Good bye Sevilla, hello Lagos!

I checked out of the San Gil in Sevilla and took a taxi to the bus station.  I had really started to feel comfortable after five days in Sevilla so that made it more difficult leaving.

My bus departed on time at 12 noon.  It takes approx. 4 hours because we stop at Faro, the airport at Faro, Albufeira and Portimao before finally arriving at Lagos.

  I must say I do get stressed when making these changes. A large part is the language.  The bus driver was speaking Portuguese (I think) and so when we stopped in Faro I sort of got the drift we could use the bathroom but he was only waiting 5 minutes!  Okay when you're travelling on your own there is no one to tell him I'm not back yet and please don't leave without me.  Also do you take your belongings with you or trust that they will be okay left on the bus and you will make it back in time.  I couldn't help it and visions of me coming out of the bathroom and seeing my bus disappearing around the corner with all my stuff on board gave me a case of the nerves.  Anyhow all for not because I did make it to Lagos but then again you get dropped off and I'm supposed to contact the fellow who runs the guesthouse because he doesn't live there.  Thank heaven I got a roaming package for my phone because I have had to use it several times.  That's another stress item....is that roaming package really working?  Or will I owe thousands to Telus when I return home???  Never done this roaming package thing before....anyhow I do get hold of him and he says he's waiting for me so I say should I take a taxi?  He says well you could walk.  It's not far but I have no idea which direction so I say I'll take a cab....but there aren't any!  There's a large area marked taxi but not a one in sight.  I go over to the bus station office and wait in line to ask about the taxi and the very nice man who can speak English just says to wait...they'll come eventually or I can walk to the centre where there are lots of cabs....but where is the centre!!!  A few minutes later a cab appears....yeah!  He very slowly gets out of the cab and opens the trunk.  He stands there and waits while I LIFT MY SUITCASE into the trunk muttering under my breath "no tip for you buddy!".  I pay 6€ to go like 4 blocks....hmmmmm.
Enough complaining but I want you to get the idea that travelling isn't always a bowl of cherries.  It's stressful and getting more that way as I get older :(. I think it might be more organized tours for me in the future.  Someone else to handle the luggage, deal with language problems and make all the arrangements.  Just tell me where to turn up and pay my money.  That might be the way to go in the future.
Well the beaches here are stunning.  I'm going to kick back for the next two days and hopefully do nothing but relax...that's right after I figure out how to get a train ticket to my next destination, Evora, on Sunday!

 

Last day in Sevilla

Today I decide to take the bus in to town and rent a bike again.  I want to ride through the parks.  They are large and beautiful and this is the best way to see them. I go back to See by Bike where the people are so friendly.  I can't recommend them enough.  Because I had previously taken a tour she rents me the bike for only 5€!  What a deal.  I head off.  I'm so wobbly it's laughable.  People see me coming give me wide berth!  I ride through the Maria Louisa Park. 

It is gorgeous.  Lots of filming has been done here.  Lawrence of Arabia and also more recently Star Wars. 

 

 I then ride across the river in to Tribeca and decide (or I should say my derrière decides) that enough is enough.  I return the bike and go looking for somewhere to lunch.
While searching I come across the small shop that I had seen before but couldn't find again.  They had the boots that I saw in La Alberca but didn't have time to buy.  I decide to get a pair as a souvenir and the woman waiting on me is so nice.  Shipping them home won't work as she says it's too expensive.  If I want I can go to Federal Express and do it myself.   I decide to just carry them and she gives me a great bag.  I don't know if I'll actually wear these boots but I had to have?

I continue on to go for lunch.  I try the Mercado on the Main Street which I thought was a large restaurant however turns out to be my best find.  It is a large building situated on the river housing all sorts of different eateries and places for a drink.  You can wander about and choose a dish from here, another from there, a glass of wine from here or a beer from over there.  Then you can find a table either inside or outside, sit and feast.  Brilliant!

