Bedazzled

What incredible lights in Malaga last night it was so awesome never saw anything quite like it totally and I took a few zillion photos they did not over advertise it was truly amazing. Especially on Calle Larios I just stood staring and it got me choked up. There were little bands playing Spanish perky music and people were dancing it was fun just to watch as people jumped into the middle and started to dance. Decorations all over the town a bigger than life Nativity scene in the center

Dazzling lights

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Nativity Scene Malaga

I went to Malaga early and went to the cathedral as did not see it last trip it was really 
beautiful and so many different altars, this one altar with an big eye and it was really interesting then I went out side and saw another area to go in with life size statues of the annunciation and then also the nativity it was beautiful. I remembered the place where I had lamb pita last year so found my way back and had one, though I left off the chips. I walked around awhile saw people in line at the city hall and I decided to get in line someplace in my mind I remembered reading nativity there and I was right.

Eye altar

They love to do the Natvity scenes here people its like a huge village not just the typical scene Mary Joseph Jesus and wisemen  and so many little things it was worth the wait partly as it had a bathroom and was warm as the evening was getting cold. The down side was listening to this woman ramble on and on in Spanish so loud and no one with her got a word in edgewise.
Then I came out and saw the lights and they were everywhere and totally amazing. I walked quite awhile there were so many little alleys off the main street and they were full of lights too each area different than the last.  Never knew what I would see next . I think I saw where the Christmas market might be but was too sore and tired plus it was almost 8 pm. I was getting hungry for dinner. The dinner was ok I did not eat a lot because of the lamb pita for lunch but I had me some wine.

The Annunciation

Rrrrrrrronda

Luckily I found Cricket in the wine barell

I had decided to go to Ronda since I did not make it last time the tour stopped in Marbella and had a quick walk through the old section (and I mean QUICK) and then we had 20 min free time to drink or pee I choose a quick walk to the sea which was finally blue as it was sunny. The sun was just rising as it does not get daylight that time of year until almost 9. Cricket my travel buddy was climbing on statues and the next thing you know the cops came along and he got arrested for refusing to get down. Luckily I convinced them that he did not read Spanish and they let him go.

Looking down the Gorge

We then headed to Ronda. We met our tour guide she walked us around the old section. Also made a stop for views of the famous gorge, it looked deep and pretty the sun was finally shinning. A man in costume came by on a horse and she said it is okay to take photos I did of course. Then we went for wine tasting and I had 2 little cups of white wine might not have been a good thing early cricket was climbing on barrels and I almost forgot to pick him up, cos he was drinking way too much.

Then we visited House of St John Bosco it was really interesting palace and his name rang a bell with me (good old Catholic school) but somehow I was thinking not Spain  I asked and he was Italian and never lived in Spain

We then walked some more through the town and also visited the famous Ronda bull ring. Ok don't get me wrong I am against bull fighting but the other part the costumes the culture sound fascinating. The guide admitted she never attended one but went on to explain the culture behind it. She was talking about famous ones attending like Antonio Banderas and I said now him Id like to see to another woman on the tour and we were both making faces about him.. Oooo lala.

I saw a beautiful white horse and it turned out to be the man who had ridden by earlier and you could have your picture on it for 2 euro but getting up was hard but he managed to haul me up somehow my foot that was bothering me made it harder and I found someone to take my photo oh with the matador.

Then we had free time I walked around got an ice-cream yummy it was getting quite warm and I was overdressed with long sleeves on. I found a spot and they were playing Spanish music so enjoyed it as I had my ice-cream. Saw and a beautiful church walked some more and then ran into the Gorge again somehow I forgot to go look for it must be the wine only had about 15 min but got a lot of photos and gazed. I ran back to the tour and just made it for along walk back to the bus esp. with sore toe.

We stopped in Puerto Banús which is the rich jet set and saw lots of yachts and also some super cars we only had 35 min but I covered lots of ground despite my feet hurting me so. (Chic restaurants, bars and cafés cash in on the hype, and everything costs considerably more. Marbella has the highest per capita income in Europe and more Rolls-Royces than any European city apart from London.)

Then back to hotel and the internet to call my nephew Kevin for his 20th birthday and then off for dinner ran into the Welsh couple from the Christmas dinner and the wife came over to talk with me. I got back to my room and my toe was pretty bad have to go and get something for it in the am.

Christmas trees everywhere

Cricket and his yachts

Feliz Navidad

This display hung from many windows

I was up by 6 am like I would be at home going to work the only difference was midnight at home. I got more organized and then I was off to breki had some eggs and some fruit and and bacon did not want a lot cos of the Christmas gala lunch at 1 pm and wanted to be hungry. I was on a train by 9 am to Fuengirola and walked around town took some pics and just explored I went into a couple churches. They all had Nativity scenes some were quite elaborate.

