Blau Girls Do Spain

After our day in Malaga, We headed off to see the Alhambra.  It was so nice just to visit with my sweet sisters and Mom.  Road trips are the best.  Warning!  Lots of photos in this post!

 

 

We didn't manage to get tickets for the Nasrid Palaces.  We didn't expect it to be busy in Oct.  but is was.  The Generalife and it's gardens and Charles V were enough to tire us out and we didn't feel like we missed out too badly.

How beautiful is my Mom, and how many people's outfit coordinates with the scenery?

My sisters extolled the advantages of having a wheel chair rider in the group, especially in the air port.  You get to skip most of the lines. 

This is the 'water stair', water runs down a channel in the hand rail.  It's great for leaf races.

The sisters kept wondering if things were 'original'.  The answer is always original to when?  This complex has been changed and added onto by everyone since it was started in 900 ad.  Of course the drinking fountain and electric lights are very recent.

Granada (which means pomegranate).

The chauffer kept letting go on this hill.  Watch out Disneyland!

We are looking at the star shaped windows in the bath house.

Listening to the echo in Charles V 's palace.  My sisters were the ones who told me about this.  I had never know about it.

We should have a photo contest ...

A gardener's paradise.

If you read last weeks post, you saw the 'serious' version.  Rod and I did one of these when we were here the last time so we girls had to do it too.   Hey, what girls don't love dressing up, as Moorish princesses no less. 

 We had lunch in Granada, in an Italian restaurant, then drove home.  We were all glad to rest.The next day we went to Mijas Pueblo, one of the 'white towns' perched on the side of the mountains, quaint and beautiful and fun!


The town is known for it's burro taxis.  We didn't spend the time, but we grabbed a photo with this one.

Our heart spans the ocean... or some thing like that.

We got to shop a small ferria or craft fair. 

I believe this was our supper in Fuengirola.

The Med at night.

The next day we drove to Seville,  past miles and miles and more miles of olive trees

The Alcazaba in Seville.

Detail of the plaster work under an arch.

 Because the Moors were much more strict about avoiding any 'graven images', their art is based on script usually from the Scriptures, plant motifs, or geometry which was considered a kind of praise of God. The designs are just stunning.

Yes, I know, another door.

Cute sister Nielson from the office joined us for this trip.

This palace has these Astounding tapestries dating from the 1600s.  Think about the weight of the fabric alone. Now think about sewing on the middle of a piece this big, ummm sans machines.  Blows my mind!

 Extensive and gorgeous gardens surround this palace too.

This is a water organ, apparently an organ powered by a water wheel of some sort.  We couldn't see the machinery, but we heard the music.  We are such wimps using electricity for everything.

Just outside the Alcazar is the Sevilla Cathedral.

 While we were waiting in line to enter, we met Miles' twin.  Well, at least I thought there was a striking resemblance to the photos I have of him a year or so ago.

 

 These Cathedrals are such amazing structures.  Think about anything that takes 200 years to build.  No one person can see it through from beginning to end, money has to be collected to fund the construction, And they are so OLD..This is Columbus' tomb.  The castle and lion on the bearers' tabards represent Isabel and Ferdinand.  Ceremonies are still conducted in the room of the Alcazar where Columbus met and received permission from them to sail to the Indies.

I was waiting in the courtyard for the sisters who were climbing the tower.  I peeked into someone's office window.  Talk about office art! 

We encountered a demonstration as we were leaving. 

This sunset topped off our day!

Our last day was more relaxed.  We shopped at the grocery store, found souvenirs, and lounged on the beach.          

            

 

We collected rocks and shells.  We don't even have little kids with us to blame it on.

 That evening we ate in a restaurant on the edge of the bay. 

It even has a functioning light house!

For dessert we had ice cream.  I had to photograph their special flavor of the  month!

We all had such a wonderful time.  There just aren't words for my feelings.  Rod and I are so grateful we were able to share our beautiful Spain with family.   To top it all off, my sweet sisters and Mom hauled our suitcases home for us too.  We will only have to travel with our carry on cases thanks to them.  What amazing women they are.  I am so blessed!!!