Started to look up the address to the hotel so we could find our way there and realized that the reservation was for TOMORROW night, not tonight. Slight panic until I opened my hotel booking app and found tons of available hotels. Booked a cheap hostel with a private bath, and we took off to the metro station to get downtown. A couple of train changes later, we found the street the hostel was on, but couldn't find the building. A kind english-speaking woman observed us walking up and down the street with our backpacks and luggage and offered to help us. She found the building for us, but there wasn't a sign outside, so we went into the lobby and found the sign pointing to the second floor. Hostel Rosa Dura.
Our room wasn't ready yet, so we left our luggage in the office and went in search of breakfast. I was running on fumes and really needed to sleep by now. So we took off walking around the neighborhood to stay awake. We found a nice park and sat on the park benches with the old folks and winos. We watched grandparents bringing their grandkids to the park to play. And the HUGE pigeons.
Finally, it was 11am and we returned to the hostal.
The hostal was a clean bed and private bathroom, and nothing else. That's all we needed because I needed to collapse - I was so tired. I undressed and hit the bed. Slept the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon. We woke up and went out for supper and then took the metro to the waterfront to find the tourist information center. We got maps and tourist information and then went back to the hostal and crashed.
Frank's cold was alive and well in me. I was really feeling rotten. Woke up coughing and hacking several times. Not a good night.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
11 - May -- Mijas Costa - Fuengirola - Seville - Lisbon
Got up and packed everything (had to duck-tape duffle bag last night) for our trip to Lisbon.
Had the last breakfast in the condo. Dropped the last egg that I was saving for today on the counter. I scooped it up and into the frying pan. Ick factor wasn't too bad.
Walked to the reception desk to check out of the room and to leave our luggage in storage.
Walked to the McDonald's for lunch. Got the wrong directions from the reception hostess.
They had beer on tap at the McDonald's!!
Walked back to the reception and sat at the closed poolside bar to read. Couldn't really surf the net because their wifi was so slow. Finally took a taxi to the bus station in Fuengirola. Had coffee and cake at the cafe next door while waiting for bus.
Boarded bus and headed out for the 10 hour long overnight trip to Lisbon. Bus was very uncomfortable. No wifi, no movie. After midnight, the bus driver would occasionally drift over to the warning bumps on the side of the highway. I looked around and I was the only other person awake on the bus. I was reading my book, but also keeping an eye on him. I figured I'd scream and throw my book at him if he started to leave the hightway. There was no way I was going to get any sleep on this bus.
Arrived in Libson at 6:00 am. Too early for the bus station cafe. Had to wait until 6:30 for them to open.
08 May -- Costa del Sol - Riviera Resort
Made a big ham, onion, garlic, tomato, and egg omelet this morning. I think I've finally figured out the secret to good cafe con leche!!
Went to the reception desk to ask about bus service to Lisbon. Also asked about when our shower door might be fixed. Took the resort bus to the main campus for the free wifi, but there were kids around the pool playing online games and taking up all the bandwidth, so I didn't get my photos uploaded.
We had seen a bazaar set up in the main shopping area parking lot, so we decided to walk back to our condo so we could go through it. I've been wanting to purchase a new hat because the one I have is functional but ugly. Unfortunately, by the time we made it to the shopping area, it was siesta time and the vendors were packing up to leave. I did get some dried figs and dates, though.
We walked the rest of the way back and stopped at the pharmacia for some more decongestant for Frank. Then we stopped at the supermercadio for some bread and a treat for dessert. I made hamburger patties, creamed spinach, and roasted rosemary potatoes for dinner.
I tried to purchase bus tickets for our trip on Sunday, but couldn't get the transaction to go through. We decided to try to take the public bus system to Fuengirola tomorrow to buy tickets at the station. I'm a little nervous about that, but Frank will be with me so at least we'll be lost together if we get on the wrong bus or if anything goes wrong.
We just sat in the condo and out on the balcony reading the rest of the day and evening. Nice to be able to chill.
07 May -- Tangier, Morocco
Took the high-speed ferry to Tangier, Morocco this morning.
Got to ride a camel, have a snake around my neck!
Visited the Necropolis, the Bazaar, and the Casba!
Had lunch at a traditional Moroccan Restaurant, chicken with couscous.
Danced as the musicians played traditional Moroccan music, the musicians loved it, they clapped and smiled.
