Day 1 17/11/07 - Spain

London -> Valencia

Highlight

• The bus ride to Stansted was very smooth. We timed it just right again.
• The flight wasn’t full, but it was very hot, as though they make you sweat so you will spend money on drinks.
• We decided against getting the Valencia card as everything seems to be free on Sundays.
• Slokky realised he left the laptop on the plane, 20 minutes into our Metro ride out of the airport, right after I asked if he left his scarf, since he did the same thing on the bus to Stansted. Of course he said yes but he didn’t think about his laptop.
• So had to go all the way back to try to get it. Luckily it was still there as all of our stuff since we left Oz were on it and we had no backup!
• After our big delay, we finally made it to our hotel, after stopping off to buy ham and bred on the way.
• The hotel was situated in Aqua, a new age shopping complex. That was cool in a way, but it took us ages to find the entrance to the hotel.
• We had to wait 20 minutes at the check in, and then we couldn’t even get a room.
• Got the bus to the city, but we couldn’t buy the Bono Bus (a 10 trip pass), so we had to pay the full fare.
• Central market – was very good, so much fresh food and spices, but it closed for the lunch break, so we had to be quick. Managed to pick up some pastries before we were kicked out.
• La Lonja – was closed. Impression? Squarish with some animals on the door.
• Church of Sasntos Juares – pink building, also closed.
• Plaza Redonda – was being renovated. If it was not being done up, it certainly would’ve been impressive, a square with a fountain in the middle.
• We weren’t having any luck. Santa Catalina was also closed.
• Had our lunch at the park opposite the cathedral, with beautiful flowers and yummy ham.
• The Cathedral was the only touristy thing that you have to pay for (and probably why it’s opened!), but it had the “holy grail”, so we had to see it. Included with the entrance fee was an audio guide, which used some very complex English words, so naturally I didn’t really understand what they were talking about.
• Climbed the gates of Torres de Serranos for very good views – and for the clear glass floor where Slokky screamed every time he had to walk over one.
• Watched people playing football from the bridge on the way to the Museum de Belle Artes.
• The museum had no English at all, so we couldn’t really appreciate what they had.
• Observed some more architecture at Plaza de la Virgin, Roman ruins and the palace.
• Couldn’t find Palacio Cervello, so went to Plaza de Patriarca (a uni), where they have a modern art display, very cool.
• Musee de Ceramicca is housed in this beautiful historic restored Palaccio de mardhesde Dos Aguas.
• Slokky made us run to the bull ring even though it was 7:55 and it closed at 8, needless to say, we didn’t make it.
• Watched people have beers, coffee and chocolate & churros before dinner.
• Walked everywhere to try to get a Bono Bus but we couldn’t find any at all.
• We wanted to eat at restaurant Aquilia, but we couldn’t find it (probably closed), so ended up walking back to the hotel, finding a semi-full restaurant and eating there. Luckily the food was good.
• Back to the shopping centre, (now 10pm), and found it was in full swing with people eating dinner. We got some churros and chocolate before retiring to our room.

Food

• Espresso breakfast:
  • croissant
  • baguette with bacon and sausage
  • cappuccino
• Spanish ham
• mini empanada with tomato and pesto
• milky bread
• jam filled pastries
• palmiers
• Ciencias multi-vitamin juice
• Exemari dinner(basque Cuisine):
  • chorizo in cider
  • Northern cockles stew
  • salt cod Basque style
  • orange juice
• churros and chocolate
• beer