Departure

Early start for departure. No swimming this morning, and very casual breakfasting. Tim grabbed 20 euros from the ATM in anticipation of having to pay a toll on the way to Valencia. We had deliberately spent all our paper money on Friday thinking we didn't want to be saddled with money we weren't likely to need, but we had neglected to think of road tolls.

All packed up, we headed out of town with Tim driving and Blair navigating. Tim made passengers nervous photographing the median flowers through the windshield, but he wanted to show the robust bushes that did so well in this arid climate.

These median flowers were not identified, but they were robust and everywhere, in spite of arid climate.

We arrived at the airport in good time, easy car return, and easy checking in. We expressed our concern for the fact that we were worried about making our connecting flight in Lisbon, given the drama we had experienced when we arrived. They said we'd have to deal with that in Lisbon. We then found our gate after cruising through security, and discovered that our flight would be delayed by 25 minutes. Now we were convinced we'd miss our connection. When we asked the check-in woman at the departure gate, she said the problem was at the Lisbon end and we shouldn't worry. While boarding we met a Rhode Island couple who were making the same connection. The flight attendent on our Valencia flight assured us that we would be taken care of once we landed in Lisbon.

Our plane awaits at Valencia

So, easy flight to Lisbon with some of our crew snoozing. Once landed, the female component of our new Rhode Island pals started waving her hands and yelling "Boston!". We were ushered onto a shuttle, and when we disembarked we were grabbed by multiple attendents who hurried us to the front of the line at security, and then led us on a literal run to the gate, which was, of course, at the far end of the airport. Leila and Tim were stragglers. Leila experienced some asthma-like symptoms that gave her discomfort for a half hour or so, but once we were seated on our flight, we settled in and enjoyed our 6 hour and 50 minute flight as best we could, with sleeping, movies, and food...free beer!

Landed in Boston around 5:15, cruised through customs, and then discovered that our bags hadn't made it. Resigned to going home without luggage, we headed for the exit, anticipating a rescue by our hero, Ed, who cruised to the curb and shuttled the weary travelers home. What a guy.

Got a call Sunday morning from JFK in New York...one of our bags made it there, but the other three are somewhere in limbo land. My little bag won't show up before Wednesday. Who knows when the rest will appear, if ever.

That's it. We're home and happy to be so. It was an amazing trip, with major credit to Blair for finding us the very special place we camped out on the beach at  Altea. Having that as our base colored the whole trip, and that was important.

Friday, July 1 - Last day

Our last full day dawned as most of them have - warm, sun getting ready to shine bright, street cleaners and shop keepers getting things organized for the day, and joggers and dog walkers passing by on the walkway between us and the ocean. Periodic buzzing of scooters punctuating the soft silence of morning.

I'm writing this on Sunday morning, after we're back in Westport, so my memory may not be perfect. However, everyone up reasonably early. Leila, Tim and Blair in for a morning dip. Tim thinking about our almost empty gas tank and concerned we should go searching for fuel so we get back early enough to find a good parking spot near our apartment. Leila and Deana want to explore the white pebbly beach at the west end of Altea, so Tim and Blair offer them a ride out there on their way for fuel. Drop them off near the beach with the promise we'd look for them once we're all gassed up.

The search for fuel turned out being a little more adventurous than we had thought. Blair thought we should head in the general direction of Benidorm to have the best chance of finding fuel soon before running out completely. One road led to another until we found ourselves actually in downtown Benidorm, the realm of the very tall buildings. Now we're a littler concerned...running on vapors and finding ourselves deeper and deeper into the bowels of an alien city....no gas stations in site. We eventually head in a direction we think is out of town, pull over to the curb and Blair gets out to inquire within a small shop while Tim cools his heals in the car. Blair eventually emerges stating that the guy said to keep going the direction we were already headed and we'd stumble on diesel. Google Girl had been no help at all, suggesting the nearest place was 47K away.

