Wednesday 25 April 2012  - Granada’s great Alhambra.

Day 13 and 145 to go

7am already! Where did the night go? We haven’t seen this early in a long while. But with exploring to do there would be no complaints just a quick change, breakfast and the 15min stroll into town to wait for the bus that arrived 5min later.

We joined the worker ants on the early morning commute. Arriving in the centre of town at 8.30am. From there it was a bit of a guess. We found a sign pointing to the Alhambra so we began walking the main street before stumbling across the red bus we were told to catch by the campground staff. Thank goodness we found it, as it was another 20min trip up very narrow and steep streets, made more for travelling on a donkey and not a small bus.  However the bus driver delivered us safely at the doors of the Alhambra.

We found the ticket office easily and bought our tickets quickly, as there was no line, due to our early start WOOH HOO!

We entered the ground and walked through the manicured gardens toward the bathes of the mosque. Though not a working bathe house you could imagine how it would have soothed the many bodies before prayer.

We continued on to the Alcazaba. This is the oldest part of the Alhambra and is the military area. We walked through and up into the Round tower. There were great views over the local area as well as back into the Alhambra. We then continued to the garden walk with orange trees and myrtles. Was very peaceful.

We wandered into the central circle of the Palacio de Carlos V. This now contains museums and halls. 

The next area to explore was the Generalife. This was built as a recreation area for the Granada royalty and contains a palace, gardens and water stairs. We wandered between the growing number of tour groups of all nationalities, squeezing in photos between the people. Sometimes I needed to be very patient at other times it was a case of take the picture as quick as you could as you wouldn’t get another clear opportunity. 

We wandered back towards the Alcazaba as the other two areas to see were accessed through here, though we couldn’t go in until 12.30pm. With an hour to kill we found a place to buy a drink and sandwich and then sat enjoying the view and the sunshine. It was a beautiful spot to soak it all in.

After waiting for our turn we entered the third area; Nasrid Palaces. This area contains three palaces. All of them are intricately designed with a typical Islamic flair. It really was quite beautiful. Surrounded by gardens and water features. They were built between 1314- 1391. The Alhambra itself was stared in 1237 by Muhammad l al-Ahmar. I found my head spinning in all directions, as there was so much to see. Following through the palaces we entered the final area: Partal. This contained the portico of the palace, garden and the promenade tower. I was still stunned at how large the area was. It is understandable why this was the last Islamic strong hold in Spain with it sheer size and position on the hill. Though it was surrendered to the Catholic monarchs in 1492 and extensive alterations were completed. In 1984 it was world heritage listed. 

With all the corners covered we made a hasty exit. It was not surprising just how busy it had become.

We made it on to the little red bus yet again, but this time it was so much busier. We alighted in Granada; finding a bar with wifi where I could do a check for campgrounds, check email and facebook. It was a funky little café full of American students.

Now caught up on the goings on at home we walked the main street Gran Via, back to our bus stop and home to Peligros. It was again packed with teenagers going home after school. Rowdy it was. Arriving in the town we had the final long uphill leg to the van. PHEW!

Making it back into the van, opening up the windows, changing to summer clothing and opening a wine or in Paul’s case the next 2 beers on the list, Alhambra especial and premium. CHEERS.

We spent a lot of time sitting around and recouping after our day out. We enjoyed the wine and company before having dinner and starting to think about tomorrow. Cordoba and Malaga.

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