From Alicante to Granada, nice views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range were captured by our eyes. After the long journey, we entered the capital of Andalusia, Granada. We went up a hill to the Alhambra Palace. Alhambra means red. So, it's also known as the Red Palace sometimes. Our local guide was Parco, the only warm Spanish local tour guide(his jokes were the plus points) in our entire trip. The Alhambra Palace is a palace and a fortress complex of the Moorish Monarchs of Granada. It was once the residence of the Muslim kings of Granada and their court. The floor of the palace was made of marble which made it very cold. the mosque was turned into a church when the Moorish were overthroned. First, we went into this building (built few centuries ago) which looked like a colloseum from the inside and a square building from the outside. The 4 corners were used to build stairs up to the 1st floor. I don't remember much about this, but the amazing thing about this building is that when one make a speech in the center of the building, his voice can be heard aloud as if he is holding a microphone. And, there is no echo. Cool.. Imagine: people soooo many years back can build this type of buildings.
In the Alhambra Palace, the carvings were just so cool.. there's a "2nd version" of Taj Mahal in the Alhambra Palace. Two-Storey buildings were built on the both side of the "Taj Mahal". The upper floor was for the Sultan's women whereas the ground floor were for the VIPs(businessmen). The Sultan had 4 wives and 60-70 concubines. No males was allowed at their room. There were 4 windows named jeolousy windows(for the 4 wives). At the court which is facing the "Taj Mahal"(they have a special name for it which i forgot), the Sultan has 8 advisers with him. It was very well-structured. the entire structure of the court gave the Sultan 3 advantages. First, when the businessman enter the place, the Sultan can see whoever is coming when the outsider couldn't see anything from the inside. Second, when the businessman enter(just like we did), no one would even notice the little higher step, and will trip a bit. must be wondering what so great bout this.. lol.. when the businessman trips, they practically "bows" a bit, "showing respect" to the Sultan and reduce their proud.. smart eh.. guess what's the third one.. When the businessman enter the court, he is sorrounded by the advisers. (The advisers are seated around the palace. so, the businessman who enters get intimidated and this will increase the royalty's chance of winning in any court cases.. smart sultan.. isn't he? =)
The fantasy of "Lace in Stone" is surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains. There's where the royal summer residence is located. In the garden, there's a row of fountain which the modern tourists call it a Mc Donald's fountain. The garden is pretty even during winter.. And it's like a maize, where one can actually get lost inside.. (for us)
10th Dec, From Granada, we travel again to Seville. Seville has only 2 universities with 80,000 students.. We drove through and viewed the Maria Luisa Park, Plaza De Espana, The bull ring and the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River. We had some photo stops in between. In Seville, we walked through some old quarters of Santa Cruz which was once the thriving Jewish quarter. The old buildings are now transformed into shops. there were some parts of the old walls which are still kept as there are pipe lines built in it. Smart Jewish people who knows to build pipe in the walls.. =)
Seville again has a beautiful church-Cathedral of Seville claimed to be the 3rd largest church in the world... It was here that we spotted some gypsies btw.. erm, the church is big but part of it is still under restoration.. It has an outstanding example of the Gothic and Baroque architecture style. We saw many amazing drawings of various Spanish artists. We also viewed the tomb of Christopher Columbus. His body was carried by 4 people representing erm.. i dun rmb.. hehe.. Anyway, it had a celebration later on that day where the church choir will sing with the orchestra playing and the dance boy dancing.. We missed that though as we were rushing for time.. To Portugal..
Crossed the border at 4.30pm(Spain)/3.30pm(Portugal)..
11th Dec, Lisbon, Lisbon, and Lisbon... Local tour guide-Zo Se.. Visited the Jeronimos Monastery(recognized by UNESCO). Viewed the tomb of Vasco da Gama.. Stroll in the old quarters with cobbled stone of Alfama. Had to be extremelyyyy careful not to step on dogs's poo.. lol.. Viewed their bull ring, the Marueline time of Belem Tower, 25th April Bridge, Monument of Navigator, Pombal Statue and Grand Avenida Da Liberdade. Ohya, tasted the famous Portugal tarts.. loved it..
Visited Sintra.. Cooold.. was drizzling.. nice view.. had a good stroll.. it's a hill area by the way.. used up my strength.. tired... then, went to Carbo Da Roca which means Cape of the Rock.. Nice view of the Atlantic Ocean.. The end of Europe land, the starting of the ocean.. Btw, right opposit this place is the United States of America....
12th Dec, Last day with our nice driver... Long travel from Lisbon back to Madrid.. In between, we stopped at Merida for lunch break.. Viewed the Roman monuments.. Not much cuz was drizzling again... Reached Madrid and bye Uncle Joseh...He's nice, very fatherly...
13th Dec, Rachel- ouir local guide brought us to the Royal Palace.. Only 18 rooms were opened i tink.. and we visited all.. the stairs were made of one piece of marble for every steps.. This palace was built on the site of a formal alcazar that burned down in 1934 and it took 26 years to complete.. the queen's office, the king's smoking room, the farmacy and many more.. hmmm, couldn't take any photos and that place was soo nice... ishh..
Visited Plaza Del Sol, Plaza Espana, Monument of Cervantes, The parliment(Viewed), Cibeles Fountain, Elegant Calle Alcala and Paseo De Castellana. It was RAINING in Madrid.. Our guide told us that Madrid is an extremely dry place with only 25-30 days rainfall per year.. So, should be LUCKY US.. but also unlucky us... we can't walk around leisurely.... and it was sooooooo cold.. Well, visited the Christmas market at Plaza Mayor.. never seen such market anywhere else..
14th Dec, boring day, tiring day.. flight.. from Madrid to Doha.. Transit at Doha again.. 5 hours...
15th Dec.. Welcome myelf back to Malaysia.... btw, the name of our plane's captain was also Joseh.. i find it cool to meet, well sort of 2 people with the same name in one single trip...
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