Sure enough, a fuel station appeared on our right and we pulled up. We were surrounded by unnaturally tall buildings for such a tropical-like place.

All dieseled up, we headed back to Altea in hopes of finding the women before they had walked all the way back to the apartment. We were too late. Leila and Deana had had a nice time at the beach and were puttering around the apartment when we returned.

The rest of the day was relaxed, with some Eucher, which Deana and Blair won AGAIN! A last swim, some preliminary packing for our departure the next morning, and finally dressing for our final evening fling...walk up to Old Town for last minute gift shopping and dinner on the roof of the Indian restaurant. Many of the shops weren't open yet...another example of the Spaniards getting things rolling later in the day than we were used to, particularly in this mountain-top Altea Old Town, where the fun just begins after 7:00 pm. 

Tim and Blair camped out at one of the cafes on the square while Leila and Deana checked out the shops that were open. A giant truck rolled into the square, an army of people appeared and started setting up for what appeared to be a wedding reception. Lots of folding tables being set up, a food serving area being assembled, and decorations and table settings being deployed. Even spotted what looked like the bride and groom strolling down an alley.

Dinner on the roof was very nice, although we were all pretty beat. Stopped to pick up gifts that had been wrapped for travel by the shopkeeper, paused for one last gelato, and returned to the apartment, did final packing rituals, and to bed.

Golfing at La Sella

Thursday 6/30/16
Well, we’ve been in Spain a week! Golf day for the guys. Deana and Blair up first making omelets and coffee, and Tim and Leila up just after. After the guys ate, they went happily off to golf at a place about an hour away. Deana had a sleepless, uncomfortable night so went right back to bed. Leila did a bunch of house cleaning – dishes, laundry, sweeping – then went down for a swim around 9. I (Leila) met an older man who had been swimming but was searching the rocks for (as he explained) his keys! I had recognized him from our apartment complex and he was able to explain that when he picked up his towel he forgot about the keys. So we searched together and Voila! I found them for him. The look of relief and gratitude on his face was indescribable. He thanked me and kissed me on both cheeks and I felt like a hero!
After the swim, Leila took a trip to the masymas (supermarket) for a water and more eggs so Deana could have her omelet when she woke up as she selflessly used all the eggs for the guys.
When I got back Deana was up and we are taking it easy and waiting to hear from Bettine as we had plans to hang out with her while the guys were golfing.

Blair here—the golf guys left at 7 for an 8.40 tee time at La Sella, a resort/real estate Development type course designed by a well known Spanish golfer, Jose Maria Olazabel.  Nice course in good shape—Tim played better golf than Blair in lovely weather—only hot for the last two holes.  On the other hand, $8+ for two Cokes seemed a bit steep.  The course was entertaining, albeit almost impossible to navigate in places as the cart pathes didn't always follow intuitive routes. The course was comprised of three nine holers, and one was closed for the day. We required an escort from the ninth hole to the start of our second nine, which was a circuitous passage following the white haired guide around and about, pausing for a chat with some grounds keepers, and then depositing us at our 10th hole. The back nine was more pictureskew with mountain vistas and various encounters with golf course fauna, including some cute ducks splashing around near the tee, swans, and some very cute snowy egrets.  Tim was enthralled with a water lily flower that was pink, as opposed to the Georgian bay white. The picture of the golf ball resting against the pin, essentially in the hole, was a swell putt by Tim from off the green...highlight of the round for him.

A putt from off the green, at least 25 feet, snuck into the hole. Shot of the day for Tim.

As usual, Ms Google had her own ideas as to the appropriate routing, taking us on a short-cut through some orchards instead of staying on the main road going to the course and through the middle of a small town on the way back,  We also got lost on the golf course a couple of times, adding to our lengthening string of navigational entertainments.  I am sure that we get lost at least three times a day to this point—the next few days should bring the average down, because we don’t plan on going anywhere…  By the way, I have not posted our scores because I don’t know how to count in Spanish (Tim was in the low 80’s, thanks in part to some generous rulings from the marshals.)