I found the zoo and yes they were open every day even Christmas so I decided I would spend New Years Day there, be a good way to start the New Year. Then I headed down to the sea it was grey but still nice to see I walked for awhile I made the mistake of walking close to the water to get some pics of the waves they stayed out until the last one which came in and was up to my ankles I had sneakers and socks on wet.

I had to be back by 1 pm for the Gala Christmas lunch we had assigned tables mine was #32 but looked everyplace and nothing, every # but that one. I finally  had to ask and it was in a corner out of order and no number on it. We all decided at the table that we were the bad ones and were discussing what bad things we did in our lives to get here the un-numbered table. Everyone at my table was from United Kingdom except one man on holiday from Burma. Also a couple from Wales the husband could not believe an American who heard of Wales let alone had actually been there. At first he could not believe I wasn't from Ireland as I sounded so Irish.  We had a lot of laughs the food was good but the turkey wasn't quite cooked, so could not eat all of it too bad. I had plenty of wine and some champange we were toasting each other.
I talked with the woman next too me she was a true Cockney born within the sound of the Bells. She first said I don't quite have the accent any more because I am educated but now I am proud to be a true Cockney why even Michael Cain is one of us lived so many places she and her husband retired to Spain, which lots of Brits do. The desserts were good so much chocolate YUM I spent so much time yakking and enjoying the company so gave up on a trip to Malaga this afternoon. I headed out for the internet and to enjoy the sun rather than nap was tired but refused to give in.

The temp is about 64 which I love capris and short sleeves thank you very much on Christmas Day! I sat on a bench singing Wonderful Christmas time OUT LOUD. I don't care it's my trip I can just do what I want

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Spain I am BACK

Christmas Torry

The flights were long and the Paris airport is horrid it is very hard to get around you have to read all the flights to find yours they did not have the flights in city order and you were looking at about 100 flights. Then you had to find your terminal no Customs/Immigration to be found and that was because you had to go outside to the other terminal and do customs to get in there to say it was insane would be an understatement and I felt the airport is very un-secure, after customs then you later went to your gate and there was security.

airport decorations

Then we had a 2.5 hour delay in Paris I was so totally exhausted I laid on a bench and just passed out for an hour heard later it was foggy in Malaga and planes could not take off.

When I arrived in Malaga my luggage was not there I kept waiting and waiting and finally someone came and told us. They had it a special place for customs they did not tell us I was already stamped as arriving in Paris so I was not stamped in for Malaga we just walked through Green nothing to declare. It was all so very confusing and a change from last year, we did not even get a landing card which really meant nothing as I still have mine from last year no one ever collected it.

I got to my hotel 2.5 hours late changed and ran down for dinner. I had an early night just rested and took a hot bath and read was in bed by 10 pm.

Killarney National Park

After breki I checked out the woman let me leave my luggage and said I could keep my key to get back in later when I headed to the bus to go back to Limerick. I walked around town checked the Internet and then headed for Killarney National Park I had walked in the beginning the day before when it was blue skies and sunshine but today was anything but. I decided to walk to Ross Castle which was quite a hike I just missed the boat trip which was disappointing as I was told the boats did not start till 2 pm and there was one at noon it was too cold and gloomy to hang around there till the next one at 2.30

Lovely place for a cuppa

Walked some more of the park headed to a spot that said  8km to the Lake Shore walk but after awhile realized they meant the walk to the Lake Shore walk started there I did not have time for that so continued some more around the park and saw some deer, quite a few.I then stopped at the cutest little cottage for tea. Then I headed out for dinner and I was very bad and decided to have fish and chips again from the first place nothing much open on Sunday and no meals that appealed to me as much. After got my suitcase and headed for the bus and Limerick, I vaguely remembered my hotel from 3 years ago but forgot the directions some man was walking to get McDonalds for take out for himself and his wife I asked if I was on the correct route to Denmark street and he walked along showing me a shorter route and then waited till I crossed to my hotel  was too tired to do anything but go on line and pack. I had an early bus to catch.

I didn't sleep to well yelling in the street at 4 am and an alarm going off woke me I had to leave for the bus before breki started but saw they had coffee and scones set up so had some and checked email one last time and found my flight was delayed So ordered eggs and mushrooms for breki but it took forever and my tummy started flipping so only ate some and headed for the bus

All in all a good visit to Ireland with my Kerry trip the highlight of it

Dingle Dangle and my own Pub Crawl

After a good brekie of scrambled eggs and rashers and brown bread I headed into town I was trying to make up my mind on the tour to Dingle and Slea head it was dark and gloomy and rain was predicted but then I decided what the heck take my chances. I booked my ticket and was first at the door as I wanted a prime seat front row and after checking with the man inside he assured me Passenger side this trip would be the best for this tour

Got my front seat and this was more a smaller bus and not a lot of people recognized the people from the day before Ring of Kerry tour and the woman was all excited it was someone she knew not that we really had talked the day before but made up for it this day there were from Aussie. Not a lot on this tour and some people were dropped off for the Gap of Dunloe I would have done it if I had another day.

