Alhambra

While touring Andalucia and the south of Spain, one could obviously not miss the maybe greatest sight of them all: The "Alhambra" in Granada. Alhambra was an old Moorish fortress (meaning "The red fortress"), built for the muslim emirs in Spain around the 14th and 15th centuries. This place is magnificent, which you can see in the pictures below.

The monkeys

The Gibraltar Rock is a famous military fortress that has played imporant parts in the warfare history, also during the second world war. It is also famous for the airport runway that is crossed by the road going to the Spanish border and for being one of the pillars of Hercules in Greek mythology. But maybe most of all, it is famous for its monkey colony, the only one in Europe.
I spent a day hiking along the many paths on the top of the Rock and met many monkeys along the road. One even managed to steal a doughnut from my backpack.

The lighthouse at Europa Point, from where I started my hike

Monkeys

Steep cliffs

Monkey

The Gibraltar Rock

Strait of Gibraltar

A bus ride along the Spanish south-coast down to the Strait of Gibraltar is scenic. Below is the end of the Mediterranean sea, with Morocco on the other side.

Approaching the Gibraltar cliff.

Cadiz

Next stop was Cadiz on Spain's south-west coast. The one who has plenty of time can continue on several interesting day-trips around Cadiz (for example Jerez) but I skipped that.  Cadiz is however has a nice vibe without hustle and bustle.  

Sevilla

Sevilla is a charming Spanish laid-back city and one of the most visited. With its open atmosphere and many sights and activities, tourists can be kept busy for weeks experiencing frequent bull-fights, flamenco-dancing or a river cruise. In the fauna of local specialtes, there are two things that stands out a little bit more than others; the city's stunning cathedral, one of the largest in the world, and the Alcazar.


I decided to see only the Alcazar this time. I may be around more times.


The Alcazar is an old fortress that was converted to a palace, fit for the rich Spanish monarchs. Some pictures of a fantastic place follows below.

Champions-League final

I finally arrived to Madrid after having landed in Paris and missed my connection. It wasn't my fault however as the inbound flight landed a little late so they just put me on the next flight two hours later. I heard surprisingly many german voices on the plane for being an Air France, which puzzled me a little bit. Arriving to Madrid Barajas however, everything became clear as the airport was full of signs in german for "U-Bahn" and "Bayern München Fan Zone". Damn! I am arriving in the middle of the Champions League-final weekend!
This could be tricky finding a cheap place to lodge. Asking around at my favourite cheapies, I realised I was right; everything was full.


In order to not have to pay a small fortune for a room, I used my "plan B". I took a night bus at 01:00 to Seville and surely there would be no Champions League-final there and I would have plenty of time to find a place in the morning.

Bayern München lost the 2010 final.

Last days in South America

The inevitable was quickly getting closer. Last days in Peru and last days in Latin America. I was flying from Lima and spent the last days in the city.

I found a hotel only half prize of what I am normally paying with better service and location so will try to remember that place next time. Also had many practicalities to sort out before arriving to Europe such as changing money and preparing my claim against the bankrupted Spanish airline AirComet.

I did however have time to visit a few new places. An hour or so outside the center, there is an archeological site with ruins and stuff. Being Peru, I expected something exceptional (as always!) but this time I was mistaken and only found a couple of small pyramids, barely recognisable. Most other buildings in the city was no more than a ruined stone wall at best. But the view from the top was marvellous!

 

Ica

No, it is not Ica the supermarket chain. Instead, I went to Ica the peruvian city. 


Just a few kilometres outside the city, in the middle of the desert landscape, there is a small lagoon surrounded by sand-dunes. This excotic place was once exploited for the peruvian elite, but now serves a somewhat cheapish tourist-hideaway full of backpackers, trying to bargain the best deals for desert tours or sand surfing.


The lagoon is featuring on the back of the Peruvian 50-soles banknote, which is the only reason I went here. There were people swimming in the lagoon but as it doensn't have any inlets or outlets, I am not sure about the water quality. Best to not try the luck.

 

Paracas

Pisco, south of Lima, was heavily destroyed by the earthquake that had its epicenter just outside. One can admire the many empty spaces in the city where there once stood a building. Most ruins have been cleared away but the streets are still in very bad condition. If taking a bus south along the coast, one is travelling through an area lined with several enormous fish-food factories with maybe Peru's worst smell all categories. When through, one arrives to the little fishing village Paracas, now an important tourist centre for people taking tours to Islas Ballestas, three small rocky islands just off the Peruvian shore with an impressive animal life. Here one can find penguins, sea lions and, at least what I thought, several million birds.


The islands were absolutely fantastic.

Some pelicans on the beach before departure

Awesome landscape

A few birds

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Sea lions resting on the cliffs

Champions 2010

My new team Athletico Junior won the final against La Equidad after 0-1 away and 3-1 home. It is the first time Junior are Colombian champions since 2004.

Piura

Piura is a small city in Northern Peru, famous for its nearby beaches and its excellent food. I didn't go to the beach but opted for the food-option. There are many things to be tasted in the local cuisine, one being the "Tiger milk", a drink often served with local food in most restaurants. Unfortunately, it isnt made of tigers at all.

Piura is also exceptionally good for the local dish ceviche, based on an uncooked fish.