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