The road to Granada

We were off to Granada early today that turned out to be a drive through the hills and mountains that enclose Málaga just on the north side of the city. We could easily see them rise from the coast and I reminded myself that these were the result of the collision of the African plate with the European plate. Hence, the history of earthquakes on the northern coast of the Mediterranean and there was one here is Spain today actually.

It was remarkable how this area resembles the coast of California and it is little wonder why the Spaniard explorers were quick to claim it. I was thinking that they must have been surprised and thought “God made a spare Espania just for us?” It really could pass for one with the Barcelona beaches- part rocky and sandy, then steep rocky hills with olive and avocado trees lined up the sides as far as the eye could see.

Then the hills faded away to rich agricultural areas with wheat, rye, asparagus, oranges, poppies, apricots, vineyards and more olive trees. The road winds through the valley toward Granada where the steep hills return to block the way and they are backed up by snowcapped mountains where our guide says they can ski well into June sometimes. Now surprise—they are called the Sierra Nevada and they look just like they were copies of the Sierra I see on clear days across the San Joaquin where my mother and sisters live.

Granada is wrapped in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and The Alhambra is even further up these hills on the north side of the city. Our drive into the palace complex does not reveal the grandeur that Alhambra is known for because of its concealing exterior.

There is a palace built by Charles V that is interesting on the outside but the palace was never really used at all until Franco took over in the 1930s has been in a state of renovation for some time. The steep paths and odd height stairs were worth the climb once we were inside the Alhambra itself. It’s hard to explain the detail that is found around each corner with delicate carving of the walls to the hints of the lapis, turquoise and golden paint still clutching edges and pockets of the walls, ceilings and corners.

We passed through the gardens after the palace area and marveled at the complexity found everywhere with arches of roses, orange tree espaliers, hedges with enclosing tunnels and walkways made of river rock forming large geometric mosaics. The 3 hours went by quickly and we were all getting a bit tired. We arrived at our restaurant just in time for a lunch that restored fluids and energy. Although I must say that was entirely way too much to eat but the restaurant staff were really piling it on unless you begged for less. Filled to the brim, we were loaded up again and sent back to the ship. Most of us found extra empty seats were we could stretch out and put our feet up for the ride back.

I posted the few pix here for some context but hope you will follow the link to the Photo blog on the upper right for more photos to browse and enjoy.

mt