Granada - one day was not enough

This sight was a common one as we meandered through the larger streets of the main City. After being further impressed by the food prices $5 each for a full breakfast we set off the pick up our tickets to the Alhambra (wiki definition here). This UNESCO world Cultural site is Spain's premier attraction we are told not to miss it. But walkup entry to the site is impossible so tickets must be  booked on line and then picked up before entry at a special ATM type kiosk. The one we were off to see was in the large public area of the City near the Cathedral. Only 8,000 visitors per day are allowed on the site and when we booked, online the early visit times were taken and we picked 1400 hrs and hoped that the sun would not be to hot that day.

Anyway yesterday was that day and it started off brisk and ended up nice 26 degrees. But prior to the leaving of the hotel the saga with the car had to be completed. After finding the hotel in the maze instructions were given to park the car outside on the street as the space in the garage was gone. "But you have to move it before eight!" Up at seven thirty to move the car, it was naturally hemmed in by the car behind me and as I get in the onlookers on the street all had the same attitudy look - "What you can't get out of there?" I did after a seventeen point turn, and following the map I drove three kms to get to a garage less than fifty yards away, but up a one-way street. Squeezing into the last space available I felt secure enough to start out on foot.

So leaving the 'maze' we entered downtown and proceeded to meander. Wandering around the area about the Cathedral our mind was made up for us, not to enter (just how many churches can you see on one trip, all the Cities have them!), by the cost to enter 8 euros ($12). So waving off the 'sage ladies' - Rick Steves describes them as "down and out women who accost you trying to pin a piece  of sage on you and them demanding a tip".  couple of pics of the street scene are below.

 This one was a beauty, just park where you can buddy!

These are wonderful inventions - coin-operated Banos.

Anyway after the meander we settled on a place to have coffee and people watch before leaving to go to the Alhambra. We soon learned the hard way the difference between 'cafe con leche' and cafe con crema, at least at this place. Having spoken the wrong phrase we were surprised to see our 'coffee con crema' - a coffee glass half filled with dark coffee and topped up with whipped cream. Eating half the cream and then stirring the rest into the coffee gave us a very good tasty drink, But at three times the normal price we learned to order the proper item.

Back to the car and driving to the Alhambra was a breeze, found a space and at 1230 we presented ourselves at the gate. Noticing our tickets were stamped 1400 the gatekeeper officiously told us "Come back at 1400". So we attempted to find the free stuff in the place to kill time. Our travel guru Rick Steves explained in his guide book, ensconced on my e-reader, that we should do this. So strolling leisurely (we had to kill time) we found ourselves at the top of the site and the place to lineup at. Again "Come back at 1400". Even when we tried to enter the Fort the same refrain, so biting down on an icecream we stood in line.

Finally the appointed time arrived and we entered the Palace, the finest example of Moorish relics in Spain - it was outstanding, impressive and worth the wait. Moving from room to room we saw the interior of the Sultan's Palace, as it was in the Tenth Century. This self-guided tour lasted about a half hour and we exited into the gardens.

Now we were allowed to go anywhere we moved into the Palace of Carlos V, another large square building with a large interior circular courtyard.

 

Then on to the Fort,  climbed to the top and enjoyed the view - time to leave. 

Onto the highway to the next place to stay - a small hotel in Iznajar, an inland Town on the way to Cordoba. This is where we met up with an old friend from my Army days, he now lives part time in Spain and is building a house in Iznajar - it was on the way to Cordoba so we agreed to meetup. We did and caught up over a meal in a rustic Mensa, for an even cheaper rate than previous days. The meal for four with drinks and wine came to ninety euros, $135.

Off to Cordoba Today.