There was an old man sitting on a stoop in the bazaar next to the bakery. All the tourists were gathered around the tour guide, ignoring the old man. He was neatly dressed, his gray hair clean, trimmed, and combed. His shoes were old, but well cared for. His skin was dark, but his eyes were blue. He seemed at peace, sitting among all the oblivious tourists, watching the activity surrounding him. I saw him smile to himself over some private joke, and then our eyes met. He put his right hand over his heart and slightly bowed his head to me. I put my hands together and bowed back. We shared a smile and a peaceful moment amidst the chaos of the bazaar. It felt good to connect with this old man, even for an instant.
Most of the tour consisted of walking quickly from one "trusted merchant" to another. There were the rug weavers, then the spice dealers, then the pottery makers. and finally the fruit vendors. We walked through tight alleyways and broad avenues. There were vendors with their wares spread out on blankets before them, some vendor were walking around wearing bracelets and necklaces on their arms, others had framework attached to their backs with trinkets and carvings hanging on them. Then there were the shops with beautiful garments displayed on the walls, or rugs, or hand-made slippers. I was afraid to lose track of my guide and become lost, so I didn't stop to look at the offerings. I wasn't really looking to purchase anything anyway, but it would have been nice to be able to look more closely at the goods.
Long bus ride back.
Tired!
Finally found PEANUT BUTTER at the supermarket!!
Long day, hitting the sack soon.
Got to ride a camel, have a snake around my neck!
Visited the Necropolis, the Bazaar, and the Casba!
Had lunch at a traditional Moroccan Restaurant, chicken with couscous.
Danced as the musicians played traditional Moroccan music, the musicians loved it, they clapped and smiled.
There was an old man sitting on a stoop in the bazaar next to the bakery. All the tourists were gathered around the tour guide, ignoring the old man. He was neatly dressed, his gray hair clean, trimmed, and combed. His shoes were old, but well cared for. His skin was dark, but his eyes were blue. He seemed at peace, sitting among all the oblivious tourists, watching the activity surrounding him. I saw him smile to himself over some private joke, and then our eyes met. He put his right hand over his heart and slightly bowed his head to me. I put my hands together and bowed back. We shared a smile and a peaceful moment amidst the chaos of the bazaar. It felt good to connect with this old man, even for an instant.
Most of the tour consisted of walking quickly from one "trusted merchant" to another. There were the rug weavers, then the spice dealers, then the pottery makers. and finally the fruit vendors. We walked through tight alleyways and broad avenues. There were vendors with their wares spread out on blankets before them, some vendor were walking around wearing bracelets and necklaces on their arms, others had framework attached to their backs with trinkets and carvings hanging on them. Then there were the shops with beautiful garments displayed on the walls, or rugs, or hand-made slippers. I was afraid to lose track of my guide and become lost, so I didn't stop to look at the offerings. I wasn't really looking to purchase anything anyway, but it would have been nice to be able to look more closely at the goods.
Long bus ride back.
Tired!
Finally found PEANUT BUTTER at the supermarket!!
Long day, hitting the sack soon.
04 May -- Burgos to Madrid to Malaga
Had to RUN to bus station because there was no one at the reception desk this morning to call for a taxi.
Got the leftovers to go, I'll figure out something to cook with them tomorrow.
We were about 2 km from station when a taxi saw us running and stopped to pick us up. It cost 7 euros, but at least we didn't miss our bus!
Bussed to Madrid and then navigated the metro train to get from bus station to Main Renfe Atocha station to catch our long-distance high-speed train to Malaga.
Train was pretty comfortable, only one stop. Still, a very long tiring day.
Got to Malaga and had to take a taxi to the resort. 65 EUROS!!! That was the most I've ever paid a taxi EVER!
The resort couldn't find our reservation, fortunately, I had the confirmation letter on my phone.
Got a 2 BR, 2 BA condo with FULL kitchen!! yeah! AND it's WARM and SUNNY!!!
Went to find the reception desk to pay for internet access, and went to the wrong place - a 5 km detour! But we found an EXCELLENT Indian restaurant where we had dinner. The food was
Spectacular!!! The waiter told us they have been in this location for 21 years.
Got the leftovers to go, I'll figure out something to cook with them tomorrow.
Walked back to the condo and went to bed stuffed and happy!!
15 May -- Lisbon
Woke up congested and still sick. Went out for breakfast and then checked out of the hotel, but they let us leave our luggage there while we continued to tour the area on foot. We walked to the Harley Davidson store to pick up a couple of shirts for the boys. Then stopped at a restaurant on the Avenue of Liberty. Pretty good!
We went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and then caught the metro train to the airport, we checked in and got our boarding passes and then caught a taxi to the hotel. We have to get up at 4:00 am to get to the airport. damn.
