Family trip in Andalucia

Here you go, our family trip in Spain. I was very much looking forward to this trip. A sister of my husband is living in Madrid and it was her "birthday trip" together with family. First of all, it's always fun with her, secondly, south spain is the place where I long wanted to visit. It's always great to see this reunion of family but the problem of this family is their agressiveness. This, you can refer to my old post, when we traveled to Garicia together 2 years ago. This time, I was telling family "please don't fight".

However, there was lots of action already from the beginning. Our flight has been cancelled and we were stucked in Zurich Airport for 6 hours. We missed one nice Tapas night in Madrid.

But at least we were able to fly to Madrid on this day. We have already organized the train ticket down to Andalucia on the next day so if we couldn't arrive on same day, whole trip would have been ruined.



We missed Tapas dinner but we have fresh, powerful breakfast at hotel Oscar. See my hotel's blog.



Morning in Madird. Waiting for Fay to arrive. Look how similiar these father and son are standing. It seems like they are sending SMS to Fay, telling her "where are you!? Come here as soon as possible!!"

Fay came by taxi. She was already half pissed being stressed by father and brother. I took same taxi with her and she said "yeah, yeah, my family... always stress:)".

But up to this moment, I was fully excited. Soon I can visit Andalucia... where I was dreaming of!!



Cordoba!! Amazing sky!! I have never seen such a blue sky for a long time. What a bright colour!!

But what's makes even more bright is...



Colorful clothing of this family!!



South Spain is one of the interesting lands in the history. It was orginally a catholic land but has been conquered by Islams and belong to them for 400 years until reconquered by Christians.

In the city, you still see many interesting mixture of Islamic culture and Christians. This Mezquita is a good example.



Can't believe that this is a Cathedral.



It was originally a church before Andalucia has been conquered by Muslims. Under the King of Muslim, it has been rebuilt as a Mosque, as gorgeous as the one in Bagdhad.



What's also interesting is that Christians didn't destroy this building after the reconquer. They rebuilt again as a Cathedral. Unlike Mosque, Cathedral must be dark. That's why they closed many windows which used to allowed sunshine in the hall.



Hmmm I love Tapas.



First day in Cordoba went so well. Godzilla soak himself into water whenever he founds fountain.



Now he completely enjoys feet bathing:)



No matter where he is, he goes to the water.



As we walked along the main street, women and men are separated, I was sooo shocked when I see them in fountain! Oh my god!! Is Godzilla now fully in a shower??



Oh, aren't they wet?? It was fun, refreshing fountain in the city where people can cool down. That's something perfect for this family..



Because we can go more crazy after this refreshment from fountain..



I also tried this unique experience with Fay.



After the dinner, we went to check this special event held near church capucinno.



Our first night in Cordoba turned out as such a romantic one..
It was really tempting to have another drink, however I had to prepare for the next day and sleep early. Next day is a big day...because it's a day that I go Granada!!!

Ohhh Granada,,, I can't believe that I finally visit this city. Since I read a book of "Alhambra" this was a place of dream..

We will drive down from Cordoba to Granada. Ok, let's have quick breakfast and go directly to Granada!!!


........however.......as we finished a breakfast at 9pm, Godzilla suddenly stopped in front of the shop. A shop for "Taylor Maid Suits". Although the shop opens 10 minutes later, Godzilla pushed him into this shop and started trying suits. I thought it's a some kind of joke.

Trying trying trying,,,, it took 1 hour and finally other shop in neighbor started open as well.

Now the family moved on to shoes shop. My god, everybody bought pair of shoes!!



....whatever, I have to kick their axx to move on. Let's go NOW to Granada.

and here we are.



Baeza. A small local town. The town was written only for one page in my Guide book. It is a sister city of Ubeda.

We had lunch here.

and here we are!!!



Granada? No.



Ubeda. I admit that this is also a important town in Andalucia. As Christians reconquered this area, they was based in this town and tried to attack major towns such as Cordoba and Granada.



we had coffee here. Ok, it IS a nice place. But now we really have to go to Granada!! It's already 3pm!!
Just take a highway a go straight!!!!





I mean, where the hell it is..



When exaclty did we cross the continent and reach to Africa...?



Guess what, we are driving through a winding winding National Park, through the mountain!!



OH MY GOD!



Me myself, slowly giving up enjoying the city Granada and taking photo with family.

and this was it!!



We found a huuuugeeeeeee ocean between the mountain!!

As you know, our family goes into water no matter where they are. If they find such a great "ocean"..



You cannot stop them getting into it.

THIS IS IT.



It was already 21PM when we finally arrived in Granada... No time to check this special Arabic town, no time to enjoy Chai in Arabian Cafe..

Whatever,, all I wish now is to see the palace. Fay made a reservation at 22pm.



As far as I could see the beautiful inside of this magical palace, I could be happy!

We arrived at the palace around 21:30. I was looking for a ticket counter but couldn't find anything. Since it is sooo beautiful from outside, we all took photo and were not sensitive about the reservation time. Godzilla finally find the entrance, it was 22:30.

we showed our ticket and try to get in...

Suddenly a lady at the entrance start saying something in Spanish. Fay, who speaks Spanish , she got pale.

She translated to me saying "we are too late and we cannot get in".




What???


Can't we get in??

Cannot be!!!

Bomb!! From this point, big family fight has started, claiming what was wrong, who was wrong.

Me, I couldn't think anything anymore. I gave up everything I wanted and this palace was my last hope.

We went back a same street,,,fighting.

I knew this happens. If this whole family travel, it never ends peacefully.

I couldn't believe I'm in my dream town "Granada" seeing nothing. It is such a romantic place, you can see probably the carpet flying in the air.. but I was just being disappointed.


If we had enough time in Spain, it was not a big deal. We can prolong our stay and try the palace next time. The problem is, we have to go back to Zurich already on the next day.

I also wanted to have a birthday dinner of Fay.. That was also not possible. We were all just fighting.


I had to sleep, dreaming of my palace...



On the next day, by breakfast, unbelievable word came out from Godzilla.
"I could arrange Palace' tour for this morning. After breakfast, we go".


What???



And here we are finally. AMAZING.



Dream came finally true, we went in to Palace.



It is a Palace being loved by Muslims and even the Christians preserved later after reconquer.



I couldn't roam around this arabic town, but I was able to see the palace, my fantacy.


It is always a question of your travel style. Obviously, family prefer checking more local places, the culture and the life style of local people. I'm still a person who wants to check a well-known area.

If I had plenty of time, of course I also wanted to enjoy small local villages. I just didn't have time for everything and Granada was too special for me.

After a while back from the trip, I appreciate so much that I could see thos unknown places which is not accesable to everybody. Family travel is not always easy but this one is another unforgettable trip in my life.



and our family is again today, all together enjoying bathing in Zurich Lake. Soon, Fay is coming back from Madrid!


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