It was starting to clearing up and I looked over the other direction of Ring of Kerry and it was very dark and gloomy and looked like it was raining. We made stops along the way and then a quick potty stop in Dingle and we would come back later. We passed some Bee Hive Huts, from the middle ages.  We made a quick photo stop one man paid the 2 euro to go in one on someone's property. I wish I had but dint think we had the time.  We stopped at the Blasket Island Centre I took some photos outside as close as I could get to the water then it started to rain so I went in and had some tea and a scone  they only gave me a cup of tea which was nothing.It stopped raining when we came out.

We continued along making stops here and there and then back to Dingle for a longer break I saw some man performing and he had a nice voice so I spent 5 euro for his cd which turns out to be very good. I walked around town and then bought a  Irish linen scarf for a friend at work birthday. I really liked Dingle and would love a chance to return there and spend a night or two and explore more.

The South Pole Inn, Annascaul, Dingle Peninsula, was opened by Kerryman Tom Crean in 1920. Tom Crean was an Antarctic explorer

After having fish and chips yes again but a different place and not as good went back to my room to rest up a bit and then changed to go on my own Pub Crawl. I decided to check out a bunch of pubs with music. I would walk in find a spot and stand and watch a bit and if I did not like it move on. I found one really good band playing but only heard the last 2 songs they stopped right after I got me a small glass of Guinness   I left after drinking a little more than half as it was way to strong for me and I did not want to land on my head. Finally found a place McSorley's that I had been in earlier they had 2 musicians one guitar and one accordion so I found a place to sit and enjoy. There were a bunch of young girls celebrating a birthday and they would go up and make requests. There was another girl who was dressed with a veil and a big  L on the back and a sash she was quite the dancer I wound up filming some of the music when he started with Galway Girl

Ring of Fire * I mean Kerry

Waterville Co Kerry

I decided to book the Ring of Kerry tour the woman at my B and B called it in and they picked me up at the B and B along with 3 other girls.  I was happy as it was a small bus but that didn't last long as they drove us to the Tour place and we got on a big bus I was sitting on the passenger side of the bus big mistake as all the scenery was on the other side the bus was almost totally full but I lucked out staying alone.

It rained just a bit as we headed off but the driver said not to worry, only a shower; we drove along into pretty little towns and then we made a stop at The Kerry Bog village it was 5 euro to go in but well worth it. There were 6 little houses to explore. There was also a mama cat with her kittens, I got some great shots some girls who were staying at my B and B were holding them. There were also some ponies

The next stop was for Kells Sheep Centre despite watching Chris at Gerry's train his dogs decided to visit and actual place as can never get enough of sheep. The man had 17 different kinds of sheep saw some I had never seen, he then gave demonstrations and commands to have the 2 dogs round up the sheep. He also demonstrated how keen dogs hearing is by having the dogs go up to the top of the hill with the sheep and then gave the command to bring them down he said it very low we could just hear it ourselves and sure enough the dogs brought the sheep down.
                                                                                   



Here' looking at ewe

They made a lunch stop in Waterville but Id rather be outside looking at the scenery it had gotten quite cold and looked like rain I went off in search of ice cream I finally found my fave whippy cone  I told the woman it is cold but I want ice cream and she said it is never too cold for ice cream. I walked along the water for awhile and finally back to the bus.

We continued along the scenery was breathtaking I kept wishing I was on the other side of the bus to see it better esp because some people on that side were sleeping or reading. Before our next stop the driver told us there was usually a man who had dogs or sheep and you could get your picture taken but be sure to put something in his  box. Well got off took some photos and the scenery was incredible but that was suddenly blocked by the man who had 2 little sheep and the driver asked when the one was born and he said 3 days ago. People were getting photos and as usual the 3 girls were monopolize but I did manage to get the driver to take a quick snap of me with the baby it was so soft and cuddly did not seem real. 

Me and the baby lamb

Off to the next stop where we were busy taking photos of the beautiful colored water when suddenly I saw everyone excited over something and it was a shark out in the water I was trying to get a decent shot but nothing to write home about the driver finally said we have to move on. We got on the bus when suddenly the shark came closer to shore and the driver said ok get off cant miss this he grabbed his camera. I snapped one through the window. 

Lady's View

Next stop was Sneen where we just had few minutes potty break and quick snaps of the village and river and then off to Molls Gap and then on to the famous Ladies View. Queen Victoria made a visit to Kerry in 1861 when her ladies in waiting were setting up a picnic but got distracted by the beautiful view. It was really cold now and dark and cloudy.