Europe Adventure 2007

Segovia to Valencia - 2 April

An early start (truly, with a 6am rise) required no less than a chocolate croissant still warm from the oven and water for the bus ride to Madrid. The bus ride didn´t feel like long at watching the sun come up over the colourful farms. We were delivered directly to the impossible to find underground bus stop only to realise that the next bus to Valencia leaves from the other side of town. A quick metro and we were again searching for a tiny bus stop only to realise it was a metropolis of activity behind another hotel.

Arriving in Valencia was less than impressive with no idea of where we were and only a Spannish version of the tourist guide available. After finally sqwabling for an English map we strutted off confidently into the historic streets of Valencia. It was not long until we were standing in a hostel to be told there were no beds left. A short walk round the corner and we had a bed in a Spannish Pension (cheap accommodation).

Pizza and bread stick snacks kept us going then onto the most disorganised camping equipment store on Earth where we found nothing. The Basilica Virgin de Los Desamparados was a replica of Notre Dame in many ways, possibly from the same plans. A service going on across the immense room with choir singing which added great ambience.

Dinner was a true backpackers affair with takeaway pasta salad and confit of duck (we think) sitting in the main square. Interestingly there were two clock towers which chimed one after the other so we did not know the correct time.

A Day in Valencia - 3 April

It was a gorgeous sunny day luckily so we made haste to the first day of trials for the 32nd America's Cup match racing. Just offshore we could see the boats jostling for position. Entering the complex Steve was berrated by the security guard for carrying a pocket knife, thankfully returned at the end of the day. It was evident that plenty more work is required before the main event commences. Our highlight was to activity participate in racing the yachts! You are asking yourself how, rest assured they were only 3 feet long and in a pool no deeper than your knee, what fun.

Our short stroll back to the historic centre of town was via the immense green space stretching the entire way around the city. Mostly notably, Valencia has some of the most impressive modern architecture we have seen. The parks were filled with activities and people which gave us enough to look at.

A splurge on dinner was necessary to replenish so we asked 'tondo Esta el supermacado?' and found ample supplies for a gourmet meal in our smokey room. With an early (6am) start required it was time for sleep after a great day in this modern Spannish seaside town.