It was nice to have a break away in the South of Spain during the break between the Louis Vuitton semis and the final which commences 1 June. We only had 6 days to cover a huge amount of kms..and we're sure we only skimmed the surface.
A huge highlight for the kids was staying in a cave hotel, 1 hour north east of Granada. We saw a few caves still in use as regular houses, but most house tractors and a few tourist hotels these days. The cave had its own hot pool (and cold plunge pool), kids play cave complete with tunnels and slide into the dining area, bar and restaurant. We felt like hobbits, only with modern day conveniences (electricity to re-charge our mobile phones and even a washing machine!). All set in very arid countryside.
We also made it as far south as Tangier in Morocco. We caught the 1 our ferry from Algeciras to Tangier -the closest port town in Morocco, with loads of bussling markets with smells of spices, olives and raw meat! Without Arabian or French we communicated via sign language! We saw very poor people (young and old) begging for food....another little reminder of how lucky we are. On the whole Tangier was dirty and run down...although we didn't explore much of the new quarter. We were told it is becoming a "trendy" place to invest, with Micheal Schumacher and a Prince of Kuwait owning "flash" properties. We decided (unanimously) to stick to Appleby! I am sure Tangier was not a full representation of Morocco itself - and one day Zoe and Hunter may come back to explore the rural hinterland and ride a camel (when they can fund their own "OE")!
We had a night in another medieval village named Ronda on the way south where we visited a bull ring and explored the streets by horse and cart.
On the last day we visited a royal Muslim palace - the "Alhumbra". A magnificently kept palace and gardens built during the 11th - 13th centuries that has survived various dynasties. The most spectacular was the intricate carving of marble and extensive mosaics throughout. A fantastic day and a 6 hour ride home arriving back in Valencia around midnight last night.
A slow day today.......... but well worth it.
We hope you enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
For Appleby School
I saw the photos of the cross country on your blog. Was it fun?
How far did you run?
from Zoe
How far did you run?
from Zoe
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
And now for the Louis Vuitton Finals
Yay!
Team NZ won their semi final - which means it is Luna Rossa (Prada) against Team NZ in the final of the Louis Vuitton cup. The races for the final start 1 June - and again - will be the first to win 5 races.......
The winner of the LV will race Alinghi (the Swiss) in the America's Cup 23 June - 7 July (including reserve days).
We have a week break before the LV final and are heading out of town...... a drive to the south.
We will check the blog when we return to Valencia on 30 May.
Keep us posted of your adventures.
We were excited to hear we have had lots of rain over the last few days. We havn't seen rain here for about a month!
Team NZ won their semi final - which means it is Luna Rossa (Prada) against Team NZ in the final of the Louis Vuitton cup. The races for the final start 1 June - and again - will be the first to win 5 races.......
The winner of the LV will race Alinghi (the Swiss) in the America's Cup 23 June - 7 July (including reserve days).
We have a week break before the LV final and are heading out of town...... a drive to the south.
We will check the blog when we return to Valencia on 30 May.
Keep us posted of your adventures.
We were excited to hear we have had lots of rain over the last few days. We havn't seen rain here for about a month!
Monday, May 21, 2007
From Zoe
It was lovely to talk to Moutere last week.
It made me miss you all lots.
I wish you could all be here to have fun in the pool with me. I don't miss school - but I do miss my friends.
Grace- yes- the roller coaster was cool. I was scared at first - but then I went on it again at the end of the day..... and it was great fun. Good luck in the cross country. Run fast.
Harriet - good luck to you too. Have fun.
Love from Zoe
XXxx
It made me miss you all lots.
I wish you could all be here to have fun in the pool with me. I don't miss school - but I do miss my friends.
Grace- yes- the roller coaster was cool. I was scared at first - but then I went on it again at the end of the day..... and it was great fun. Good luck in the cross country. Run fast.
Harriet - good luck to you too. Have fun.
Love from Zoe
XXxx
One down, one to go!
