Road Trip!

Just as we were getting settled in Torremolinos, Kenny and I decided to take a quick road trip to meet up with my cousins in Lloret de Mar (near Barcelona). This is our first time in Spain, so we were very excited to get to see a bit more of it and drive along the coast. It had also been more than six years since I had seen my cousins! We rented a car, downloaded maps and hit the road:

One for the road! There's a churro shop on the way to the train station, we stopped in for a quick to-go churro treatment.

Every time we have rented a car I have secretly wished for a Fiat 500. Not only did I get my Fiat, but I got a shiny blue Fiat to show off for the cousins! Off to a good start...

Spain is Beautiful! Driving up the coast (and further inland at times) was incredible. Fertile valleys with every kind of delicious thing growing (we saw artichokes, grapes, olives, oranges, lemons, all manner of colorful lettuce, and blossoming trees).

The driver.

This looks strangely familiar... Spain or New Mexico?

Blossoming trees!! Spotted from a random pull-off along the motor way. A wonderful treat for a stop-and-stretch, their scent perfumed a cool breeze which was pleasant in the warm sun.

Making shadows with Fiat

Tucked in for the night, see you in the morning!

We booked an apartment for a night to break up the 10(ish) hour drive into two days. When we arrived, the woman at the front desk seemed very excited about the one waiting for us. We rode the elevator to the top floor and opened the door to a two story penthouse! See below:

Such a penthouse! Huge kitchen and living area, two (!) balconies, one of them overlooked a bull fighting arena. What luck!

On the road again

KITTY! He and his buddy were napping in the sun at a rest stop. They were not as friendly as other Spanish cats. Or at least not as interested in collecting a scratch as payment for modeling.

First glimpse of Lloret: nice outdoor market

We went to the beach and found some equipment. I instructed Denise to reel in a boat for us but I don't believe she was serious about the task.

The castle of Lloret!  It's actually a private residence, built between 1935-1940.

Cousins! We spent the afternoon drinking mate, catching up and then made a feast. Notice me showing off the blog in the picture on the left. Cast of characters (bottom right, clockwise from left): Cloe, Mane, Maria Laura, me.

Kenny tends to take a lot of pictures. This series captures the occasionally resulting subject fatigue.

Just one of the incredible vistas around Lloret

Tossa! Just a bit up the coast from Lloret, comes with actual historic castle. Well, actually a lookout/wall combo but equally historical to a castle. Not faked by some eccentric industrialist.

Fighting the wind to get to the walled city

Nice view of the town!

Taking part in the evidently long-standing tradition of rubbing for good luck. When in Tossa...

View off the top.

Wandering the little streets within the walled city

I was held up taking pictures of the street (above) while Denise and Maria Laura went through a secret hole in the wall to a nice view. There was a dog in the opening to greet me and show the way, but the first picture I took was on the wrong setting and got overexposed. So here is a picture of Dog's butt instead.

View from the secret hidey-hole!

Lunchtime: the free tapas included a shorter cured, smashed olive. Very delicious.

ALFAJOR!! The cousins were kind enough to share some of their coveted "Havanna" brand alfajores with me. Thank you cousins!!

Trying to sneak a peak of the boat church while it was being revamped

Nice place!

Kenny tried to be a sneaky photographer, but Maria Laura was one step ahead of him

Sneaking comes easier when attempted from a distance.

I tried to be helpful in the kitchen until I realized that I would have to stick my hand in the oven to turn it on... seems like a good way to get burned. I'd better just watch.

This is the other side of Mane's apartment. I thought it was pretty sweet.

Sunrise over Lloret

Protest! No time to join up, though, focus on driving today.

Tucked away church in Granada

We stopped by Granada on the way back. Unfortunately this was just about as much as we got to see of La Alhambra...we didn't make it before siesta and didn't have time to wait for it to reopen.

(the outside of) La Alhambra!

An up-close olive tree! With olives on it! Having seen them along the road I was really hoping to get up close to one but they were always fenced off. La Alhambra visit was not a complete loss.

Walking to the cathedral: notice the hanging mime on the gate

Big ol' Granadic church.

Mission complete, Fiat returned to base.

Goodbye noble Fiat. You were everything I dreamed you would be!