Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Sweden - Stockholm and Sundsvall
Holli and I made our way to Stockholm to visit Henrik and Anna-Karin. In Stockholm we had great weather and were able to take a boat ride to a small island called Voxhall? where we enjoyed a great lunch overlooking the sea.
Henrik was a great host and he knew a great deal about the city. I really enjoyed the sun and the sea. There was water everywhere. The food was great, and the people were nice.
The biggest surprise came when Henrik´s mom got us tickets to the Rod Stewart concert. It was inspiring to see the old guy with so much energy on stage.
It never really got completely dark in Sweden. I really would love to go live in Stockholm for a year!
Henrik was a great host and he knew a great deal about the city. I really enjoyed the sun and the sea. There was water everywhere. The food was great, and the people were nice.
The biggest surprise came when Henrik´s mom got us tickets to the Rod Stewart concert. It was inspiring to see the old guy with so much energy on stage.
It never really got completely dark in Sweden. I really would love to go live in Stockholm for a year!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Las Palmas de Gran Canaries
We spent four full beach days on Playa de las Canterias. It was wonderful and relaxing. The hostel that we stayed at was a mile or so from the beach, and was a simple place. No frills but was perfect since we didn´t spend any time in the hostel except to sleep.
On the second day there Holli and I went snorkeling, and saw some amazing fishes. My favorite were the black fishes with neon blue fins. I think they are called Half-mooned fish. We also saw a very poisonous scorpion fish.
The third day we went snorkeling and made it out to the Barra, it was quite a long swim although from the coast it didn´t seem like it would be. The barra was filled with life, and we waited until the afternoon before we went out there since the tide was pulling out and the barra created a natural protection from the ocean waves.
Our most interesting dinner was a small suckling pig!
Our last day we acted like true tourist and took the tourist bus around the city. I enjoyed hearing the history of the island and the view were great. My favorite place was Christopher Colombus´ house since it has the most beautiful parrots.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Granada Dia del Cruces
Our last puente... Starting on Thursday we started what the Spanish call the bridge. We decided to visit our friends Julia and Miguel in Granada. This is our second time here, but this time we get to see a Feria (Festival).
Every main plaza had a large cross decorated in flowers. People gathered with horses and their finest dresses, some even wearing typical Seville style dresses. There was music and dancing, but this year the city council did not allow for open containers in the fair. This might see normal for Americans, but for the Spainish open containers (beer cans, wine bottles, fanta bottles mixed with wine or beer) are a staple at fairs.
It was great being in Granada again, wandering through the streets of the Alabacin area, and sipping turkest coffee at the local coffee shops. We even visited an Arabian Bath. There were several pools and we were to alternate between hot and cold pools. The finale was a decent message with special herbal oils!
Miguel and the family treated us to a relaxing beach trip out to the Playa de la Caleta. The sand was black from the volcanic activity of over a million years ago. The water was fresh and a nice release from the heat of the sun. Little Julia was excited to be at the beach and played with the sand.
Julia took some time off, and we (Holli, Julia, little Julia, and I) all went to the Sierra Nevadas. The landscape changed greatly from the bottom of the mountain to the top. There was even a bit of snow, but the town at the top of the mountian seemed like a ghost town. It was a Monday so it was a bit expected, and there definately wasn't enough snow to go skiing, although I could imagine the lifts running up to slopes and people skiing down to the village to imbibe in a cafe or beer or go up the slope again.
As always Granada was an amazing time, and especially exciting because of the feria!
Pero - means but in Spainish, but in Andalucia pero means apple. Pera in both Spanish and in Andalucia means pear. The Andalucians decided to call the apple a pero. I thought about it for awhile and it makes a lot of sense.
The picture below is a apple with a sissors stuck in it. It is ment to signify the death to all those who would say... "Este feria es muy bien pero..." (English: This fair is really great BUT...). DEATH to the PERO... The apple represents the PERO.
