Cascades,Castles,Cocktails, and Conversation

April 26, 2013

Spanish weather is interesting. One moment blue skies and sun shine with temperatures around 19ºC (67ºF) moments later temperatures drop, the wind picks up as if a hurricane is near, rain clouds roll in and it becomes an uncomfortable 10ºC (50ºF). For days now we have watched the rain clouds circle the surrounding mountains, like warriors waiting for the perfect time to attack. Today the rain clouds decided to storm the beach and settle in for a few days. Spain is experiencing a cold snap and the rain will last until next week. Obviously this changed our plans to visit Valencia and Denia …..(Sad face) but it gave us the opportunity to research/plan for the other nine months of our trip around Europe. 

Taking a research break at Bitburger

We have been blessed with access to a car which gives us tremendous freedom in Spain.  As we began looking into airplane tickets, car rentals, and hostels–keeping our budget in mind- for traveling the rest of Europe; we realized how restricted we would be without the convenience of our own vehicle. We would also be bogged down with our luggage, limited to large cities with airports, and at the mercy of cab drivers. The luster of traveling this way quickly began to fade, so a new idea was born. Why not drive the rest of Europe? Ross and I have grown quite comfortable with the narrow roads, unreadable road signs, and speedy Spanish locals.

2013 Grand Kangoo 

After two days of research Ross came across an UNBELIVABLE opportunity and we jumped on it!!! We have leased a seven passenger 2013 Renault Grand Kangoo for nine months. Along with it being a brand new car offering the latest technology it also includes: 24 hour roadside assistance, full coverage insurance with no deductible–including our personal belonging - and GPS navigation for all of Europe. There is also a table that flips down for eating along with the ability to fold the seats down creating a large enough space for a blow up mattress-eliminating thousands of Euros on accommodations for 270 nights. 

Future Home of the Courage's

Yes you are hearing me correctly!!!! We will live in the car for nine months- stopping occasionally at a hotel for a change of scenery and a hot shower- but otherwise relying on the kindness of the online Redditting community, laundry mats, and grocery stores- filling a cooler for most of our meals.

Looks like sunny skies ahead!! We could not be more excited about our change in plans. We promise it will offer a much closer look at the 14 countries we plan to visit as well as increasing the amount of cities, towns, and villages we will see while driving over 15,000 kilometers through Europe. 

April 30, 2013

After six days of being cooped up in the house due to bad weather, even as newlyweds we were looking forward to our planned outing with our friend Matais. He has lived in Spain for four years, since retiring from his position as a Polish diplomat working as an international ambassador for the majority of his career.

El Castell de Guadalest

Today he took us to Algar Waterfalls- aka Les Fonts- and also to Guadalest the town that is home to “El Castell de Guadalest”-aka The Grand House- which is really a castle built in 1644.We also stopped by a local honey cooperative offering a number of different flavors and we enjoyed a lovely lunch before we called it a day. 

Entrance & Largest Waterfall

Matais called it the cascades but it is better known as les fonts de l’algar located in Callosa.  Wow! We highly recommend this to anyone planning a visit Spain because of its amazing views of nearby mountains, whistling waterfalls, and affordable price of only 4 euros per person.  

The nature park has four natural pools were swimming is permitted, a picnic area, and an arboretum. Once entering the park you are deafened by the thunderous roar of the largest fall. 

No Baguettes allowed

Second fall and pool

Natural Pools at Les Fonts

                                      

As you climb a staircase up to the next lookout you are welcomed by the beautiful indigenous aromatic plants. The streams are overflowing because of the intense rains lately and when the crystalline waters are struck by the sunshine its blue green hues are illuminated.

   

Ross and I were amazed at the difference in personal responsibility when compared to America.  Here all activities you take part in are 100% at your own risk- the warning signs being similar to the fine print in contracts that no one reads. For example swimming is allowed but a very little sign states “no head on diving” just before you reach a custom built diving board. To our surprise the dangerous diving board lures adventure seekers into a large pool with only 10 feet before one would be tossed over a rushing waterfall on to the rocks below.

Swim at your own risk

Zoe & Joey at Les Fonts

Heading toward Guadalest we navigated through hair pin curves and dangerous switch back roads. If one was to get distracted by the breath taking views that could be all she wrote because of the limited number of guard rails that would prevent one from taking a plunge. 

