Spain-From Badajoz to House sit near Torrevieja!

Our next house-sit was an hour south of Alicante on the south coast of Spain and we needed to be there by 16th September. We went from Badajoz to Merida, to Cordoba, to Almería, to Cartagena, and finally to House-sit near Torrevieja! Needless to say we were feeling pretty tired by the 6th day of travelling, sightseeing, and booking accommodation and transport ahead.

Badajoz

Safely delivered across the border from Elvas in Portugal by taxi to Badajoz, an hour later we caught a train to Merida.

Merida

This is the city of Roman ruins - was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC. Paul read and read and read at each ruins site. He was interested that we were standing in the same location on earth as something that had happened 2000 years ago!

There was an arena 400m long by 100m wide where they did chariot racing.

A Roman arena where they had gladiator and animal fights.

An Ampitheatre where there were shows, and still used today!

Another aqueduct supplying the city with water. This one no longer in use!

A bridge across the river, which is still used today.

In one of the housing areas they had uncovered a dwelling with tile mosaics on the floor which were largely still intact. The dwelling was built at the end of the 1st century.

Cordoba

We enjoyed strolling around the old city with its narrow winding lanes and the 'patios of Cordoba' which in May would have been a picture, but of course we were there in September!

Almeria

A short time was had here but we enjoyed an evening of Spanish music and dance: a male flamenco dancer, accompanied by a guy on a cajon flamenco - box drum that he sat on to play (Akhil has something similar), an amazing guitarist and a singer. The venue was outdoors, on the roof of a house!! We were very lucky to go to thanks to our Airbnb host Anna, as it was a locals event and not a tourist event. 

Cartagena 

Another short overnight visit as this was our last stop before our house-sit. We walked around the streets and the port area, but not an very interesting place!

Why did we travel overland to get to our house sit and not just fly? It would of been cheaper and quicker BUT we would of missed...

• At one point we travelled on a train that reached 300km/hr!
• Another section of the train journey (not at 300km/hr) would out-do many of the well renowned train journeys of the world!- the amazing forever-changing scenery cut through the rocks and gorges.
• We saw thousands of acres of Olive trees, as far as the eye could see on both sides of the train!
• A sea of plastic which was in fact basically constructed low roofed hot houses mainly for tomatoes.
• Solar panel farms.
• 100s of wind turbines.
• Cave dwellings in the hill side and still lived in today. All fully equipped with electrical appliances.

We were so blown away by the vastness of Olive trees and plastic covered ground - that we would estimate that each would equal to the same land area as the whole of the Manawatu. 

Sometimes we both just sat and contemplated about life...