Ramkhamhaeng Baan

This new year in Thailand we moved to a new Thai style house.  Perks in our new neighborhood is walking distance to the morning and night fresh market, restaurants,  taxi's are easy to get,  same travel time to school,   we have a mango tree in our backyard, our own fish pond and an indoor enclosed kitchen!  Our new mailing address in case anyone wants to know is:

16 Ramkhamhaeng 166/10
Min Buri, Bangkok Thailand
10510

Spain

 As we ended our first year teaching in Thailand, we decided before we went HOME,  to spend some time in Europe. Spain was number one on our list.  First we arrived in Madrid in the pouring rain, and we aren't lying when we say is was "chilly" even though it was 80 degrees out. We stayed in downtown Madrid for two nights.

Downtown Center of Madrid

Subway 

Museo Del Prado

Sellers along the cobblestone streets

Plaza Major

After getting our car that we rented, we hit the road down south of Madrid to a Medieval  town called Toledo.  There we stayed just one night  with a great couple who lives in the town.  Toledo has the Tagus River that runs right along side the walled city. The history dates back to 192BC with  it being ruled by Rome.

Our next stop was 3 hour south of Toledo in the city of Granada.  This city sits on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada's and is known for Alhambra, the palace of  Isabella and  Ferdinand,  there is major Arab influences, gypsy caves, flamenco dancing and free tapas :) 

Grounds of Alhambra

Streets of Granada

Gypsy Caves

Arab Bath House

View of Granada

Arab Architecture 

Alhambra

Olive Orchards

Lake by the Sierra Nevadas on a h

Alhambra Palace grounds

Alhambra Palace grounds

Next stop was the ocean town of Valencia.   There we met our friend Meghan who flew in for a long weekend with us.  Valencia had beaches,  paella, bike riding and wine wine wine!

Bodega EL Angosto 

Bodega EL Angosto

Bodega EL Angosto

City of Arts and Sciences

Mercat De Central

Vi-Ci Bike Share

Valencia Beach 

Jamon y Mercat Central  de Valencia

City of Arts and Sciences

City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia Paella

We then went to a small town called Miravet that is 2 hours North of Valencia.   This town is small, quiet and in a beautiful setting with trees, mountains and a river.  The house we stayed at was built by two architects into the rocks of a castle just above.  This was truly a town with traditional Spanish influence still in tact.

Wine Co-Op

Co-Op Interior

Finally the last leg of our trip was in beautiful Barcelona. In Barcelona  we did a city walking tour in the gothic quarter, went to the man made beach,  saw Gaudi's arcitecture all around the city, went to the Picasso Museum and Sagrada Familia.  Sagrada Familia is the Catholic Church that is still being built even after 185 years!

La Sagrada Familia- Nativity Facade

Beautiful Stain Glass inside

The Passion Facade side of the church 

Interior that was designed to look like tree trunks 

Picasso's Art work

Gaudi's Work

Sculptures were everywhere

Favorite Sour Candy Store

La Rambla Street

Favorite Tapas Bar

Amazing Tapas

Bird's eye view of Barcelona