Alahambra, Granada


“…there is nothing worse in this world than being blind in Granada”, so the saying goes. Today we spent the afternoon, a very cold afternoon, at Granada Spain’s Alahambra. We wondered what all the fuss was about.  We were not disappointed.  The craftsmanship, architecture, Arab design elements were so impressive and it is only part of what it once was.  Most of the polychrome finishes have faded but the carved stucco walls and ceilings were fabulous.  The large formal gardens, Generalife, were some of the most ambitious gardens we’ve ever seen.  Pansy, ranunculus, decorative kale, carved myrtle shrubs and sculpted rows of arbor vitae. We put in another eight miles today up and down stairs and along cloistered colonnades.

Arbor Vitae esplanade
Yesterday was a long drive from Altea on the east coast to Granada.  It was a high altitude drive, reminiscent of the Colorado Rockies.  We saw a bit of snow, pink almond trees in bloom against a deep grey sky, the sun setting against the mountain peaks.  Just spectacular!

Almond trees in the Sierra Nevada's
Tomorrow we leave for the hill towns and Sevilla to our west.  We’re not relaxing much on this trip but after a cold day, we went to a little gourmet grocery and stocked up on top quality ham, cheese, chocolate, olives, wine etc.  Tapas dinner in our room at the Hotel Macia Real De Alahambra.

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