Paphos Cyprus.....feeling hot, hot, hot

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Flew into Paphos as part of our getting across to the Greek islands cheaply. first hop on Ryan Air Girona- Paphos and then in a couple of days Paphos Crete.....and then we can go slowly on island hops.

Paphos feels a bit like Bali.......just older. Lots of bars and restaurants around the port area.....lots of visitors from England and Russia. lots of high end jewellery shops and then cheapie bucket and spade type shops. Our pension is just on the edge of the party zone......there are English pubs here and you can get a full English brekky for €3.00.....sort of sums it up.  Interesting to see the majority of the hospitality staff....waiters, bar staff...hotel house maids etc are Romanian or Croatian....not Greek. They work really hard in the heat, trying to tout for business and try and tempt you into their establishment......while the owners sit in the shade......

Having said that the island is surrounded by beautiful blue waters....the sun is shining...its hot, hot, hot....(lots of white bodies getting burned), lots of wild cats lying in the shade of trees.  You can take the local buses around most places and a day pass costs €3.00 so not bad. Everything that comes in by ship or plane is more expensive than we have been used to in Spain.

Right,  off for a swim.....its roasting!

Quick post for the Russians

I've updated the California post of 3 May with the pics of the Russian fort  on the Sonoma coast line.

Я обновил пост Калифорнии от 3 мая с фотографии свободных русскую крепость на береговой линии Sonoma.

Hasta luego Spain

Farewell Spain...

Had a lovely time in Spain. The villages, towns and cities are all beautiful and interesting in their own ways. Then blending of traditional and modern architecture is interesting. The people are friendly and helpful even with all the woes of the economy. We saw 'paint bombing' of banks and graffiti in the north, hard to use some money machines as the screens had all been spray canned

. The food and wine is great and its very cheap, the fashions are interesting......young gals all very vavavavVooom and then older mature ladies like little bulldozers......the siesta period is interesting.....when does the work get done.....great sculptures......great beaches on the north and south coasts......its got it all.

We will be back.....

Lovely seaside town....Costa Brava

26 May 2013


Day trip to Parafrugall........the Costa Brava!

We ended up walking 3k's each way from the bus station to the beach as the summer timetable hadn't started but it was worth it. Gorgeous little fishing town, lunch beside the beach...waves lapping.....walking alongside beautiful wheat fields...not a bad day

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Girona.......mini Florence??

25 May 2013


Caught the slow train from Valencia up the Costa Brava coast to Girona. About a 6 hr. train ride.....local train that was packed and everyone brought along packed lunches etc.....colorful. It was lovely seeing all the little coastal bays as we hugged the coastline a lot of the way. As we made it farther north it was a bit cooler and then we went inland. Lovely fields and villages perched on hilltops.

Girona really is a bit like a mini Florence......but I mean very mini.....great cathedral, wonderful old Jewish quarter and historic houses alongside the River Onya. We walked the top of the city fortress walls.....amazing.  Girona  is a bit of a hub for Ryan Air cheap flights as opposed to Barcelona landing fees.  

Nice spot but really a one day's town.

Albufera National Park

Decided to get out of the hustle and bustle of Valencia town and took the bus out to Albefura National Park. Its Spain's biggest lake and has extensive wetland zones for birds as well as rice fields....traditional fishing methods and plenty of fish . The water level is low.....less than a metre in places! We took an open top traditional boat out into the lake . The lake is full of little islands of bamboo type vegetation and you can spot the bird life in action all over the place......peaceful, serene, tranquil....loved it.  You can see the traditional eel Fishermen's homes....all still made out of materials from the area and all to the same pattern.  Can't believe more people don't get out there but quietly glad its not full of tourists.

Modern Valencia

23 May  2013

Today explored the modern architecture of Valencia. Incredible.....Oceanagraphic Institute and the Museum of Modern Sciences....all white, striking contrast to the historic zone.

Valencia......its hot, hot, hot

22 May 2013

Arrived in Valnencia and it was 27° - yay back to the heat. Santiago was great but it was freezing cold. Wandered about the old historic town...fantastic , historic blend of architecture, amazing food market....and its all flat - great for biking or walking. Plenty of spots to stop and revive youself with tapa's and local refreshments.

Art installation at the Galician Centre for Culture

Galician Cultural Centre....amazing design

Took the bus 20  mins out of town to a hill top to visit the cente of culture. This is an amazing complex designed by American Peter Einsenman. The design reflects the rolling countryside., original cost has trebled, two wings are uncompleted and the project has been put on hold...its great but unfinished....white elephant?

In need of a good book to read

A-Coruna

Monday 20 May 2013

Took the train 30 mins to the Galician state capital, A-Coruna.
 Sea port, cute little cobbled streets....great sea front.
Next stop Valencia  in a few days.

Santiago de Compostela

The cathedral square and actual cathedral are impressive...too much to capture  on my wee pocket camera.

Arzua to Santiago de Compostela

Saturday 18May 2013 -22k's

Raining again. Double socks to keep feet dry, gloves purchased to keep hands warm and avoid the wind chill....walking pole at the ready....bring it on!

Sun came out for short periods and it was lovely. Lots of eagerness to reach the destination. The first glimpses of the cathedral spires motivated us to walk a bit faster. Yay....we made it. Lots of happy walkers all taking photos etc at the end of a long trek. We all looked odd in all our rain gear as a group of Vatican VIPS and security services were in cathedral square....but great feeling to have reached our destination. Rest days now.

Azua to Arca

Thursday 16 May 2013   - 22k's

Raining again....dress code for today...warm jackets, covered by waterproof jackets, packs on with pack covers on and the waterproof ponchos  over the top...looking good!
We walked for about 5 hours in the rain....miserable.... saved by the coffee stands in wee sheds set up by farmers along the way. Rousing Spanish music and a warm tortilla and you are ready for some more miles in the rain.

Rain rain go away

Rain is forecast for the next three days. Very different temperature this time compared to last year. A polar blast is over Europe and  boy don't we know it...hands were frozen today....must buy gloves. Last year same time we were sweltering....