The Metropol Parasol In Seville
The Metropol Parasol in Seville, must be one of the worst pieces of architecture and design, I’ve ever seen.
I was also told by a couple, I met beside it, that when it’s hot in summer, the market underneath is not a pleasant place to be.
I should think too, that being made of wood and glue, it could be a bit of a fire risk.
Apparently, though, it was built by a retiring mayor, who wanted to leave his mark on the city. Ken, Boris and the other UK mayors, may have big egos, but I can’t think of any legacy of a mayor, that wasn’t received positively.
Food For Armies
I like translation mistakes and this is a good one.
Food For Armies
Pate of campaign is probably an easy mistake to make.
Men In Odd Uniforms
There were quite a few men going around Seville in very odd uniforms.
I dread to think, what would happen, if someone tried that in say Alabama, most of Africa and parts of the UK.
The Trams Of Seville
Like Casablanca’s, Seville’s tram system is fairly new.
Note that it is unusual in that it doesn’t use overhead collection of power, but relies on batteries, which are charged at the termini. This is probably only practical because the line is short, but it does make it quiet and probably it doesn’t frighten the horses.
Modern Railways this month, is actually saying that this might be a cheaper way of running urban trams. Nice uses a system, where in the centre it runs on batteries, which are charged from the overhead power supply on the outer ends of the line.
The Carriages Of Seville
Seville has some of the best carriages for tourists, that I’ve found, with the possible exception of Vienna.
Seville incidentally was the only place that C and I ever had a ride in a horse-drawn carriage together. In fact, I think, it was the only place she ever rode in one.
Seville
The coach parked by the River Guadalquivir in Seville and I walked into and around the city centre.
In the past C and I have climbed the bell tower of the cathedral, which used to be the minaret of the mosque, that was rebuilt as the cathedral. But as it was Palm Sunday, the cathedral was closed
Cadiz
I’d been to Cadiz before with C and only had a brief time in the city, as I took the tour to Seville from the ship.
Note the bridge to nowhere or La Pepe bridge! Is it one of numerous infrastructure projects in Spain, caught up in the recession?
Summing Up Gibraltar
Gibraltar to me, was a bit like a cross between an old-fashioned and well-kept British sea-side town and Hong Kong before the handover. although, the only thing Chinese I saw in Gibraltar was a couple of restaurants.
The real problem with Gibraltar on this trip was the weather, as it was atrocious after I’d got to the top of the Rock.
In fact, I’d once suggested to C, that we fly in my plane to Gibraltar, as I wanted to try out the unusual approach. But she wasn’t keen and I think at the time, it would have meant a roundabout route to avoid Spanish airspace. So we went elsewhere!
So would I go back? I think the answer could be yes, if the right circumstances arose, such as being just over the Spanish border with a friend, who was driving.
But I doubt they will ever arise!
Lady Moura
This super-yacht was docked in front of us.
Lady Moura
It’s funny, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a yacht like this, owned by someone I respect.
Lady Moura is owned by Saudi businessman; Nasser Al-Rashid.
Climbing The Rock Of Gibraltar
I didn’t walk up, as there is a cable car.
The views are fairly spectacular, but be warned, that there is only tourist attractions at the top and I needed some tissues and some chocolate and couldn’t buy them.
As you can see, I saw the Barbary macaques, but many who went up later in the rain didn’t, as just like us, they probably don’t like rain. The macaques are true monkeys and not apes. Although unlike some species of monkeys they didn’t seem to be trying too hard to steal from and annoy visitors. I didn’t hear one human alarm call, whilst on the Rock.
Visiting the macagues is a very different wildlife experience, as you just walk around them, whilst both species observe the other. I even saw a couple in the town below.
It was quite a long walk on the top of the Rock, but as it was generally downhill, I managed it. However, because of the rain and my rhinitis, I was having difficulty with maintaining a good pace. Luckily, there were a few places to sit.
Eventually, I found a bus stop and got a bus back to the main bus terminal, from where I took a shuttle taxi back to Oriana.
The Anonymous Widower 