My excitement to see east Europe fell flat, as 4 of the original group members of 12 withdrew last minute. So the tour leader had to cancel the trip as 8 people will be more costly. I was so disappointed. The neatly packed luggage was left open on the floor in my room. My brain has already registered that I would travel somewhere in June and July. So when a group tour to Spain and Portugal was suggested, I jumped at the idea. With Cecily as my travel companion, we joined Parlo Tours and left Malaysia for Madrid on 9 July. The flight was boring as usual with stop-over in Doha, 6.45 hours plus 7.30 hours flight time.
Arriving in Madrid in the morning and straight touring the city was no fun. Tired and sleepy, the 20 of us were excited and wide awake looking at hot summer Madrid.
Since it was Sunday we weren't able to go inside Plaza de Toros, the famous bullfight ring. I was glad. I have always felt disgusted at how cruel humans are, killing the bulls with thousands cheered gleefully. If it is done in a Muslim world, I am sure the west will carry smear campaigns throughout the world, condemning Islam mercilessly. I was relieved when in Barcelona, the local tour guide told us that bullfighting is banned in Barcelona from August 2011. I hope the rest of Spain and Portugal will follow suit.
With Cesily, my travel companion in front of Plaza de Toros, Madrid.
For football fanatics, a visit to Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid football club was a bonus. A pity it was Sunday and the stadium was closed. I was impressed throughout my travel in Spain and Portugal, to see so many old beautiful buildings still standing and are well taken care of. The wrought iron works of the balconies are superb and so are the mosaic. But mosaic works are more intricate and gorgeous in Iran.
I have been dreaming of seeing Andalusia (remind me of M. Nasir's haunting song) particularly the Alhambra palace and garden in Granada (capital of Andalusia), and the Mesquita in Cordoba where the pillars of the old mosque (now a church) resembled the pillars in Masjid Medina. The old Mihrab for azan was still there intricately carved with Quranic verses. The Mesquita was once a symbol of Islamic greatness during the Umayyad Dynasty. Alhambra doesn't let me down. It was beautiful and a sheer pleasure to see it. I was displeased greatly that my photos do not turn out good and they do not
do justice to the beautiful places and scenery that I took. My fault - I am a lousy photographer with a lopsided eye-level.
Alhambra, Granada one of the water features in the palace.
One area of Alhambra garden.
In Seville, I climbed the 34 ramps (not steps) of flight to the top of Giralda Bell Tower, once a minaret, the only Muslim heritage left in Seville, now the church bells ring there. The rest of the mosque has been demolished for Seville Cathedral. The Alcazar palace, the Archives and the Seville Cathedral are proclaimed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1986.
The Muslim ablution area is still there in the orange courtyard in Seville Cathedral.
Part of Seville Cathedral.
Tomb of Christopher Colombus in Seville Cathedral. Cesily is trying to read the inscription - in Spanish.
Narrow walkway in Seville is beautifully decorated with hanging flowers.
At the UNESCO World Heritage complex in Seville - Seville Cathedral, the Archives and the Alcazar (the palace).
Cordoba - the entrance area of the Mesquita (old mosque), majestic and intricate.
The Mihrab in Mesquita, Cordoba. The beautiful Quranic inscriptions are still intact. The azan didn't need help from a microphone. The sound of azan was carried away and out through the natural sound system through the wall.
The central dome near the Mihrab in the Mesquita, Cordoba - magnificently designed and crafted.
Rows of olive trees along the way from Cordoba to Granada. Bought some olive shampoos and body milk to bring home at stop area in Lija.
The Arts and Science Complex Center in Valencia, the biggest in Europe, is awesome. The outer complex alone can take your breath away - it's huge and modern.
The exterior of the complex leading to the entrance.
The Arts and Science Center Complex, Valencia.
In the Arts and Science complex Center, Valencia with Claire Wong, the young tour leader.
With Paulo, the capable Portuguese bus driver who made sure his passengers were safe. Thank you Paulo.
Here in Valencia, we were introduced to Spanish traditional food, the paella, a rice seafood so delicious, for lunch.
But best of all. I love Toledo, a former Spanish capital. The old city is bubbling with history and quint buildings. Here I bought a few pieces Damascuni jewelery, handcrafted in gold and black gold. The art was brought by the Muslim Syrians into Spain.
With newly met friends from Ipoh. Left: twin Nana, mom Fatimah and twin DeeDee at Toledo lookout point.
The last lapse of my journey was Barcelona, bursting to the seams with summer tourists especially at Sagrada Familia Cathedral which is still under construction, uncompleted even after 108 years. The city is gorgeous, clean and the roads are cool, lined with trees and parks. After visiting the Olympic stadium, we went to Montjoic to enjoy the overview scenery of Barcelona.
I tried to get in Hard Rock Cafe but I couldn't go past the main entrance. The place was sardine-packed with tourists as if they were given free gifts. It was madness. Anyway, shopping in Spain is not cheap when the exchange rate was RM 4.20 to one Euro.
View of Barcelona from Montjoic.
The Olympic Stadium, Barcelona.
Port Olympic, Barcelona.
At the background, the palace turned museum.
The Casa Battlo. The house remodeled by Antoni Gaudi which was turned to museum in Barcelona.
One of the pretty old buildings in Barcelona city.
With Fatimah, daughter DD at Park Guell, Barcelona - a fascinating park with quint, creative architecture.
This tour was like a passing river. I would like to do a leisurely visit one day especially in Seville Granada and Cordoba. There are still so many interesting places we were not able to cover. One day maybe. Insyaallah. But always remember, don't go in summer - hot and crowded.
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