Alicante beach town La Vila Joiosa

I decided today was a good day to explore outside Alicante and took a tram to El Campbello and and found my way to the waterfront. I have to say there was nothing really much there and after having something to drink and a potty break it was back to the tram. I passed a pretty church but it was not open. 

the sea at El Campbello

Looking at the map I decided to travel on to La Vila Joiosa (Villajoyosa) I got on the tram and tried to buy a ticket but I could not get it to work. An elderly English man on the tram told me not to bother that he had an annual pass and that I could travel on his and he would get his money's worth. We had a nice chat. 

Upon arriving I set out and the first area I came across was an area that was sort of a gorge looking down was quite nice but the colorful houses on the sides made is an impressive view. 

colorful house 

Interesting lampost

down to the water

I walked down a steep embankment to the waterfront and was happy to see the colorful buildings I strolled along the beach for awhile and decided it was time to eat. I choose a little place with a menu that included wine and a meal for 10 euro. I noticed my waiter had a really neat peace symbol on, I commented on it and he said few people know English around here so they do not know what it says. We chatted awhile and he came from Italy. The meal was quite good.  After that I just strolled along the beach and just enjoyed the sun and left a bit before sunset it was a good day.

My cafe

Selfie

Colorful signs

cute recycler

The Bonfires of Saint John (Spanish: Hogueras de San Juan, Catalan Spain) Alicante

One of the most interesting museums I have visited  in my travels is the Museo De Las Hogueras/Alicante Festival Museum located in Alicante Spain. The museum was full of many interesting "ninots indultados" effigies that managed to escape the flames. I enjoyed seeing the examining  and they were quite colorful. I had to walk through the rooms several times to enjoy the various displays.


 St John's Eve (is the eve before the Feast Day of St John the Baptist) is a Fiesta celebrated in Alicante Spain. People celebrate by making effigies using paper mache that are burnt in bonfires lit during the the festival. Bonfires are lit usually around midnight both on beaches and land and occasionally a dummy is placed at the top representing a witch or devil. A bonfire is an artistic creation and a critique of the social, political and economic situation of the world in general. Some of the ones on display are below.

Las Sirenas Paco Lopez Albert  1994

The Beauty

A day in the sun Benidorm

I decided to do a day trip to Benidorm and discovered the way to get there was by tram; luckily the tram station was about a 20 min walk from my hotel. There was a marathon going on and I had to walk through the Marathon  to get to the station.  It took about an hour to get there on the tram and I enjoyed the views along the Mediterranean, some of the areas we passed through were beautiful.  I arrived and started walking downhill not really sure where I was going, I saw the sea in the distance,  but I decided to head for the Old Town. When I got there I was struck by the amount of people from England I was surrounded by English accents. I did not realize it was a major mecca for the Brits. It was a very strange experience knowing I was in Spain, and hearing those accents.


 I made my way through the crowds of people and all the little shops selling things.   I found a pretty top for only 4 euro in one of the many little shops and I also bought a cheap watch because the one I had bought for the trip had fell out of my bag. I walked by the sea and just enjoyed the sunshine. It was a bit shock to see so many topless women especially with all the children around. I have to say one thing that they sure most be comfortable with their bodies with the number wearing bikinis that were heavier than me and one woman just plain stripped down on the beach and got dressed.  I just enjoyed the colors of the sea and walked past many bars that were full of people drinking and dancing in the streets. I saw a man that was making a Castle out of sand and I dropped some coins in his box and snapped some photos. 

I had spotted some chocolate crepes so I decided to have one it was sooo good and walking some more I needed water and then decided to have a salad and sat on some stairs and had it. After a few hours I decided to head back and walked along the water for awhile. I was not positive I was going in the right direction and asked a man who ran a small tourist train and he pointed  the way back to the train station and even gave me a map. It was quite a hike back but I am glad I went that way as I saw another area of Benidorm.

up the stairs to nowhere

Cricket by the sea

sand castle being built

Christmas decorations already up

Doving the light pole

Through the streets of Alicante Spain

Looking up to the Castle on the hill

The Mediterranean Sea was for my goal for my second week in Spain and I decided to visit Alicante.  The weather was awesome after the cooler gloomy rainy weather in Madrid so it was a very welcome change. I choose a hotel that was across from the train station, so I was able to get in late afternoon check in and explore just a bit. 

In the morning I set off on the bus to visit Santa Barbara Castle which was across from the sea. Admission is free but the ride to the top is not, however I was able to travel for free as a Senior. It is on top of Mount Benacantil  and it is one of the largest medieval fortress in Spain built in the 9th century by Muslims. The views from the Castle were superb and I was enjoying the sun at last. Children were being having a tour and they were given capes to wear while the leaders told them stories.

Kids listening to stories and getting involved

cat hanging in the castle

Cricket on top

view from the Castle

After visiting the castle I walked back to the old town and through the streets of Plaza del Carmen which were beautiful, I walked up to the Basilica of Santa Maria and down narrow alleyways and up many stairs. I sat and rested for awhile in square where the little fountains put on a little show, and the I continued on.  There were a lot of outdoor cafes set up for lunch and I was getting hungry from all my walking. I spotted one where the menu was in both Spanish and English and the man there was so sweet he welcomed me with to the table and I ordered my lunch. It was a great meal of soup and a glass of white wine and  Paella and a dessert could not beat 10 euro at the Restaurant Casa Mayor.  I returned to the restaurant several days later and the man welcomed me with open arms and I had another meal this time it was beef steak a huge salad and of course a glass of white wine.

The Basilica of Santa Maria

dancing fountains

owners of the restaurant 

oh so yummy

Another day I came back and walked along the beach into the water just a bit and explored the streets again. I found the Cathedral and it was open so I was able to walk around and I walked the colorful area near the sea. While I was waiting to take the bus back I was counting my change a woman saw me counting my change and asked if I was short and did I need money for the bus fare, I assured her I had enough.  

colorful tiles makes walking a bit dizzy

 San Nicholas Cathedral

beautiful ceiling of San Nicholas Cathedral

the Courtyard at the Cathedral