Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Granada Spain

With a bit of a headache from New Year's celebrations, Em and I headed east to Granada for our next stop.


The late night hostel guy in Granada decided to go with Emily and I to some natural hot springs outside of town. Good thing he came with us because it was in the boonies, but well worth it.



Downtown Granada

River walk scene.


The Sierra Nevada mountains....don't they know we already took that name back in 1542 when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sighting the Santa Cruz Mountains while off the peninsula of San Francisco, gave them the name Sierra Nevada meaning "snowy saw teeth". Wait a sec let me push my glasses up a bit more hmm hmmmmm.


Soaking up Granada in a patch of Olive trees.


Alhambra: The short and sweet story is it was completed in the 1300's at the end of the Muslim rule in Spain. On January 2nd, 1492 the fortress and Granada were overtaken by the Spanish conquest of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I.


In 'celebration' of the Spanish conquest, we happened to be there on the only day (Jan 2nd) anyone is allowed to ring the bell. I just happened to be the 742nd person to do so that day...pretty special huh?


Emily was ringer #751.


Looking into the military confines of Alhambra.


A great view of Granada from Alhambra. Take note of the enormity of the Cathedral in the middle of the picture.




Reflection pool in the Patio de los Arrayanes.


It is mind-numbing thinking how long it must have taken to carve these details all over the palace. I'm actually surprised the Muslim art was left when the Christians took over.


They put a little more into interior decorating than drywall and Spackle.


Likewise with the ceilings.


Outside the palace.

Go green team!


If I had a dollar for every time Emily said lets get married here, I think I could buy.....a Snuggie (2 easy payments of $9.99?)


Palacio de Generalife and then off to Valencia.

1 comment:

  1. Do it, get married there, that would be a great reason to take a sweet trip! Great pics.

    ReplyDelete