Science and Wine....Mother's Day Time

May 5, 2013

The air was flavored with sweet scents today as we ventured toward Valencia to tour the new City of Arts and Science. It was particularly scenic when driving along the coastal road from Gandia to Denia as we winded through the dramatic rock formations that towered above our car like giants. 

As we approached Cullera the land changed, opening up wide creating large crop fields.  In such a desolate landscape, speckled with construction companies, out of business home furnishing stores, and ceramic shops, it is hard to believe that anything could thrive in this environment. This area does well for itself because God blessed the soil. It is known as the soil that never sleeps sharing its rich nutrients with numerous crops such as rice, oranges, lemons, olives, and flowers.  

Imax Theater

Once in Valencia our destination was visible from miles away.  The new City of Arts and Science represents modern dynamic architecture emerging out of a rapidly growing city.  It is also the home of Valencia’s science museum, aquarium, Imax Theater, and  large civic center.  

Civic Center

Ross and I toured the grounds before entering the science museum. Surrounding each modern marvel are shallow pools offering interesting reflections and tourist amusement. 

Water Walking Balls

Inside the science museum we experienced the routine science exhibits commonly found in any other similar museum. The exhibits were directed towards the education of children so it was tough for us to stay interested, mainly because the majority of them were in Spanish. The history of bicycles was pretty cool! Ross chatted politics with some prehistoric neanderthals, while I kissed one of Spain's great thinkers.   

Three-Seater Bike

Muah!!

Neanderthals getting a ear full 

Our favorite exhibit was the section dedicated to Marvel Comics.  Ross thoroughly enjoyed the life size statues, intricately painted murals, and unique spin on modern science through the eye of comic artists. 

Captain America saving the day

Our nephews Joel and Jett would have loved this exhibit so we took lots of pictures with their favorite characters in mind. Jett being a HUGE fan of the Incredible Hulk and Joel a fan of many but he really like Captain America.  Hope you like it boys!!

Hulk SMASH

Spiderman saves the damsel in distress

Ross's Favorite is Wolverine 

After the museum we refueled with a quick picnic lunch before we got lost in the rest of this expansive metropolis. We wanted to navigate to the historic part of town but with no GPS and lack of planning on my part that was not in the cards for us today. We did manage to find the port authority and the beach before heading home to Calp. 

Valencia Beach 

1 Kilo of Spare Ribs

We followed up on a restaurant recommendation and dined at Calp Steakhouse.  The food was delicious and the portions were enormous, sending us into a food coma, which was much needed after a long day of sightseeing.  

Entering Food Coma

 May 7, 2013

Great View of Calp

Since our arrival in Spain we have not experienced what one would call hot weather but today the morning air no longer offered a refreshing chill and before noon the thermometer read 28°C/77°F.  

Our plans for this steamy afternoon were not made with this heat in mind otherwise we would not have signed up for a wine tasting.  Ignoring the rising temperatures we met up with our friends Ermi and Matais and headed for Xalo, Spain a region known for cultivation of grapes and olives. 

On the way we encountered a number of Tour de France trainees which crowded the already narrow snake like roads. We took it all in- admiring the luscious green 

vineyards that decorate the country side. Our destination was the Vino Museum and 50 year old Xalo Bodegas.                                               

 

We sampled every local wine the bodegas had to offer ranging from extra dry red and whites- to syrup sweet ports.  My favorite, the one we bought was the semi- sweet red, but the most unique was the raisin port. 

Who is the Lush?

Our friends loaded up the car with 5 liter jugs of their favorites because the prices are unbelievable-5 liters costing only 6 euro but if you bring your own jug they go as low as 1 euro per liter.  The only wine in the states that compares with these prices is Trader Joe’s two buck chuck; although there is no comparison when it comes to the quality- Spain has got Joe beat!

Giant Wine Barrels

 Pour Spouts to help yourself

After our afternoon of wine tasting we were invited to Ermi and Johanna’s house to continue the party and snack on some homemade tapas.  Their house should be a museum –illustrating their personalities to a tee. The walls are covered floor to ceiling with Johanna’s exquisite paintings, the garage is cluttered with Ermi’s gadgets and gizmos for tinkering with electronics, and their pool expresses their passion for color and plants.  It was a delightful afternoon!after all that wine we headed home, chugged some water, and snuggled in for a long siesta.  

Ermi & Johanna's Garden Oasis

                    

May 9, 2013

 A Square in Altea

I have always been known as a busy body- not in the sense that I don't know how to stop and smell the roses- but that I am not one to ever sit still! My whole life idle time has felt like a waste of my good health, my thirst for activity, desire for new experiences, and personal growth. Having this time in Spain is starting to change the way I treat idle time.  Don’t get me wrong I drive my husband crazy with, “So baby… what you want to do today?” Because he is no go-go gadget, aside from his exercise, he is content with his thoughts alone. I too am becoming comfortable with pondering life, watching that waves crash on the beach, and enjoying comfortable silence.  

Altea's  Coast

With that comes a new level of deep thought- something that takes some getting used to if you have never allowed yourself to experience it. I still feel like life is meant for action, which I will experience more of when we are constantly on the road for nine months driving throughout Europe. For now I am content with our free time and really enjoying taking life slow for a change. Just some thoughts......

We have visited almost all the small towns that surround Calp and have enjoyed each for one reason or another. The sleepiest most family oriented one –Altea Spain- is just 10 minutes from Calp- we have driven passed it countless times but something pulled us in to take a closer look today.

Every building has a white washed exterior, truly representing the Costa Blanca in a new fashion.  The city is similar to other nearby places we have visited but this one seemed less focused on tourist.  We liked that! The streets are not flooded with the traditional tourist merchandise. There were no beggars or “lookie lookie” men selling cheap sun glasses or wrist watches. (The locals call the Nigerian’s who hustle the tourist to buy cheap crap “lookie lookie men”)   There was hardly any graffiti even though every building was a perfect canvas for tagging.

Instead you see art galleries, small independently owned cafes and boutiques, and a number of small parks full of children and families playing together- carefree- full of laughter. We walked through a few art galleries. 

We glanced inside an antique store searching for some remarkable trinket to bring home, we also strolled down Altea’s spectacular board walk along the beach.  Ross and I stopped and fed the fish while listening to a talented harp player.  It was a purely blissful afternoon in the perfect environment for time with ones thoughts.

 Jewelry made in Madrid

An odd find in an antique shop

Love this antique chair

Board Walk in Altea

On a side note this weekend is Mother’s Day! Make sure you express your unwavering love to your mothers, grandmothers, and mother- in- laws (if you have one) telling them how much they mean to you! There is no need for lavish gifts; simply a genuine phone call or visit is all that is needed! I’m not saying a text message or email is sufficient either- for crying out loud they deserve more than that! My mother and mother in law love flowers so since I cannot be there to build them a garden this year I decided to take pictures of the beautiful knock out roses planted all throughout Calp! Happy Mother’s Day Peggie Johnson and Renee Courage! On Sunday Ross and I leave for Seville for four days. We found a fabulous deal on a small apartment for rent on AirBnB! We are looking forward to seeing all that Seville has to offer and we hope to make it to the Costa del Sol.  Can’t wait to tell ya all about it!