We depart Marabella, climbing once again into the mountains on the road to cliff-top Ronda.
What a spectacular ride in the mountains....filled with homes, villa's, condo's, gated communities, golf courses and more....
Every where you look...more developments.
The farther we get from Marbella the more natural the setting. Loving the view....
our magnificent driver, Antonio, kicks it on the hairpin turns....
almost at the top.... ok there it is...
RONDA
WOW! Around this city are remains of prehistoric settlements dating to the Neolithic Age....but the actual town was settled by the early Celts in the 6th century BC
Of course the Arabs were here...until the disintegration of the caliphate of Cordoba- Ronda became a small Kingdom by Ifran until Taiga of Seville conquered it...more Islamic architectural heritage please....finally ending in 1465...hello Spanish Inquisition. You either converted to Christianity or get out. Annie and her new cork back pack scoot across the bridge to check it out...
Quite the spectacular view....
I guess they don't let the dog out in the back yard...
Bubs does like the former "monk's hacienda" and considers making an offer...
Boca asked Bub to walk to the bottom of the gorge for a blog photo op....not so much...but Pleep did abide...
Yes, the architecture is intriguing and very maintained- no wonder the country was going broke. But then again all that refurb brings in the almighty tourist dollar....
At least the door is interesting....
The tiny streets make for some interesting passing situations...we had to stand back in the doorways.
Spanish-style bullfighting is called corrida de toros (running of the bulls) and practiced in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Southern France (who knew that one!). Each matador has six assistants (2 picadors on horseback, 3 flagmen and a sword servant). Yes, this is a team sport. Lot's of rituals in a bullfight and talk about costumes....lots of silver and golden thread. There are 3 stages in a bullfight...who knew. Boca so wanted to see a bullfight but not in the schedule. Bullfighting is criticized by many animal rights activist who claim is is a cruel blood sport i which the ill suffers severe stress and a slow and tortuous death.....but hey, the fighting bull lives 4-6 years whereas the meat cow lives 1-2. The bull's life is spent free roam the pastureland...no predators and lots to eat with full vet service thrown in for good measure. The meat of the bull is passed along but for sure the animals die for the entertainment value. And don't forget, some matadors have been gored many times...as a matter of fact a special type of surgeon has developed in Spain and elsewhere to treat the horn wounds. I can see why every bull ring has an infirmary with an operating room....and a CHAPEL.A friend sent me this pic floating around the Internet...ew....
The "Corrida Goyesca" is a unique and historical bullfight that takes place once a year in Ronda in the Plaza de toros de Ronda- the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain. It was built in 1784 in the Neoclassical style by the same guys who designed the bridge- go Jose Martin de Aldehuela.
Giorgio Armani even got in on the bullfighting fashion- he especially designed a suit called "Goyesco" for famed bullfighter ayetano Rivera Ordonez...techno satin, sequins, glitter stones...so so Giorgio. Why are these guys so so tiny? Hey do any woman do this?? After all it is considered a performance art? Today, it is now common of a bullfighter to be born ito a family of bullfighters.
My little bullfighter....looks like they are setting up for a bash in the middle of the bullfighting ring. Watch it Bubs- 533 professional bullfighters have been killed in the arena since 1700.
All exits lead through the gift shop....and Pleep insisted on a pint size matador and bull.
Yes Bub- so you. Since reading Michner's "The Drifters" in college Boca has always want to see the running of the bulls in Pamplona as well. Be sure to get that and the bullfight on the ol'Bucket list Bubs. And do bring the hat. Yes, Bubs it's time to eat...
We have had some very delicious meals on this Tauck Tour. Bravo. Much better chow than the River Cruise...
Never mind Hemmingways's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and the Spanish Civil War. Boca needs some water for once. Keep that dream alive Bubba.First stop the Alahambra Palace Hotel....
Oh, very orange.
Bubs, are you constipated?
There's the ALAHAMBR PALACE...right next to our hotel. Sweet.
Inspired by the beauty of the Alahambra this historic hotel is our home for the next 2 nights.
Offering stylish hotel accommodations since 1910...
Boca eyes a wedding in the works...as a matter of fact Miss Boca, there will be 2 today. Eureka!! double my pleasure, double my fun!!
Is the bed big enough for you Bubs??? Who slept in my bed??? Charles De Gaulle? Eva Peron? Dalai Lhama? Maybe the Spanish National Football Team/2005? And of course Brad Pitt? What's up with that? Every where we go, he's already slept there. Hmm.
During the renovation they were not allowed to touch (remove) the tiles....making Boca dizzy every time she had to....well, you know.
We enjoyed a very fine meal in the hotel dining room,-Motril fishes, valley veggies, fruits from the valley of Lecrin and all kinds of coastal crops to enjoy. The gastronomy was superb.
With a great view of the city....
Some after dinner private entertainment....
While Bubs loves the Tango, Boca and Pleep are partial to FLAMENCO- lots of noise! Flamenco is a form of Spanish folk music and dance from the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. It includes singing, guitar playing, dance and handclaps. In recent years flamenco has become popular all over the world and is taught in many countries and can you believe in Japan there are more academies than there are in Spain!
You go girl!
Lots of clapping going on while they dance- Pleep so enjoys participating..
