Torremolinos y Granada

After our time in Gibraltar, we headed to the BEACH!

Two glorious days on the Mediterranean.

It was incredible and relaxing.

The water was FREEZING, but we had to get in- it's the mediterranean.

It literally took your breath away.

look how beautiful!

After our free days, we headed to our final stop of our Andalusia- Granada.

It was so fun.

So much history and such an interesting mix of Spanish and Arabic cultures.

Granada is historically significant to Spain. It is where their most important king and queen are buried.You may have heard of them? Ferdinand and Isabel? 

They are the ones that supplied the funds for Colombus' trip to America

and are also the sole reason for the unified country of Spain.

The cathedral.

Where Ferdinand and Isabel are buried.

The old silk trading area.

Now it is full of arabic shops.

arabic tea set.

we went out to get some. so good!

this was a bachelorette party.

Adair, don't get any ideas.

paella. yum!

the Alhambra at night!

check out those mountains in the back!!

the Alhambra was the last Arabic stronghold in Spain.

Granada at night!

moon rising over the mountains and the Alhambra at night!

Me, Taylor, and Molly!

The Alhambra during the day.

view from the top of the fortress at the Alhambra

Stay tuned for my overview and recap of my time in Spain!

Flamenco and GIBRALTAR

Finally finishing up my blog posts on Spain.

The internet was difficult to find on our tour South and we were so busy that I honestly didn't have time to update.

But, it's better late then never!

On Wednesday night, our second day in Sevilla we went to a Flamenco show.

It was incredible.

Such a cool and unique aspect of the Spanish culture.

I just wish that I could move like that.  :)

Here are some of the pictures:

Pictures before the show! 

JT, me, and Taylor

the rooms- Ashley

Kristin, Victoria, Laren, Erin, Ashley, and Caitlin ready for the show!

the flamenco dancers. incredible!

The next day we went to GIBRALTAR.

Gibraltar is actually not a part of Spain. It is an English province.

So when we walked across the boarder, it was a reality check: everything was in English!

And we heard so many British accents.

It was a beautiful, small island with an interesting culture.

The rock of Gibralter. 

You can see Spain, Gibralter, and Africa from the top and across the straights.

We were on English soil, so we naturally had to have fish and chips!

You see that mountain in the background with the cloud on top?

That's Africa.

Yeah, I know it's hazy, but there she is across the straights of Gibraltar.

There are monkeys on the rock of Gibraltar.

I hate them.

They are absolutely disgusting, but our tour guide allowed us to take pictures with them.

And you only live once right?!?

The monkeys are very clean and well taken care of.

And that is because of the "legend" about them.

Gibraltar is part of England, but the Spanish want it back as Spanish territory.

The legend has it that as long as there are monkeys on the rock, it will remain a part of England.

So, the monkeys are naturally well taken care of. The even have their own vets.

view of the mediterranean from the top

the view of Spain from the top.

This is the landing strip in Gibraltar.

Right before that is the line between Spain and Gibraltar.

Me at the top!

Cordoba y Sevilla

So, I have been a terrible about updating.

But that's because we have been super busy and the internet is always hit or miss.

This is our travel week and it has been an absolute blast.

We have been going every second of the day. 

I am throughly exhausted, but that is why we have one day at the beach!

Ok, so we first stopped in la Mancha where Don Quixote was knighted and where his first adventure began with the windmill. 

Next we moved onto Cordoba. Which was a beautiful town with Moorish and Christian influences and history. 

Cue the heat.

Oh my, is it hot in the south.

We avoided the heat in Madrid with the record cool front for the first four weeks and then made up for it in one day in Cordoba. Wooow.

We then travelled onto Sevilla where we stayed the night. (Yes, all of this was in one day!!)

We got in late afternoon with just enough time to eat dinner.

Also ate some snail out of the shell. Gross.

I don't have pictures but one of the girls on the trip does, so I will be sure to get some proof. 

The next day, we were back on the bus by 9am to see all of the sights of Sevilla.

Sevilla might be my favorite city in all of Spain.

It's slow paced, beautiful side streets, rich history and culture.

And it has the biggest Gothic structure in the world- plus Christopher Colombus' burial site.

Here are the pictures!

Don Quixote's monsters

shrine in Cordoba.

Gothic part

The mix of Gothic and Moorish

Moorish

Gothic part of the Cathedral

View of the Cathedral/ Mosque from one of the side streets.

River in Cordoba.

Cordoba

Uh, yes, this is a field of ALL SUNFLOWERS!

SO BEAUTIFUL!

Bridge

Me and Molly!

Palace of the World Fair of 1992.

Star Wars 2 was filmed here.

Cathedral

The view of Sevilla from the top of the Cathedral

The bells at the top.

Which rang while we were up there.

SOOO LOUD!.

Me, Laren, Vicotria, and Kristin at the top of the cathedral.

largest gothic structure!

the grave of Christopher Colombus

Part 2 of Sevilla, Gibralter, and Torremolinos coming up soon.

Now onto a day on the MEDITERRANEAN SEA!