Every main plaza had a large cross decorated in flowers. People gathered with horses and their finest dresses, some even wearing typical Seville style dresses. There was music and dancing, but this year the city council did not allow for open containers in the fair. This might see normal for Americans, but for the Spainish open containers (beer cans, wine bottles, fanta bottles mixed with wine or beer) are a staple at fairs.
It was great being in Granada again, wandering through the streets of the Alabacin area, and sipping turkest coffee at the local coffee shops. We even visited an Arabian Bath. There were several pools and we were to alternate between hot and cold pools. The finale was a decent message with special herbal oils!
Miguel and the family treated us to a relaxing beach trip out to the Playa de la Caleta. The sand was black from the volcanic activity of over a million years ago. The water was fresh and a nice release from the heat of the sun. Little Julia was excited to be at the beach and played with the sand.
Julia took some time off, and we (Holli, Julia, little Julia, and I) all went to the Sierra Nevadas. The landscape changed greatly from the bottom of the mountain to the top. There was even a bit of snow, but the town at the top of the mountian seemed like a ghost town. It was a Monday so it was a bit expected, and there definately wasn't enough snow to go skiing, although I could imagine the lifts running up to slopes and people skiing down to the village to imbibe in a cafe or beer or go up the slope again.
As always Granada was an amazing time, and especially exciting because of the feria!
Pero - means but in Spainish, but in Andalucia pero means apple. Pera in both Spanish and in Andalucia means pear. The Andalucians decided to call the apple a pero. I thought about it for awhile and it makes a lot of sense.
The picture below is a apple with a sissors stuck in it. It is ment to signify the death to all those who would say... "Este feria es muy bien pero..." (English: This fair is really great BUT...). DEATH to the PERO... The apple represents the PERO.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Scuba Diving!
This past week I took a SCUBA diving course which was taught by a HP Co-worker. It was tough especially since the course textbook was in Spanish. It was 5 days of classroom lectures for an hour and 3 nights in the pool for 2-3 hours.
The past weekend I went diving in Aiguestortes which is located north of Barcelona in costa brava. We went about 19 meters deep which is 6 meter less than the max legal depth that I can reach with my certification. It was a fun experience and I will definately try to checkout some other diving locations!
Barcelona to Monserrat (Mountian Biking) April 19th
So what started with my idea of riding to Girona from Barcelona, was downsized to a ride to Monserrat. Angel and David had wanted to do this ride for awhile, and we had been delayed a few weeks before because of a contagious spread of the flu virus.
It was a great ride because Ivan and Miguel were able to join.
The ride took around 8 hours and we went throgh some awesome terrian. At one point after a really fast downhill we had to ride in a small creek.
It was beautiful, but the toughest part for me was climbing the road to the monestery. Ivan finished so fast when I got to the top he had already purchased snacks and drinks!
More Pics
Trail Tracks
It was a great ride because Ivan and Miguel were able to join.
The ride took around 8 hours and we went throgh some awesome terrian. At one point after a really fast downhill we had to ride in a small creek.
It was beautiful, but the toughest part for me was climbing the road to the monestery. Ivan finished so fast when I got to the top he had already purchased snacks and drinks!
More Pics
Trail Tracks
Sevilla
The Feria de Abril was colorful, flavorful (the food), and wonderful. We were very lucky that Emilio had a friend who invited us in to her caseta. The festival takes place in a large area where there are small store like tents set up on the street. Women are dressed in flower like dresses with amazing patterns and colors. People are riding horse carriages, and inside the casetas people are eating, drinking (manzanilla), and dancing (sevillana).
The old district of Sevilla was opulent and well kept. I enjoyed the plaza espana, and the small streets around the main church. Our hostel was also in a good location (close to placa reincarnacion).
Holli, Rudy and Ainhoa had rented dresses and Marta, who came last minute, purchased a dress while we where there. I am sure the purchase was well worth it since Marta was possibly the best sevillana dancer after Holli!
I would love to go to Sevilla again!
More Pics
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