Louis Vuitton semi finals - Oracle out and Luna Rossa goes into the final. The race is on for Team NZ to make one more win to get them to 5 and oust the Spanish. If Team NZ win tomorrow (tuesday) then the semis are over...and we get an extended holiday (YAY!!!). We have until 31 May until the finals start (1 June).
We have enjoyed a quiet day off today. Have just enjoyed a trip into the markets for azure queso (blue cheese), a little pan (bread) and some fruit and veges. I must away to the pool.
Loads of love,
J,R,Z & H
We have enjoyed a quiet day off today. Have just enjoyed a trip into the markets for azure queso (blue cheese), a little pan (bread) and some fruit and veges. I must away to the pool.
Loads of love,
J,R,Z & H
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Warner Brothers Movie World
Saturday 12 May
South of Madrid
Sometimes you really appreciate spanish time.... as we left Toledo and headed for Movie World at 9.30am, arriving at 10.20, we thought we might have arisen a little too late to make the most of the day at the theme park, given we had to head back to Valencia that night. But no, we were one of the first cars in the car park and almost had Scooby Doo to ourselves! The park was still pumping when we left at 7pm, and we suspect, for many hours after that.
We had a great day, lots of rides, some too scary for Hunter and some far too dizzy for Mum (much to the amusement of H,Z and R)... Superman and Scooby Doo rule! Rod had to have more than one go on the "big kids roller coaster" - whilst the one in the looney tunes area was more than enough for those of us with more "gentile" stomachs. We arrived back in Valencia 1am sunday morning.........the kids sleeping the entire trip. A quiet day beside the swimming pool did the trick today.
Yep - life in Spain is tough.
South of Madrid
Sometimes you really appreciate spanish time.... as we left Toledo and headed for Movie World at 9.30am, arriving at 10.20, we thought we might have arisen a little too late to make the most of the day at the theme park, given we had to head back to Valencia that night. But no, we were one of the first cars in the car park and almost had Scooby Doo to ourselves! The park was still pumping when we left at 7pm, and we suspect, for many hours after that.
We had a great day, lots of rides, some too scary for Hunter and some far too dizzy for Mum (much to the amusement of H,Z and R)... Superman and Scooby Doo rule! Rod had to have more than one go on the "big kids roller coaster" - whilst the one in the looney tunes area was more than enough for those of us with more "gentile" stomachs. We arrived back in Valencia 1am sunday morning.........the kids sleeping the entire trip. A quiet day beside the swimming pool did the trick today.
Yep - life in Spain is tough.
Madrid (friday 12 May)
We rode the 30 minute train ride from Toledo to Madrid. Very exciting.
The small part of Madrid we saw (on foot between the train station to the royal palace via parks, playgrounds and plazas) was clean, tidy and green. It had a nice feel and we enjoyed the day, returning to Toledo at 7pm (still very warm and sunny) and ventured to the old city for a cafe dinner. It is getting dark at 9.30pm now.
The small part of Madrid we saw (on foot between the train station to the royal palace via parks, playgrounds and plazas) was clean, tidy and green. It had a nice feel and we enjoyed the day, returning to Toledo at 7pm (still very warm and sunny) and ventured to the old city for a cafe dinner. It is getting dark at 9.30pm now.
Holy Toledo!
We had four days between the end of LV round robin 2 and the start of the LV semi finals - well, 3 actually as Rod had to go into work today (sunday) to "rehearse" for tomorrow's start. A small break - but we made the most of it and headed inland and north to visit Toledo (yep!) and Madrid.
Valencia - Toledo was a 5 hour drive in the car. We arrived about 3pm and spent a good 4 hours wandering the old city's tiny streets and tasting some (pretty ordinary) local meal. We love the delicatessions selling cheeses, pastries and cherizos (salamis) which you buy by the kilo (or "gramos" for cheese).... but the cafe food is pretty average (basic pastas, rice and bread dishes). You really need to book into a good restaurant, most don't even open until 9pm, and you won't have company until 10pm (!)..and be prepared to wait a while for food. In Spain, eating is a past time rather than a mean to an end.