After reaching the small village we saw the typical tourist trap offerings- souvenir shops and museums.  This time we bypassed all the distraction being led by our local guide straight to the castle and to tour the prison. It was a good thing we did this because a terrible storm lingered nearby.

Guadalest Prison 

El Castell de Guadalest gave us a taste of what the wealthy lived like during the 17^th and 18^th century in Spain.  Those who resided in the Grand House were members of the Spanish aristocracy then later on they held their prestige through positions such as lawyers and high ranking military officials.

Terraced Garden

Painting of Guadalest

Being devote Catholics the Orduna family home had a number of religious relics, paintings, and most unique the Virgin Chamber. 

Virgin Chamber

Family Crest Tapestry

Library with books written by hand

Other highlights we enjoyed were the library- which contains 1256 volumes illustrating three distinct time periods- the sleeping quarters, the wash room, the kitchen, the dinning room,  the garden view of the Guadalest Reservoir, and the village prison.

Adult Sleeping Quarters

Child Sleeping Quarters

The Kitchen

The Wash Room

Guadalest Reservoir

Dinning Room

Our tour was cut short by the storm I mentioned earlier and freezing temperature tagged along. We dropped in a few shops to avoid the heaviest down pours but we still ended up wet and cold before reaching the car to leave the picturesque village. 

The Bell Tower

Honey Buffet

On the way down the mountains the rain turned to sleet so we pulled over and waited the storm out at a delightful restaurant called El Riu.  We enjoyed one of the traditional Spanish menus and shared a bottle of wine; before we knew it 3:00pm turned to 6:30pm so with full bellies and sleepy eyes we headed back to Calpe not forgetting to stop by Miel Natural Store (natural honey). Treating ourselves to a free sugar high when sampling numerous flavors of honey before we agreed that Tomilio and Eucalyptus were our favorites. The prices were inexpensive so we bought one kilogram of each, which will last throughout our journey and leave us enough to share with friends and family back in the states.   

55 Gallon Drum of Honey

The Bee Keeper himself

 May 1, 2013

 

Today is a Spanish holiday, May Day, which we are told is similar to Labor Day in the United States.  The banks, the post office, and every grocery store in Calpe and the surrounding areas are closed for the celebration.

We ventured out on an early afternoon exploration and pleasantly ended up in a small town just down the coast called Moraira.  The town was alive with loud music and bustling with tourists.  Even the beach was full of people playing volleyball, basking in the sun, ignoring the chilly breeze, and spending time with their families. 

We sat and enjoyed a few beers- listening to flamenco infused rock ballads- in the stunning promenade of white circus tents-located in front of the Castell de Moraira; built for just this celebration. 

The quaint town seems to be a popular British destination because to our surprise we could understand the announcer on the microphone, first speaking English, then transitioning to Spanish.  We people watched for awhile before wandering the sleepy streets, visiting the marina, and enjoying a few fun photo opportunities.  

Moraira Marina

Joey & Zoe in Moraira

May 2, 2013

Ross and I are becoming quite popular here in Calpe and our social calendar is filling up more and more each day! People are very welcoming, relaxed, and willing to be our tour guides, with some even inviting us to their homes for tapas and drinks. Today we visited some expats from Britain at their lovely home just around the corner from where we are staying.  Dorothy and Graham showed us a wonderful afternoon full of enlightened discussion, play time with their bunnies, and an infinite amount of snacks/beverages from their poolside custom built bar.

They have lived in Calpe for 16 years and were owners of a local café until they finally decided to fully retire and enjoy the local lifestyle. They are an inspiration to Ross and I – married for 50 years as well as working together nearly every day. 

Graham with his Pride and Joy

They raise angora bunnies- not for the money because they sell them for 10euro a piece- but for the joy it brings them and the families that buy them.  They currently own five but the stars of the show are the breeding pair. 

Whiskey

 The mother-Whiskey- is nine months old and the father-Gordy- is three years old. Being distracted by good conversation we hardly noticed the slow rate at which the sun moved across the sky. Before we knew it our 2:00pm outing had ran until half passed eight. It was no shocker that we were beat even though we had literally done nothing all day because drinking and eating are vigorous activities in Spain.








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