Madrid to Ourense

 Welcome back to the tour ya'll....

Up early and caught the subway to the train station in Madrid. The high speed Ave Trains can reach speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph)! So it would only be a couple hours to reach our next destination....Ourense in Galicia.

 

 

 

Our 20 minute hike from the Ourense station to our first rented apartment took us over a nearly 2,000 year old Roman bridge over the Minho river.......The Ponte Vella was first built buy the Romans during the first century. However it was rebuilt in 1230 and then it collapsed in 1499 and rebuilt again in 1679. But it still sits on its original foundations....

Here's our first apartment in Spain!! Rented this for three nights, however we wished we had stayed longer in Ourense as we ended up really enjoying the Historic Capital of Ourense Province. We each only bashed our heads once on the low beams!

Ourense is full of fascinating ancient history. We knew nothing of the place just a few months before. Here are some pics around the city....

We really loved the River Miño and the many hot springs along its banks. They dont want you to take pictures within the springs so I just have this one  ;-) The hot springs are tucked-in behind. Very hot! All except one are free to the public.

 

The Miño is a clean river and we were able to get in after one long hot soak.

The beautiful modern bridge spans the river not far from the old one...

One of the ancient hot springs right in town

Filling up with free fresh drinking water!! There are fountains all around town....

Beautiful Ourense!! From up above on a hike....

 

The Main Square just down the street...

 

 We were impressed by the Architecture, history and culture of this city. Our hikes along the river, the artwork and nature, the city parks and of course the hot springs along the river all made Ourense a place that we already miss. We already had a  booked apartment in our next stop, Lugo, so on we must go....

Stay tuned....

KnJ

Mexico City to Madrid

2/2/24 to 2/6/24:

Hey All, I'm writing this new post 10 days into our 3 month trip around Spain (and beyond??)

---Click on photos to enlarge---

We caught the early bus to Mexico city...a scenic 4.5 hour trip. Comfortable bus with bathrooms and TV.

Decided to spend the night and the next day here to catch the red-eye flight to Madrid. We spent most of the day at Chapultepec Park and Castle. Simply fascinating. After the Spanish/French stole it from the Aztecs, they built the castle in the late 1700's for their royalty......

 

 

From the castle you can see the monument of the Boy Heroes....6 Mexican cadets died defending the castle while it was taken by United States Marines during the Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican-American war........

 

Here's the 1860's carriage of Emperor Maximilian I. Made in Milan, Italy. It is an incredible piece of work.....

 

The elaborate dining room.....

 

 

The Emperor's bedroom!!

Our visit to the Castle was very impressive and we're glad to have had a glimpse into the living conditions of the Great Emperor and his wife Charlotte. It was an extravagant life he lived.... until his execution in 1867.

 

So then it was on to Madrid. The 10 hour flight seemed long, but actually really short considering how far we flew. I don't fly as easily as I used to, but we made it alive!!!

 

Here are some pics of Madrid....

Vermouth (a fortified wine) bar. It seems to be a big deal here in Spain. Haven't tried it yet, will keep you posted....

yummy Turkish food....

An Archway to enter the Plaza Mayor....

Inside the Plaza.....

 

 

The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal of the Almudena, construction began in 1883 and finished over a 100 years later!

 

The Equestrian Monument to King Felipe III of Spain, 1617.....

 

 

Another impressive building in Madrid. The house of Gallardo, finished in 1914, is of the New Art (Modernista) style of architecture.....

 

 

The Egyptian Temple of Debod...this early 2nd century BC temple, originally constructed in Egypt was actually moved to Madrid in 1968!

 

The Royal Palace Madrid & The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal of the Almudena ...3,418 rooms, 135,000 sq mts!

 

We really enjoyed Madrid and look forward to spending more time here when we return to fly out.

Next stop on our tour will be the city of Ourense and then northward to Lugo in the Autonomous community of Galicia. Stay tuned for More........

KnJ

Bamboo Carport

 Its been so long since I've made a Blog Post. But here's a new one. Just a few pics of the new Guadua Bamboo Carport I finally wrapped up. They grows this species of Bamboo (from Colombia) not far from where we live in Veracruz, Mexico. Bolted with 3/8" threaded bar and then finished with marine varnish. Enjoy the pics.....click to enlarge.

P.S. I'll be making more frequent posts because tomorrow we head off for 3 months in Spain!! So stay tuned....

 

Till next time,

Hasta luego