After breakfast we attended the sung mass at Valencia Cathedral, then navigated through the half marathon (literally) and walked out to the City of Arts and Sciences for a visit to the Oceanogràfic aquarium. A taxi back to the old town (the bus didn’t come), and we followed up on a couple of Atlas Obscura recommendations including another local specialty … this time a cocktail (Agua de Valencia). It was then another multicultural pit stop at the Irish pub across the way… this time to watch a bit of Man U vs Bournemouth and chat to a young couple from near Birmingham.
Graffiti as we walked out to buy breakfast… Inside the Valencia Cathedral. It is formally known as the Cathedral of the Holy Chalice and they believe they hold the chalice used at the Last Supper. The half-marathon in full swing… we had to dash between runners to cross various streets.A HUGE Moreton Bay fig tree locally known as the Ficus del Parterre, located in the Plaza de Alfons el Magnànim. Planted around 1852, this massive tree is one of Valencia’s most famous monumental trees and has survived major historical events, including floods and wars.Into the Jardin del Turia (Gardens of Turia), a nearly 9-kilometer-long linear urban park built in the former dry bed of the Turia River (we only walked about 3.5kms… it hit 31C/88F here this afternoon). Following a catastrophic flood in 1957, the river was diverted around the city, and the dry channel was transformed into a green oasis featuring walking paths, bicycle tracks, sports fields and public art.The Valencian version of Melbourne’s “Tan”Parque Gulliver… a playground that contains a massive, 70-meter-long sculpture of Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels, where children act as the Lilliputians climbing over his body, hair, arms, and legs via integrated ramps, ropes and slides.Him in front of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, an iconic opera house and performing arts centre designed by architect Santiago Calatrava at the southern end of City of Arts & SciencesA woman practicing aerial silk acrobatics (aerial silks) suspended from a bridge in Parque de TuriaL’Hemisfèric, also designed by the Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, is shaped like a giant human eye (or an eyelid). It functions as an IMAX cinema, a planetarium, and a laseriumWe met Linda on our walk 💕Part ofthe Pont de l’Assut de l’Or bridge (L)and L’Àgora (R) a cultural and exhibition centreEurope’s largest aquarium is a leader in ocean conservation and covers 110,000 square meters and holds 42 million litres of water. It houses over 45,000 animals from more than 500 different species, including sharks, penguins, sea lions, walruses, and the only beluga whales in Europe.One of the tunnelsHarbour seals and a Californian sea lion frolicking Spider crabsA life size replica of a big one!Sea dragons Stingray Underside of a stingrayUnderside of a sand tiger shark A snoozing smalltooth sawfishThe underside of a sawfishA beluga whale interacting with kids King penguins
3D glasses on ready for the 4D BBC production Penguins 4D: A Spy in the Colony. The documentary uses ultra-realistic “spy cameras” disguised as realistic animatronic penguins, rocks, and eggs to infiltrate real wild Antarctic colonies and is derived from the critically acclaimed 3-part BBC/Discovery nature documentary series Penguins: Spy in the Huddle (2013) narrated by David Tennant. (The 4th D is the spray, wind, snow and vibrations you experience).
A snapshot from the filmBack in the old town … On the corner of a 19C palace in the old town of Valencia, right by Calle del Miracle, a giant bronze bat clings to the wall.
The bat (rat penat in Valencian) isn’t just a whimsical decoration. According to legend, on the eve of a decisive battle in the 13th century, as King James I prepared to reconquer Valencia from the Saracens, a bat is said to have landed on his tent, awakening him and his army to warn of an ambush. As victory followed and James was known as “The Conqueror”, the animal became a symbol of good fortune, and has crowned the city’s coat of arms, soccer jerseys, and numerous souvenirs tourists buy every day. (Atlas Obscura)Along these medieval streets, your eyes won’t miss the plethora of menu boards outside cafés and restaurants, each one touting Agua de Valencia, the city’s signature cocktail made with fresh Valencia oranges, cava, gin, and vodka. But one corner is unlike the rest: Café Sant Jaume, a laid-back drinking spot in the El Carmen neighborhood. Housed in a historic 19th-century building that once served as an apothecary, the cafés vintage tin ceiling, handcrafted wood bar, and expansive back shelves now showcase potions for modern-day libations (Atlas Obscura)Yet another sacrifice in the name of research 😁Touting their secret recipe…On the top shelf 😳😳😳Another travesty At the Cat House: Cats are no strangers to urban agglomeration, especially in a warm climate, and the felines of Valencia are no exception. Feral cats roam the streets, looking for a place to rest their bones before being shooed away. The cat house offers them respite.
At the foot of a blue wall on Carrer del Museu, the facade of a tiny house attracts the attention of passersby. The house is only a foot or two tall but it is designed in a classically Valencian style. It has a Spanish tiled roof, a little fountain, and a “garden” to the side (actually just one potted plant).
The house’s entrance is dark and does not appear to lead to the other side of the wall, but perhaps that’s just a ruse for human intruders. Legend has it that the old woman who previously owned the house behind the gate left it for the feral cats of Valencia to inhabit. Whether or not this is true and whether or not there are any cats behind the wall will have to remain a mystery—to the humans of Valencia at least. (Atlas Obscura) Cat on top of the wall Street art on the walk home… yes, that’s a paella pan!Gary’s new favourite beer… the German one from the Irish pub across the streetTapas lunch… bread with tomato, sausage and grilled Pedron peppers.
Back to Escalones de la Lonja (site of last night’s tea) for tapas and a drink… tonight’s choices (unfortunately the smoked sardines were sold out):
Patatas bravas with garlic, oil and spicy topping: peach, chili, cumin, tomato, onion, pepper, and garlicHomemade anchovies pickled with garlic and parsley and olivesBreaded cheese with tomato & blueberry jam