Toledo has a population of 70,000 - but like most spanish cities, most reside in high apartment blocks - so there is a huge amount of people in very small spaces. The shops and cafes are all under the apartments and kids play in the plaza's, parks or the street.
The drive from Valencia to Toldeo saw intensive irrigated cropping once we reached the plateau (central spain) with lots of wheat, olive and almond trees and grape vines (although not nearly as intensively grown as in NZ - and most of the vines we saw grew on bushes not climbing on lateral wires). The most interesting is the number of wind farms we spotted along the way..one particularly large one we have photographed ....
PS- Toledo is famous for it's suits of armour and marzipan. We saw a model fortified city made of marzipan (and decided we would all feel rather sick if we even got past eating the main gate!)
Valencia - Toledo was a 5 hour drive in the car. We arrived about 3pm and spent a good 4 hours wandering the old city's tiny streets and tasting some (pretty ordinary) local meal. We love the delicatessions selling cheeses, pastries and cherizos (salamis) which you buy by the kilo (or "gramos" for cheese).... but the cafe food is pretty average (basic pastas, rice and bread dishes). You really need to book into a good restaurant, most don't even open until 9pm, and you won't have company until 10pm (!)..and be prepared to wait a while for food. In Spain, eating is a past time rather than a mean to an end.
Toledo has a population of 70,000 - but like most spanish cities, most reside in high apartment blocks - so there is a huge amount of people in very small spaces. The shops and cafes are all under the apartments and kids play in the plaza's, parks or the street.
The drive from Valencia to Toldeo saw intensive irrigated cropping once we reached the plateau (central spain) with lots of wheat, olive and almond trees and grape vines (although not nearly as intensively grown as in NZ - and most of the vines we saw grew on bushes not climbing on lateral wires). The most interesting is the number of wind farms we spotted along the way..one particularly large one we have photographed ....
PS- Toledo is famous for it's suits of armour and marzipan. We saw a model fortified city made of marzipan (and decided we would all feel rather sick if we even got past eating the main gate!)
Louis Vuitton Semi Finals
Well - the game is hotting up with Team NZ the winner of the Louis Vuitton Round 2 which decided which 4 teams go into the semi final. Being the top contender, Team NZ gets to choose who it races in the semi's. So it's Team NZ vs Espanol and Oracle vs Luna Rossa (Prada). The last few days racing has been much closer and more exciting. The weather is now settling down to a far more predictable pattern - still warm mornings, with the wind picking up about lunchtime for good racing in the afternoon. Long may it continue.... and good luck Team NZ!
Monday, May 7, 2007
A trip out on the media boat - Monday 7 May
Fantastic! Awesome! Now I am excited!
After a day out on the media boat watching the racing on the south course, we are now getting into the spirit of things! Rod managed to wangle me onto the media boat so I got to view the races first hand and rather close! There are 2 courses run each day - the north course is closer to the beach - which we can usually view from the promenade and the south course much further out.
Team NZ had a good win, and Victory beat the Spanish team, a wee upset that will prolong the agony to decide the forth player in the LV final. Fantastic weather, and once I sidled up to the American sailing channel reporters, I could actually understand what was being reported! My spanish has improved somewhat - but does not extend to deciphering an excited spanish TV reporter's commentary!!!
Some friends looked after the kids for the afternoon (who far prefered 5 hours play on the beach and in the pool to 5 hours on a boat). So, we all had a good day.
We can also start to see the end of each boat having 2 races a day, since the wind has picked up and we have finally caught up on the races postponed due to lack of wind in the early days. Rod has his first few days off since Easter (this thursday - sunday) so we are hoping to head off to Madrid. Hope you enjoy the pickies of the day out on the water ..... I did!
