Seville

Disembarking from the ship on the 31st would have been challenging enough but, added to it, was the fact I was tired and a bit the "worse for wear" from my partying with the organist and the vicar (that sort of sounds like the start of a joke, doesn't it?).  We left the ship just after 9 and were then taken on a city tour, much of which was on foot.  I am not sure everyone on the bus knew that was going to happen as there was lots of moaning and groaning going on as the morning progressed.

Our first stop was the Plaza de España ("Spain Square").  It is located in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park) and was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929.  It is a landmark example of the Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture.

After that, we got back on the bus to see more of the city – including the bull ring (ugh!) – before getting off the bus and touring the Real Alcazar (Royal Palace) and some of the rest of the city on foot.  The buildings were very interesting but I am about done with Moorish buildings and history at this point!  The gardens were fabulous.  What was also interesting was walking down all the little narrow alleys after we left the palace and gardens including a walk through the Jewish quarter.  We finally got back on the bus about 3 ½ hours later – I was tired but at least we were given time to stop for a drink.

The other side of the Guadalquiver River - the neighbourhood of Triano

Below is the entrance to Real Alcazar and photos I took while I was in the palace and gardens.

 

After the tour finished, about 1:30 our bus deposited us around the corner from the hotel (the Gran Melia Colon) where I will be staying for the next two nights.  The only problem was that none of the rooms were ready and we were going to have to wait until at least 3 pm.  I walked along a nearby pedestrian street with another couple from the ship and we managed to find a tapas bar where we had a light lunch.  The two dishes that I ordered both had cheese in them and were tasty – one was topped with caramelized onions and, the other, with honey and chopped almonds.  Next door there was a lovely store selling Spanish food products including lovely hams, olive oils, wine and cheeses.

 

 

By the time I got back at 2:30, I was lucky as my room was ready.  Some people had to wait until after 3:30 and I think most were pretty unimpressed with having to wait around for so long!  The rooms are very modern (square toilet and bidet, colourful lights).  The doors are very different as they are made to look like framed paintings.  Quite an intriguing look!  However, the best part was the WiFi!  It was very high speed and I could finally post some blogs.  I did that for about four hours and got 7 or 8 finished.  I had already drafted some while I was on the ship so that made it fairly easy as pretty much all I had to do was add photos. 

The curtain on the other side of the bathtub actually covers
The glass wall between the bedroom and the bathroom.  Hmmm!
The toilet and bidet are in a separate WC and there are phones everywhere!

The sign beside the door to my room telling me about the painting on the door (below).

 

Doors to other rooms (above and below)

 

 

For dinner, I just ate by myself in the hotel's restaurant sitting on the terrace (sidewalk).  What was really annoying - and somewhere surprising - is that both when I had lunch and dinner people approaching you while you are eating begging for money.  It doesn't exactly make one feel comfortable!!  One thing that is clear to me is that I need to learn some Spanish if I am going to come back to this country!