We went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and then caught the metro train to the airport, we checked in and got our boarding passes and then caught a taxi to the hotel. We have to get up at 4:00 am to get to the airport. damn.
28 Apr -- O Porrino to Redondela
Took off walking to Redondela.
Beautiful countryside and vineyards.
Muddy from the rain.
Started raining on us again.
Trail became slippery.
Knee started hurting again.
Still trying to make it to Redondela.
Frank is not happy about my knee.
Finally got to a bar in Redondela and called a taxi to take us to Hostel Jumboli which was on the OTHER side of Redondela.
The hostess at the bar took pity on me and gave me a bag of ice for my knee.
Jumboli was a strange place. The town is on the river and everything was moist.
The room smelled musty. Showered, washed our clothes and hung them out to dry before heading out for dinner.
The restaurant at Jumboli was pretty sad looking.
Ate at a bar further down the road. Ordered the Hamburguese and was told afterward that it was horse meat. It wasn't bad, but I did get an upset stomach later that night.
Frank tried to talk me into taking a train to Santiago tomorrow.
Fitful sleep.
Beautiful countryside and vineyards.
Muddy from the rain.
Started raining on us again.
Trail became slippery.
Knee started hurting again.
Still trying to make it to Redondela.
Frank is not happy about my knee.
Finally got to a bar in Redondela and called a taxi to take us to Hostel Jumboli which was on the OTHER side of Redondela.
The hostess at the bar took pity on me and gave me a bag of ice for my knee.
Jumboli was a strange place. The town is on the river and everything was moist.
The room smelled musty. Showered, washed our clothes and hung them out to dry before heading out for dinner.
The restaurant at Jumboli was pretty sad looking.
Ate at a bar further down the road. Ordered the Hamburguese and was told afterward that it was horse meat. It wasn't bad, but I did get an upset stomach later that night.
Frank tried to talk me into taking a train to Santiago tomorrow.
Fitful sleep.
27 Apr -- Tui to O Porrino
Stayed at the Pension Louro in O Porrino. Up two painful flights of stairs. Small, dark, but comfortable room with private bathroom.
The teenage daughter of the owner was VERY helpful!! She spoke VERY little English, but she had a laptop and Google Translator, and she could type fast!
She helped arrange for our Tui-transport service and found us a hostel in Redondela.
Hostel Jumboli was not a highly-rated hostel, but it was cheap.
Showered, washed our clothes and draped them around the room to dry.
Out for dinner and early to bed.
The teenage daughter of the owner was VERY helpful!! She spoke VERY little English, but she had a laptop and Google Translator, and she could type fast!
She helped arrange for our Tui-transport service and found us a hostel in Redondela.
Hostel Jumboli was not a highly-rated hostel, but it was cheap.
Showered, washed our clothes and draped them around the room to dry.
Out for dinner and early to bed.
29 Apr -- Redondela to Santiago
Took a taxi to the train station.
Frank's cough and cold are getting worse.
Tried to walk to a pharmacy to get some cold medicine but I got lost.
Practically ran back to the train station to avoid missing the train.
Caught the train and the trip to Santiago was nice and comfortable, but very LONG.
Got to Santiago and walked to the Pension Rural Blanco. It was a VERY nice place, spacious, clean, modern, with shared full kitchen, laundry room, cute dining area overlooking street.
But NO wifi! That was a pain!
Went out to get dinner and shopped for groceries.
Frank's cough and cold are getting worse.
Tried to walk to a pharmacy to get some cold medicine but I got lost.
Practically ran back to the train station to avoid missing the train.
Caught the train and the trip to Santiago was nice and comfortable, but very LONG.
Got to Santiago and walked to the Pension Rural Blanco. It was a VERY nice place, spacious, clean, modern, with shared full kitchen, laundry room, cute dining area overlooking street.
But NO wifi! That was a pain!
Went out to get dinner and shopped for groceries.
13 May -- Lisbon
Woke up, packed up again, went our for coffee, came back, finished packing, took off to the metro station to the next hotel.
VERY NICE ROOM!! 5th floor with river view and private bathroom. VERY NICE reception hosts! Gave us all kind of suggestions for touring Lisbon. We walked downtown and to the riverfront. Walked and walked! Then we bought tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off Redbus Tour and took off on the tour.
Beautiful day! Got off at Belem tower and paid for the tour, we were only there about 15 minutes when they kicked us out because they were closing. And they closed 15 minutes early!! we were bummed.
Went back to the hotel and made sandwiches for dinner. Watched the beautiful moonrise. and then to bed.