After a day out on the media boat watching the racing on the south course, we are now getting into the spirit of things! Rod managed to wangle me onto the media boat so I got to view the races first hand and rather close! There are 2 courses run each day - the north course is closer to the beach - which we can usually view from the promenade and the south course much further out.
Team NZ had a good win, and Victory beat the Spanish team, a wee upset that will prolong the agony to decide the forth player in the LV final. Fantastic weather, and once I sidled up to the American sailing channel reporters, I could actually understand what was being reported! My spanish has improved somewhat - but does not extend to deciphering an excited spanish TV reporter's commentary!!!
Some friends looked after the kids for the afternoon (who far prefered 5 hours play on the beach and in the pool to 5 hours on a boat). So, we all had a good day.
We can also start to see the end of each boat having 2 races a day, since the wind has picked up and we have finally caught up on the races postponed due to lack of wind in the early days. Rod has his first few days off since Easter (this thursday - sunday) so we are hoping to head off to Madrid. Hope you enjoy the pickies of the day out on the water ..... I did!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Friday 4 May
Hola!
Well an inconsistent week for sailing, some days with no wind and others with too much (hence another two days of catch up racing), todays racing was exciting.
The kids and I biked down to the Cup Village, watched a few races on the big screen, played on the playground, learnt to tie some knots and sailed a remote control yacht. Unfortuantely too much wind to go up in the hot air balloon .... we'll leave that for an adventure next week.
Tomorrow is flamenco lesson no 3. Yes - Zoe now has the full attire... and aparently we have a wee concert some time in July. Whilst Zoes teacher Ms Eva Munro is gorgeous (she sings the flamenco tune beautifully for both classes (2 hours solid)) ... the dance studio owner is a very scary buxom spanish Senora, with whom no one argues (so we are NOT allowed to watch the practices lest we distract the girls!!).
So, all in all, a realively quiet week of sandcastles, tennis and yes - the apartment pool is open! Yippee.
Well an inconsistent week for sailing, some days with no wind and others with too much (hence another two days of catch up racing), todays racing was exciting.
The kids and I biked down to the Cup Village, watched a few races on the big screen, played on the playground, learnt to tie some knots and sailed a remote control yacht. Unfortuantely too much wind to go up in the hot air balloon .... we'll leave that for an adventure next week.
Tomorrow is flamenco lesson no 3. Yes - Zoe now has the full attire... and aparently we have a wee concert some time in July. Whilst Zoes teacher Ms Eva Munro is gorgeous (she sings the flamenco tune beautifully for both classes (2 hours solid)) ... the dance studio owner is a very scary buxom spanish Senora, with whom no one argues (so we are NOT allowed to watch the practices lest we distract the girls!!).
So, all in all, a realively quiet week of sandcastles, tennis and yes - the apartment pool is open! Yippee.
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TeamNZ, Monday 7 May
Readying for the start of race 6, south course. Emirates Team NZ whizz past the media boat.
We love Valencia Oranges!
The apartment
Apratment living (all 580 odd of them)
Arriving at Valencia train station
Finally there!
Transport
This is the best way to visit daddy - 45 min bike ride down the promonade. You have to look out for trees and spanish ladies (Hunter found out!!)
Gullivers Travels
In the old river Turia (river redirected long ago after continuous flooding) there are lots of playgrounds and bike tracks. The kids are playing on a huge giant Gulliver. There are lots of slides and stairs and ropes to climb. If you look hard you can see Gullivers head behind - the kids are standing on his arm.
The Spider Web
A huge rope spider web on the beach is very cool to climb up (Mum only spent a very SHORT time at the top!!!)
The playground
It's not so bad having your cousins to play with every day!
The Bell Tower (Cathedral)
Zoe took this picture of us on top of the Bell Tower- Easter Sunday
Views from the Bell Tower
Glad we were there at 1pm and not 12 noon. The bell chimes on the hour.
View of Plaza del la Reina from the bell tower
At the top of the bell tower (Easter Sunday)
