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Seville, Spain

Usual routine, becoming one of the locals at our breakfast bar spot – did I mention their coffee is fantastic? Our plan for the day was to visit the palace and gardens of Alcazar which interests us for the Moorish style. It was amazing and I just went gaga again, not knowing where to look or how to photograph it with justice. The more you stopped to look; the more detail you saw.

The moorish style is characteristic of arches, domes, intricate carving and fabulous tiles. If you look at the close up of the big brown dome ceiling you can see graduation of colour accents and I marvel on how they did it back then without cherry pickers and modern equipment to help. The tiles were so varied and they clashed patterns and designs in such a delightful way. Window and doors sills are grandly decorated with tiles and carving. Tiles also featured outside in the gardens amongst the cobbles and inside fountains culminating in a grand ‘tile house’ which we sat and enjoyed its wild variations for some time.

The palace started off in the 10th century as an Islamic quarter and then got built for the the Spanish royals in the moorish style around 12th century for King Peter 1. It is world heritage and oldest palace still in use by royals in Europe. The outside gardens are also beautiful. The scent of roses and orange blossom was very relaxing as we wandered around ponds, fountains, tile houses, english gardens, mazes, moorish gardens and more. One king built an underground swimming pool for his mistress under the palace, together with a courtyard garden, the later which was destroyed in an earthquake.

I can’t say too much more, as it was just one of those things you have to experience yourself to get it. In one room is a painting of Mary above an alter where the sailors and explorers would pray before setting off on voyages. Queen Isabella built it and held court with the likes of Columbus. Interesting to note that he is included in the painting (blonde hair) together with native Americans. This is the first time they were painted in Europe.

When we got home later, I asked Vern if he was just taken by the palaces beauty or did he also take time to reflect that we stood in probably the same spot as Columbus when he returned from discovering America and spoke with the Queen? And that we walked the same halls as great historical figures and stood in the bedchamber where Queen Isabella gave birth to Prince Phillip 1? No he hadn’t thought of it – I hadn’t either as the place was so grand the beauty overtook the history, but its great to think of it now while the feeling is fresh. We spent 4 hours there but the time flew!

Afterwards we went for a wander through little lanes and streets in search of dinner and came across a plaza with a big mushroom shaped structure that you could pay to go up on. I think it was built for the big expo a few years ago. Where there is a tower Vern must climb, so up we went 🙂 The views were great although I was pleased to get down as the jolly thing moved a bit when you walked like a sway bridge.

We then happened across a churro shop, where we sampled the best fluffy and crunchy Churro with thick chocolate dipping chocolate before taking a traditional stroll through the shops towards home where we had a late dinner at a little place on our street.

The meat here is lovely, not sure if it is pork or beef half the time but asked with trepidation in case it was horse, and with signs like charades and simple words got assured it was pork! We had our own strips to cook on a small charcoal burner accompanied by fries and salad. The fries were swimming in olive oil and soggy like old fashioned ones, served with crusty bread to mop up the oil and juices – Loosen those belts!

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