VERY NICE ROOM!! 5th floor with river view and private bathroom. VERY NICE reception hosts! Gave us all kind of suggestions for touring Lisbon. We walked downtown and to the riverfront. Walked and walked! Then we bought tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off Redbus Tour and took off on the tour.
Beautiful day! Got off at Belem tower and paid for the tour, we were only there about 15 minutes when they kicked us out because they were closing. And they closed 15 minutes early!! we were bummed.
Went back to the hotel and made sandwiches for dinner. Watched the beautiful moonrise. and then to bed.
10 May -- Fuengirola
took metro bus to Fuengirola to purchase ticket for Lisbon.
They didn't take credit card payment, nearly had a heart-attack. Fortunately, Frank had enough cash on hand for the 135E tickets.
Walked through Fuengirola to the beach. Beautiful coast and beach with sailboats and cafes and shopping.
Bus back to Mijas Costa
Walked to a Greek restaurant for dinner.
They didn't take credit card payment, nearly had a heart-attack. Fortunately, Frank had enough cash on hand for the 135E tickets.
Walked through Fuengirola to the beach. Beautiful coast and beach with sailboats and cafes and shopping.
Bus back to Mijas Costa
Walked to a Greek restaurant for dinner.
29 Apr -- Santiago
Got some cold medicine for Frank.
Breakfast and coffee at bar.
Sight seeing around Santiago was awesome!!
Accidentally wandered into the Pilgrim's Mass and got to see the ceremonial lighting and swinging of the giant (thing). It was very impressive and beautiful.
The line to go into the enclave to "hug" Saint James was all the way around the cathedral. We went to eat and see the sights, when we got back in the afternoon, the plaza was empty and there was no line!
So, Frank and I walked right in and hugged St James.
There were many sights and cathedrals to see, the city is quite lovely.
Got a train ticket to Burgos.
Got some groceries and made sandwiches for the train trip.
Went to bed and slept hard!
Breakfast and coffee at bar.
Sight seeing around Santiago was awesome!!
Accidentally wandered into the Pilgrim's Mass and got to see the ceremonial lighting and swinging of the giant (thing). It was very impressive and beautiful.
The line to go into the enclave to "hug" Saint James was all the way around the cathedral. We went to eat and see the sights, when we got back in the afternoon, the plaza was empty and there was no line!
So, Frank and I walked right in and hugged St James.
There were many sights and cathedrals to see, the city is quite lovely.
Got a train ticket to Burgos.
Got some groceries and made sandwiches for the train trip.
Went to bed and slept hard!
26 Apr -- Porto to Valenca to Tui
Took the bus from Porto to Valenca
Walked the Camino through the Fortress city of Valenca to the international bridge.
Crossed into Spain
Walked the Camino to Tui
Stayed at the Albergue San Villa San Clemente.
Showered, wahsed clothes in their washing machine and hung them to dry.
Ivan was very helpful, gave us a ride into town to a restaurant that his friend owns.
The Villa had sculptures in the courtyard. It was very beautiful.
Walked through the town of Tui.
There was a festival going on to celebrate the city's Saint.
There was also a Battle of the Bands going on.
It was cold and my knee was hurting so we went back to the Albergue packed our backpacks, arranged to send Frank's duffel ahead with transport service, went to bed.
Walked the Camino through the Fortress city of Valenca to the international bridge.
Crossed into Spain
Walked the Camino to Tui
Stayed at the Albergue San Villa San Clemente.
Showered, wahsed clothes in their washing machine and hung them to dry.
Ivan was very helpful, gave us a ride into town to a restaurant that his friend owns.
The Villa had sculptures in the courtyard. It was very beautiful.
Walked through the town of Tui.
There was a festival going on to celebrate the city's Saint.
There was also a Battle of the Bands going on.
It was cold and my knee was hurting so we went back to the Albergue packed our backpacks, arranged to send Frank's duffel ahead with transport service, went to bed.
06 May -- Mijas Costa, Spain
Slept LATE!
Chillin poolside today. Reading our books and blogging.
Took a walk to Playa de Riviera. Walked the beach.
Two ladies were walking the beach and arguing the entire time!! They were funny.
Cooked Chicken soup with the left-over chicken. Sure didn't look like the illustration on the box!
Went to bed early so that we could wake up early for the trip tomorrow.
Chillin poolside today. Reading our books and blogging.
Took a walk to Playa de Riviera. Walked the beach.
Two ladies were walking the beach and arguing the entire time!! They were funny.
Cooked Chicken soup with the left-over chicken. Sure didn't look like the illustration on the box!
Went to bed early so that we could wake up early for the trip tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)