By the time we got to the Spanish leg of our honeymoon, we had already spent a week in Liverpool and we had a second reception there for my Dad and step-Mum and all my English family and friends. It was great having two receptions! The pictures I took of Liverpool were eerily similar to those that I took in December last year so I won't bore you with those. Instead, I'll jump straight into the photos I do have of Spain.
Just in case you've ever wondered, the rain in Spain falls mainly on wherever Mandy and Stephen are during their honeymoon. It rained the entire week we were in Spain and we both got horrible colds that we took back to London with us!
We honeymooned in a place called Fuengirola which is on the Costa del Sol in Spain. On our third day there, we took a tour up to Granada and the Alhambra Palace.
Granada, Spain
May I recommend that before you go to a foreign country, you learn the very basics of the local language? We spent over a hour in the beautiful little town of Granada on our way to the Alhambra Palace but unfortunately, we did not know the Spanish word for "bathroom" and so we spent most of that time trying to locate a phrasebook. No, jumping up and down and looking desperate is not a universal sign, apparently, and incidentally, the Spanish word is servicio in that part of the world. We spent the remaining time looking to buy an umbrella on account of the aforementioned rain.
The Alhambra Palace is one of the most amazing, beautiful things I have ever seen in my life and it is only fitting that we visited on our honeymoon. It was very romantic.
(As always, click on the links for bigger pictures).
The Alhambra is surrounded by beautiful, manicured gardens.
You can immediately see the Moorish influence in the tiles. Moorish architecture has always been my favourite type of architecture and I absolutely loved Spain because of it.
That is the Alhambra Palace. It is hard to believe that is one structure because it looks like a small village!
The most outstanding items in Moorish architecture are the use of arches and tiles and the fine detail.
In Islamic art, you are not allowed to depict animals and so the Court of the Lions is unique. When we were there, we were told the statues were going to be removed but I believe they still stand today.
I took hundreds of pictures that day but unfortunately, it was seven years ago and my digital photography skills were not very good and so many pictures came out blurred or too dark.
I would definitely like to go back one day when it is warmer, sunnier and lighter. If I do ever visit Spain again, I won't hesitate to stop by the Alhambra. Still, I may not have been able to capture the beauty of the stunning Alhambra Palace with my camera but my eyes saw such amazing things that day.
Hi Emm,Some great architecture here, I like you love the Moorish style you found there, there is just something about it that appeals. A good retreat and account of your time there, just a pity about the rain.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a beautiful place! Must add it to my list, which is getting longer from reading all of these great travel and expat blogs!!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a fabulous time in SA. Can't wait to hear all about it.
The Alhambra is on my "must see" list. I didn't know that about the lions in Lion Court. I posted a postcard of it a few days ago I think.
ReplyDeleteaaaw, how i wish i could visit this place too. i fell in love with it. one day, i'll make it there.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that it just rained through your whole honeymoon. That sucks! It's a very good reason to come back & pick a sunny week though ;o)
ReplyDeleteSomeday.
ReplyDeleteWhen we did our Easter trip in 2006, we spent a day checking out the Palacio de la Aljafería in Saragossa. That was very cool.
Hi guys - I am so sorry for the very late replies. I've had a couple of personal crises in the past couple of weeks so I know you'll all forgive me!
ReplyDelete@ Martin: I found the rain added a dramatic and romantic atmosphere to the Palace but we got pretty cold at one stage!
@ JaPRA: Out of all the places I have been to, I would say that Alhambra Palace is one of the "must-visit" locations.
@ Sheila: Ha! The Palace is on my must-re-visit list too!
@ Femmepower: I'm glad you liked the entry. I tried to visit your blog but the link doesn't seem to be working?!
@ Ivanhoe: I know! But thankfully we've had more good days than bad since the honeymoon so obviously the unlucky start wasn't lasting. Later this year, I will post pictures from our second honeymoon that we took 18 months later - we had lovely weather then!
@ Forrest: Wow - that looks amazing!! I added it to my list at 43 Places