Wednesday, 14 Nov 2018 -- Alicante, Spain

We didn't get off the ship the short time we were in Barcelona, and a lot of new (old) people boarded for the crossing. We think the average age of the passengers just went up 10 years.

Alicante, Spain was a new destination for us. The town itself didn't seem to offer too much except a castle we didn't climb up to, a renowned IVF clinic, and lots and lots of lemon trees.

Sagrada Familia-Barcelona

When Suzy or I think about Spanish architects the first names who come to mind are Gaudi (La Sagrada Familia) and Calatrava. In researching this next architect, still unknown, I learned the SG will be completed in 2026 and https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/23/sagrada-familia-31-36-million-building-permit-architecture-news/
Barcelona wants a building permit after 100+ years?!

Cap's excursion took him 25 km west of Alicante to Novelda, the 'Spanish capital of marble.' There were stone fabricators everywhere. Cap had difficulty understanding his guide (guide spoke better English than Cap Spanish) and was assuming we're visiting just another church. His first impression was 'Oh, my gosh, a Gaudi.' Well, Cap was close, it was an apprentice of Gaudi.

Monastery of Santa Maria Magdalena, Novelda, Valencia, SP 

While inside they demonstrated the pipe organ. The pipes were made of marble.

pipe organ, pipes made of marble!

rear pipes

Cap's final stop was a tour of the Decanter award winning Bodega Heretat de Cesilia winery. None exported to the US. He brought back a bottle of a syrah blend. The evening of the 17th he and Suzy enjoyed it in their stateroom with a dinner from the onboard Italian themed restaurant, Toscana.

Suzy visited the fishing village of Villajoyosa (Happy Town!), where the narrow houses are painted different colors and the mail is delivered on a motorcycle. Famous Valor chocolate has been made there since 1881, and a cup of hot chocolate (that's melted chocolate, not cocoa) kept her attention on the great guide we had.

On to Albir, where the largest group of residents is Norweigian, and hundreds of RVs from more northern climes were parked in close proximity for the winter. Things were fairly quiet, which was nice from a crowd perspective, but there were quite a few signs like the one at right that reflected the end of the season.





 Then, in the town of Altea, a church with beautiful blue and white domes (Virgin del Consuelo cathedral) had a prayer candle setup I've never seen before. You drop a coin in the slot, and a candle lights up. No idea how long before it turns off again!

This is one reason Alicante doesn't win many architectural awards.