 
I catch the bus back to the hotel for some down time.  I will try a restaurant called Duo Tapas tonight for my last dinner in Sevilla then start to pack.  Tomorrow I catch the bus at noon to Lagos, Portugal.

Duo Tapas was another excellent find.  While waiting for them to open at 8:00 I treat myself to sangria and then enjoyed several tapas.  Thank heaven for GPS otherwise I would probably still be wandering the winding streets of Sevilla.
 

 

 

 

Tuesday (Diverbo)

Since we were all up late last night because of our party we have an easier day today.  After breakfast at 9:00 we head to La Alberca at 10:00.  Some interesting facts were presented by Sam.  It would seem that the Templar Knights were common in this area.  

This was also a stop over for pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compestello.  It's very hot today but we go to a cool 'cavern' for lunch.  Roast suckling pig.  We also visit a place where we are shown the true art of slicing ham and the different flavours.  Served with red wine it is delicious.  I try my hand at slicing theham 

and also shooting wine in not my mouth from a wine skin (I was representing Canada....heh, someone's got to do it!). 

I also see a shop that has amazing boots.  I'm so tempted to buy a pair.

After walking back from town I quickly change and head to the pool.  So refreshing and we have just over an hour before our next function.  Another dinner with great red wine and company and then Alan gets me to participate in tequila shooters at the bar with three others.  It's a learning curve but I managed to down it!  ARGHHHHHH!  Back to my room.  Another full day tomorrow. 

Sevilla

Today is Saturday and I leave Madrid and take the train to Sevilla. The train station in Madrid is beautiful with a large atrium in it.

And who do I run in to?  Bruce from Diverbo.  He is on his way home which is close to Malaga.

Fairly flat landscape between Madrid and Sevilla.

It's only 2.5 hours to Sevilla however there is quite a change in temperature.  It's close to 40 when we arrive at 2:30.  I catch a taxi to my hotel, San Gil.

  My room is quite nice and I get settled and explore a bit.  There is a small pool however it's full so I pass on that.  I talk to the girl at the front desk who calls and books a tour by bicycle, See By Bike tours.  I decide to try and get my bearings so I wander out into a maze of streets.  I find two grocery stores and after quite a long walk I find the bicycle rental shop.  I might keep a bike after the tour if I feel comfortable.  Seville is very bikeable.  We'll see.
After I return to San Gil I make arrangements to have dinner in the courtyard.  There is a Flamenco dancer tonight.  

Food was okay but I'll have to see what else is close by.  Off to bed.

Monday in Seville

Today I will use my Hop On Hop Off pass to get around.  I get on the bus in Macarena which is my neighbourhood. 

 My first stop is the bus station to purchase my ticket to go to Lagos, Portugal on Thursday.  It's about a 4 hour ride but there isn't a train that connects between the two countries.
I then walk further in to the old district and decide to see the bull ring.  This structure is one of the oldest in the world.  I go for a tour.  The building is spotless.  There aren't any bull fights in August as it is too hot (not that I have any intention of going).  I learned that bull fighting started as part of training for soldiers.  They chose the bull as they felt it was the strongest animal in the world.  Poor Bulls!

 

I then head to Starbucks for an iced latte.  Couldn't resist.  It's around 40 degrees by noon and the perspiration is running freely.  I know, too much information.  Today there is a breeze so it's okay and I think I'm getting used to it.  I decide to tour Alcazar which is a royal palace.  I have seen the Alhambra in Granada and this is similar however a bit smaller.  The gardens are beautiful.

  I have arranged to attend a concert in the garden on Tuesday evening.  This is something offered during the summer months and they say that with the lighting in the gardens it is a magical event.  Looking forward to it.

I then find a small restaurant where I sit outside and enjoy a cold beer and a couple of tapas.  This will be dinner.

