing he needed for the next 7 days of our trip. So Tuesday morning we spent looking throughout the hotel, in dumpsters around the hotel, and watching video surveillance. We were pretty sure it was still somewhere in the building, but until it turned up there wasn't anything to be done so we headed out for the day.

The Mediterranean, beach, palm trees, and Alicante's version of La Rambla (bottom right). The picture on the top right shows some sailboats on the horizon, which was the Med Cup race that was going on while we were there.

We went up to the top of the castle-fortress of Castillo de San Barbara which has sections that date back to the 9th-16th Century. Yeah it was kinda pretty.

More views within the grounds, down to the sea, and around town (notice the bull ring--top row, second from right).

Overlooking the town from the top of the castle, Austin spotted an Alcampo store which he knew was the closest Super Wal-Mart equivalent that exists in Spain. But that section of town was off our map, so we were trying to plot our course from atop the castle as we looked down on the streets. We got it right and walked there in about 15 minutes. We got Austin some clothing and picked up some groceries.

Upon returning to the hotel, we found out that a guest had turned the suitcase back in. This was a huge relief, although the full story is still not entirely clear. The guy said he got in late the night before, saw the bag in the hall, wanted to keep it safe and so brought it into his room (he's obviously never watched Locked Up Abroad). Then the next morning he slept until 1 PM, at which point he brought it down to the front desk. Not sure about some of that, and surely there was some alcohol involved, but in any case everything was there.

Our spirits increased significantly and we headed out again and enjoyed walking on the beach, wading in the water, and walking around the marina that evening. There were some absolutely gorgeous sailboats.

Day 7: Wednesday 5/13

This morning we walked around town. First stop, San Maria. The altar area was something else (and entirely consistent with others we saw). The bell wheel (top right) was also a consistent element of cathedrals. It was really hard not to pull the rope.

Second stop, San Nicolás de Bari. Most of it was built in the early 1600s, over a pre-existing mosque. Every cathedral we went into in Barcelona, Alicante, and Madrid has installed the latest technology: electric votive candles. And the sign telling you to pay in Euros not Pesetas is an equally nice touch.

You can tell Austin had recovered from the previous day's drama. If you know him, you'll get the joke of him posing with the coupon sign on the top right.

Next we went to the market and got some fantastic sweet cherries, and returned Austin’s clothing that we no longer needed. There is a hysterical story about trying to return the undies he had bought the day before that you really need to have him tell you sometime.

After our last walk on the beach, Austin tackled what we dubbed a Spainwich. We'd pick up some fresh bread, hamon serrano and cheese, and make our own bocadillo. We ate more than a few of these.

That evening we left Alicante and took a train to Madrid--which will be Part 3!