IBIZA

Ibiza was the crazy island we expected. We arrived at 3pm to a deserted island - it was only after sundown that people woke and started to party!! We were there for 3 nights, we hired a scooter and spent our days exploring the small beaches all over the island. The beaches were clean and white and the water was a beautiful blue. We ate lunch in private resorts with pools and sun lounges overlooking the ocean. In the evenings we hit the bars in Ibiza town, watched the sun set over San Antonio drinking cocktails at Cafe del Mer, and the major event Tuesday night Carl Cox @ Space. It was the best night out ever with a cool outdoor patio bar and the main pumping rooms and the drinks were quite reasonable only 38euros for 2 vodka redbulls!!

Madrid

Madrid was a chance to see another side of Spain. We went to the world famous Meseo del Prad0 to see Spanish art and Meseo Thyssen-Bornemisza to see the $300 million collection. The Palacio Real (palace) was the grandest of all the palaces we have seen and that is saying a lot!!!! Outside the Palace we had a romantic picnic with baguettes and olives and a busker playing Spanish guitar across the park!


We went to see a live Flamenco performance in an intimate theater- Casa Patas- it was very intense, Warren loved seeing their dramatic facials!! We had Churros, the local dessert - long donut dipped in syrupy hot chocolate at the famous cafe- Chocolateria San Gines.

We also spent some time shopping in the many outside malls - we can see why Posh and Becks liked it here!

La Tomatina

La Tomatina was a highlight and the reason for our visitof Valencia. Every year locals and tourists pack into the thin streets of Bunol, a small town 40 minutes out of Valencia. While we waited to begin big mamma's threw water on the crowd from balconies!

When the cannon goes off several trucks empty their load of squashed tomatoes into the crowd and its the biggest food fight I have ever seen!!! The aim was to keep your thongs on while searching out the cleanest people and smashing them with as much salsa as possible!! Women, children everyone was a target!!

After an hour another cannon went off and everyone magically stopped. The locals appeared with hoses to clean us off and we all met up for sangria and beer. It was a hot day however 43 degrees and the tomato baked on to us making the 40 minute train ride home a bit uncomfortable!

VALENCIA

In Valencia we met up with Mark. An aussie guy we met in Croatia, we we staying in an apartment on the beach with him and a few friends. Well a few friends actually turned out to 14... in a 3 bedroom shoebox. As we had Sophie and a friend coming too we moved into town and found a (cheap) 4 star double room to stay in....Sophie actually bought 5 friends but we all fit in and it was great to see her again!! We went to see Valancia play football, unfortunatly the home side lost 3 - 0 so we could not see the ledgendary celebrations but the small group of opposing fans were doing the celebrating for us - I thought there was going to be a riot!!!

Valencia had long white beaches and the temprature was very hot so we spent days relaxing on the beach - a luxuary for our white british bodies!!

Barcelona

Barcelona was our favourite destination - a nice beach, beautiful parks and La Rumbla - the famous main street where it all happens. We checked out the famous arcitects Gaudi works of La Sagrada Familia (modern cathedral), La Pedrera and the beautiful Parc Guell where Warren fought of women and children to get a photo with the mosaic gecko!!

We visited the Museo Picasso, watched the light and fountain show at La Font Magica and spent days on the beach dodging the asian women shouting "Massahi, massahi" (Spanish for massage!)

San Sebastian

San Sebastian was supposed to be 4 days of lying on a beautiful beach eating delicious tapas..... it rained the entire time and the Spanish have no concept of vegetarianism!! Oh well it was a beautiful town with cobble stone streets and many little bars! We went from bar to bar helping ourselves to the hot snacks on the bar and beer. You simply show the bar tender your toothpicks to pay - it was fun!

SPANISH HOLIDAY 1st stop BILBAO

We started our 3 week holiday in a town called BILBAO - its in the north of Spain on the coast. It was fantastic to be in the hot sun. Right outside our hotal balconey a huge festival was taking place. A parade with singing and music passed right under us and we watched as the spanards danced and partied in the square. We then joined in the party and drank the local tipple - coke and red wine - by the gallon!!!!