A comfortable day spend sightseeing and pootling around Alicante today. However today we were also saddened to hear of the awful train accident that occurred early this morning south of Madrid. While our thoughts are obviously with all those involved, we have been notified of cancellations of our Sunday train booking and have had to scramble to find alternatives. We’re not sure at this stage if later legs will also be affected.
First, to the Central MarketsLots of paella rice, ready to be carriedBluey is big here tooLots of huge fish in a number of stallsCañaillas (Bolinus brandaris), also known as spiny dye-murex or purple dye murex, are a popular seafood delicacy (tapa) in Spain.Fresh cigalas (Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus) Bonito en salazón (salted and dried bonito fish), a traditional Mediterranean delicacyThe market’s bar was doing well at 10.30amSansevieria cylindrica (also known as African spear or cylindrical snake plant) with tips dipped in a colored velvet-textured coating, commonly sold as Sansevieria Velvet Touch or Velvet TouchzFlower market outside the main buildingMoving day, European style This traditional regional dress features rich brocade or damask fabric with intricate metallic or silk-threaded patterns, paired with a delicate lace or silk-embroidered shawl (manteleta) and bodice details characteristic of local festivities such as the Hogueras de San Juan in Alicante. A 4-seater convertible Hurtan Albaycín. Manufactured by the Spanish retro-style car company Hurtan in Santa Fe, Granada, these hand-crafted cars feature classic 1950s and 1960s British roadster styling (similar in aesthetic to Morgan or MG sports cars), combined with modern mechanical components and wire-spoke wheels.An interesting combination…Cocatedral of St Nicolas of Bari, located in the Old TownInsideThe organ Side chapel Walking through the streets of the Old Town (known as Barrio de Santa Cruz)The Alicante Town Hall (Casa Consistorial de Alicante), an 18th-century Baroque buildingOn our way to the Ascensor del Castillo de Santa Bárbara (basically an elevator that meant we didn’t have to climb up Mount Benacantil!)Castillo de Santa Barbara (Castle of Saint Barbara)Stunning 360 degree viewsAlicante harbour Looking down from where Gary was standing
I found this on Google tonight… he didn’t know he was hanging over the cliff like that! 😁
Down in sea-level again and a pleasant walk along the Playa de Posiguet (Posiguet Beach)Explanada de EspanaAdmiring the beautiful buildingsHans, room for your boat just here (red arrow)With a bronze sculpture of the 20th-century painter Emilio Varela on the Explanada de EspanaMonument at the end of the Explanada to José Canalejas y Méndez, a prominent Spanish statesman and former Prime Minister of SpainAnother Baby PelónHuge Moreton Bay fig in front of Bar Sotelo 10 in Plaza Calvo SoteloBack to Liaopastel for lunch… beef salads with chimichurri… and more quirky furnitureOut this evening… looking down the Paseo Central del General Marvá to Luceros… and the other way to Carpanta’s BridgeWe passed this seemingly crumbling building and noticed it is still occupied. Indication of the housing shortage?Outside the Alicante bullring The historic Plaza del Toros de Alicante (Alicante bullring), operating since 1888. While it now functions mainly as a multi-purpose cultural space for music festivals, food markets, and massive concerts, it remains a fully functioning second-class bullring during specific festivalsA huge cigar humidor in a tobacconist shopUnusual building opposite the Central MarketsMalls in the Old TownUpcoming events at the Teatro Principal… Julio Inglesias Jr… I feel so old 😳And The Phantom Alicante’s “Paseo Luz de las Estrellas” (Starlight Walk) installation created for the Festival de Cine de AlicanteAnd another Baby PelónInto Calle de las Setas, a small street lined with tall mushroom figures and mushroom huts—a bit surreal, and a bit quirky… I like quirky Families out enjoying the beautiful weather all over the city but here we’re back at Plaza Calvo SoteloThis time for a quiet drink at Sotelo 10Then off to tea… our “usual” wasn’t open until 8pm tonight so we tried over the road. Not a good choice… these are “patatas bravas lamina” (sliced patatas bravas)… basically chips/crisps out of a bag with bottled sauce 🫤 Fortunately my smoked salmon bocadilla (sandwich) was somewhat better.
