Back in sunny Spain ... Seville & Granada

I landed in Seville still slightly traumatised but oh so thankful to be away from Venice. The sun was shining and I was booked into a cheap but lovely hotel deep within the narrow cobbled streets of the old part of town.

I was a bit excited as I'd just discovered that my friends Kim and Duane from www.wright2travel.com were also in town. I met these crazy Aussies at Rawai Muay Thai camp and we had kept in touch, sharing tips and stories about our travels. We had hoped that our paths would cross in Europe but it seemed like we couldn't make it happen ... then hello! So obvs we needed a jug or two.... or three of sangria and maybe a bottle of wine to celebrate. Throw in some tapas and we had ourselves a very good night.

The next day I was back at the hospital ... not from a nasty hangover but from these bloody infected bites. Without boring you with the details, I will say the doctors in Spain aren't half as cute as their Italian counterparts but a few euros saw me jump to the head of the queue and the kick-ass drugs resulted in a big improvement within a couple of days.

I spent the next couple of days getting lost in the wonders of Seville .... the amazing cathedral, the windy cobbled streets, a protest, a religious parade complete with marching band and of course more tapas washed down with yet more sangria.

Then it was on the train to Granada to catch up with my friend Sal. Talk about reunion week!

We watched the sun set from the top of the hill above the old town then and a liquid dinner. But Granada is one of the few Spanish towns that provide free tapa with every beverage so this counted as dinner.

Granada is a very cool town, steeped in history and at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There are not one, but three cathedrals in town ... all built next to each other. One of these magnificent buildings is home to the caskets of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand.

The main attraction in Granada for most tourists is the Alhambra, the enormous hill top castle and fortress. But my favourite was the busker behind the cathedral who loved Crowded House ... his voice was amazing and I must admit I got a bit choked up when he sang 'Better be home soon'. You could pick the Aussies, even the guys were wiping tears. Was quite a moment. (Never mind the fact that the band are from NZ!)

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and jump on the bus south to the airport. My Moroccan adventures were about to begin.

Links to all photos

Spain - Seville

Spain - Granada