Granada Day 2- Alhambra

Granada Day 2
We are definitely getting used to the late nights of eating and to bed close to midnight- there was daylight well past 10pm. Slept well in air conditioning, in fact a bit too cold (at least for Leila’s taste anyway). Got up for an early 7am breakfast at the hotel, packed and checked out. We were able to leave our bags at the hotel while we ventured off to the Alhambra. Started up the road our hotel was on as Blair chose an excellent hotel that was closest to our destination. It was a steady up hill for about 15 minutes mostly in the shade of well kept trees and greenery – very pleasant. Our ticket to enter was for 9:30, so we had a little time to look around the exterior before we got on line to enter. The palace was amazing – best described in pictures. It brought back (for me, Leila) a taste of the palaces and mosques I saw in Iran. What was more significant is that the same detail of ornate tiles and architecture and the availability of water that must come from under ground  springs that created such luxury, was all  built on top of a steep hill top. In Iran (of 45 years ago-yikes!) many of the palaces and mosques seen were still intact and the bright colors of the tiles still vibrant, but these were not built on a high precipice. The Alhambra’s views were grand and the grounds grander…
After viewing the palace we wandered around and up the grounds viewing gardens and areas where the “general life” (of the grand people!) lived and luxuriated. Pictures represent the general overwhelmingness of this place. They don't do it justice, but here's a large sampling:

This guy was behind a screen restoring a fountain. I squeezed my phone through an opening in the screen and caught him at work.

This pigeon flew in and perched on the vertical face of the wall

Reflecting pool

This vaulted ceiling was damaged, so one is able to see the construction...fascinating to one such as I.

Deana and Leila deciphering Arabic writing on a wall panel.

New hat

The Arch of Misdirection, so named because it lured us onto the wrong path and we had to back track.

Lots of these labyrinthine constructions that were not identified. Deana thought maybe bathes. Tim suggested some kind of market place, or pens for animals. Never found out.

 The day had started out cool but turned very hot and by mid-day we were tired and hungry. We stopped at a restaurant (another tourist one) at the top and had drinks and shared some food. We had planned to have a real lunch later, but in the end we just wanted some ice cream to get us through. We anticipated seeing more of the grounds and other palaces on our way back down, but the heat drove us on, and we ascended the hill – straining knees and calves – till we arrived at our hotel. We gathered our bags, had our ice cream on route to the car and took off by 2pm with Deana at the wheel.
The trip back was uneventful, thank goodness! Deana and Blair (with the Google lady’s help) got us out of Granada and on the highway quite easily. Leila took over driving half-way at a rest stop, where snacks and drinks were purchased for sustaining us for the rest of our return trip. Tim bought a bag of potatoe chips that tasted like they had been soaked in motor oil. Chips were tasted and rejected by all but Tim, who persisted in sampling them until even he, the garbage disposer of the crew, couldn't stand them any more. They were relegated to the trash bag and we all tried masking the aftertaste with anything, but the residual remains of the motor oil persisted for most of the way back to Altea.  We arrived at Altea shortly after 6. Tim, Blair and Leila immediately took off for a swim. The waves were quite high again, but we managed to get in without difficulty. However, Tim in attempting to ride the waves in, landed on the rocky shallows on his bum again and got tossed by at least 3 good waves before he could stand up. Blair commented that there were 4 life guards on duty just to watch the 3 crazy old Americans get tossed by the waves.
We then decided to have dinner next door at The Columbus which was recommended to us by several people. We sat on the terrace outside and decided we could really get used to this kind of easy life! The food was ok, some better than others…Deana’s shrimp were not very satisfactory, Blair’s steak moderately good, and Tim’s pasta was excellent as was Leila’s paella.
We came back to the apartment and managed one round of Euchre that T & L actually managed to win, amazingly! Then to bed for an early rise for the guys to play golf in AM.