 

I'm tired so it's time to hop the bus and go back to my hotel to clean up.  After a couple of hours I head out to catch the bus again.  It's 8:30 and sort of a bit cooler.  I get off at a stop not far from my hotel as I've been told of a place that has the best ice cream in Seville.  I find it a challenge to find a particular place in this land of winding, narrow streets.  I find it and have some lemon ice cream but also chocolate/orange ice cream.  Should have said small cup but no....I say medium and of course have to eat the whole thing! Oink!

This structure is referred as the 'mushroom' due to its shape.  It's a large structure that provides shade to a large area.  It's quite a landmark.
 
 
I wait quite a while for the next bus but want to go the route at night to see all the lights.  It's very beautiful.  I arrive back at 11:00 pm.  This city is very safe.  I don't worry at all.  I treat myself to a cold glass of Vino Blanc and sit in the courtyard.  It's off to bed.

Monday (Diverbo)

Another busy day but today I got to go horseback riding.  I went with Pamela from Ireland but unfortunately the only time we could go was 3:30 in the afternoon.  Way too hot.  The horses were great and I would have loved to canter but it turned out that Pamela was too nervous and we ended up going back to the stables.  I felt badly for her but I wish I could have ridden more.  It was disappointing.

 

Tonight we are having a party and they are anticipating that we will be up late.  Tomorrow they are taking us to the town of La Alberca for lunch and shopping.  I'd better get showered and "dressed up" for tonight!

Sunday biking

Well today I decided to get up early.  Set the alarm for 7 am.  Just about killed me but I was determined to try and beat the heat and get out early.  The plan was to have afternoon siesta but that never happened.  I had breakfast at the hotel as it was included.  Quite an impressive buffet.  Only catch was the coffee machine.  Hadn't used one like that before but finally figured it out.  Love the way the Europeans do hot milk in their coffee.  I'm going to have to do that when I get home.
I then headed off walking and exploring more of the area where my hotel is located.  It's called the Macarena District.  

 I then took the C4 bus which takes me down by the river.  I get off at the Bull Ring and wander around. 

 I find the Cathedral and a couple of other things I want to go back and check out.

  I go to See By Bike for 10:30 and meet Emily my tour guide.

There are just two other people on my tour.  Francesca and Nicola from Italy.

We were told that the significance of the lion and the two balls is that Spain (being the lion) dominates Europe and America (portrayed by the two balls).

 

 I'm really surprised we have such a small group.  Bonus!  We tour on our bikes for 3 hours.  I'm a little shakey at first as I haven't ridden in a while but then get the hang of it.  It's all relatively flat so that makes it easier.  Emily is great at providing information and before you know it we're back and it's 1:30.  I try to find a restaurant that Emily suggested but it's like a maze of little streets.  I finally settle on one and order a cold beer, calamari and something else that I can't remember.  After that I decide to tour the Cathedral as it opens at 2:30.  The line up for tickets takes about 45 minutes in the afternoon sun.  Thank heaven I brought my hat.  I needed it.  And a giant bottle of water.  Once inside I opt for the audio guide.  Waste of money as it's incredibly hard to figure where you are.  Nothing is numbered or named.  I give up and just look around.  Hate to say it....but just another cathedral!

  When I see them all I can see is the wealth that was poured into the churches at a time when people went hungry.  Not good.  Anyhow I decide to walk back via the "short" route.  It would be short if you didn't get lost but after winding my way through a maze of streets I finally get back an hour later.  Almost gave up and took a taxi!
Then as I am a glutton for punishment I want to try finding the restaurant, Perro Viejo that Emily had recommended.  It's a tapas bar.  I head off at 8:30 as that's when the bar opens,  relying on my phone and GPS to get me there and it works!   Took about 15 minutes.  Nice place.  I order cerviche which is really spicy but good and also a chicken teriyaki dish.  Top it off with a tequila drink and it was yummy. 

 

 I GPS'd my way back and there you go!  Bob's your uncle! Tomorrow I'm sleeping in and then it's on the Hop On, Hop Off bus.