November 13th - November 19th - Enchanted City & Cuenca

Madrid, Spain 2015-2016

November 13th - November 19th

Mark has decided to stay with us throughout the week and for another weekend, so we had another active and enjoyable weekend with our guest!

On Saturday we went to a birthday picnic in Retiro park to celebrate our friend from New Zealand turning 30 this week!

After the park we enjoyed a quiet movie night at home.

On Sunday we did a day trip to Enchanted City & Cuenca with a small tour company.  Two of my co-workers, Lindsey and Adele also joined us!

We left Madrid at 9am and went to Enchanted City first.  The Ciudad Encantada or "Enchanted City" is a geological site where the erosive forces of water and weather have shaped the rocks into various shapes.

Tornado

Ship

Forbidden Kiss

A crocodile and elephant fight

Next we went to Cuenca, a city that began as an Arab fortress in 714, due to its strategic location. The city fell under control of the forces of King Alfonso II in 1177. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996.

The Cathedral of Cuenca, A Norman-inspired structure, work began in the year 1196 and was completed in 1125. Most of the façade was rebuilt after it crumbled down in 1902.

Drinking the fresh water from the fountain.

Famous for the hanging balconies.

After another amazing day trip on Sunday, Monday was more of a relaxed day to show Mark another neighbourhood near us, get a cup of coffee, do some Spanish homework and catch up on chores.

Wednesday morning Mark went to the airport to catch his flight to London for the week but he stored most of his stuff with us because Mark will return for another few nights before his next journey.

Life in Madrid - November 6th - November 12th - Our first visitor & day trip to Toledo

Madrid, Spain 2015-2016

November 6th - November 12th

We have a visitor!

(sorry for the font sizes...experiencing some technical difficulties)

Danny's friend Mark from University came to visit us this week.  He has been traveling for the last several months and took a fast train from a small town in France to Madrid.  

We keep him busy taking him all around the city, exploring touristy sites we were saving for his arrival!

The first day we toured around the city and went to the Prado museum in the evening.  

Gran Vía Street.  This street is constantly filled with tourist and is a very famous street.  Usually it has cars on it but it was closed for a small demonstation.

Plaza del Sol.  Said to be the centre of Spain.  Another touristy area usually packed with people.

Plaza Mayor.  This historical plaza was where they had government buildings and meetings.

It appears to be a curved building

Very cool market full of amazing looking food products but packed with people.

A small church

Cool arch

Names of some of the famous artists who are displayed in the museum of El Prado.

In the front entrance

The main hall

The second day we took a day trip to a small town less than an hour outside of the city called Toledo. Toledo is a town from the medieval period.  Part of it is surrounded by a river that was used
for protection and the town was also inclosed in a fortress wall for protection like you would see in medieval movies.

The menu of the day for the restaurant we ate lunch in.  It was so filling and delicious!

A fortress 

They sold swords and armour.

On the train that took us on a tour to see the city from the outside perspective,

One of the bridges to enter the town.

The fortress from the distance.

Danny & Mark

View of the town

Another bridge around the town.

One of the gates into the town.

Very beautiful at night!

The outside at night,

The third day we went to the park where I taught a yoga class and then we went to the Royal Palace of Madrid.  

Beautiful day at the park!

The cathedral beside the Royal Palace

The Royal Palace

The view from the back of the Palace

A courtyard in part of the Palace

The entrance to the area of the Royal Palace we toured.

A very comfy guest!