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!
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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)
9 comments:
Hi to the Sharp family,
How cool was your cave hotel? It's a wonder that Zoe and Hunter wanted to leave there. Glad to hear you got some time to explore the country side. How's the Spanish going?
We have just celebrated Alex's 7th birthday. How fast they grow. Eagerly awaiting a snowfall so that we can sell some more product. Koen off to Mexico next week to attend the launch of the Reef womens wear range. I am pretty excited about this !
Lots of love Koen, Sonya, Sam And Alex
The cave hotel looks like fun Zoe!
You have had an exciting week. We will be watching out for that bull in the playground sometime in July.
Yes there is more to Morocco than Tangier, trust me. The same camel I rode a long time ago will probably STILL be giving rides when Zoe does the big OE.
We had a special sharing day at school today. Each class shared their learning about a different destination. Of course we shared Spain and we gave everyone a peice of yummy orange from Valencia!
Raewyn
Happy Birthday Zoe for the 3rd of June! Hope you have a wonderful day and that you get a bit spoilt.
We remember Alex's first birthday party when Mummy and Daddy weren't there, because they were at the hospital having you!
Lots of love Koenraad,Sonya Sam & Alex
This is to wish Zoe a very happy
6th birthday - hope you have a lovely day. Kerri, Graham, Sam William and Izzey are here this weekend, Jessica is competing in a swimming competition at Moana pool in Dunedin this weekend (Queen's Birthday holiday) and is staying with the team at a backpackers hostel - they are off shortly to watch the morning session.
Lots of love from us all to you, and to Hunter. XXXXXXX
Rod and Pom,
great to see the pictures etc of the trip to Morocco. also a great start 2-0 -- I watched most of the first race - very exciting.
All for now - hope this gets to you ok
Luv Ann and Tom, Grandma and Poppa
3RD JUNE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOE!! HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT DAY. THINKING OF YOU. LOTS OF LOVE, NANA JILL
Happy Birthday Zoe,
I hope you are having fun in Spain.
Best Wishes from Samantha.
Happy Birthday Zoe! What does a Spanish Birthday cake look like? We hope you had a great time. We were very excited tonight because we saw you and your Dad on ONE News.
HUNTER :Alicia would also like to say a big HELLO to Hunter. She would like to ask "why do you live in a cave?" She thinks you are a very good balancer by looking at some of these photo's. Can you come and visit her soon? And, she wants to come over to ride on the horse.
ZOE: What do you do for school work? How long did you live in the cave for? Do you like being in Spain? Do you watch the yacht races? I am watching it on TV and hope Team NZ win. Love from Laura
Hi Laura and Alicia,
Thanks for your note.
We only STAYED in the cave one night silly's.... it was fun but we don't LIVE in it!
Hi Laura, living in Spain is cool -especially re school work - Mummy only makes me write a couple of sentences in my diary a day (she says that she is exhausted after that effort - good ploy on my behalf I reckon!!). And when we get home I would like our own big swimming pool and tennis court like the one we have here. Mum says she "would like a convertible car and a foot massage every day too!" whenever I ask for that though! I think both our chances are slim.
Hi Sammy
Great to hear from you. How are you? What have you been doing?
Love from Zoe
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