Seville, Spain

Sevilla (Seville in English) is the bull fighting and flamenco dancing capitol of the world.  The Spanish Empire flourished here in the 16th century.  The explorers Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan and Amerigo Vespucci sailed from Sevilla - at that time the River Guadalquivir provided an excellent harbour, and Queen Isabella liked Sevilla because it was far enough inland to afford protection from pirates.

Today, Sevilla has its share of impressive sights - the grand Cathedral of Seville, the Alcazar, the Plaza de Toro, the labyrinth Santa Cruz Quarter and Maria Luisa Park with its Moorish style Plaza de Espana.  The riveting flamenco shows feature strumming guitarists, traditional dancers and passionate singers.  Flamenco has a strong Muslim influence since the Moors ruled this part of Spain for seven centuries until 1492. 



Matthew & Nicole at the Oldest Bullfighting Ring in Spain
Plaza de Toro
Seville Spain



Flamenco Show
Seville, Spain



Horse Carriage
Maria Luisa Park
Seville, Spain



Nicole with Horse
Seville, Spain



Plaza de Espana
Sight of the 1929 Worlds Fair
Seville, Spain



The Alhambra Palace, Granada

The Moors held Granada until 1492.  Who were the Moors?  They were a group from North Africa of "Berber" descent.  They conquered Spain in 700 AD.  While most of Europe slumbered through the Dark Ages, Moorish civilization advanced in mathematics, engineering and art.  Built mostly in the 14th century, their Alhambra Palace shows off the refined and elegant Moorish lifestyle.  Since water is both rare and precious in most of the Islamic World it was the purest symbol of life to the Moors.  The Alhambra is filled with fountains and fancy gardens built and planted over 600 years ago.  Moorish engineers built aqueducts and an extensive system of running water / irrigation.  Fountains were set to tell time, with sculpted lions spouting at 2 pm each day.  After the Spanish re-conquered the Iberian Peninsula in 1492, the powerful Moorish Sultan, "Boabdil" went home crying in retreat; his Palace, the Palacios Nazaries, and its amazing engineering and architecture fell into disrepair.  But even so, when you visit the palace today you can still see the carved wood ceilings, stucco "stalactites" mosaic ceramic tile and filigree windows.  The finely carved Arabic script "only Allah is victorious" is repeated 9000 times though out the palace.



Alhambra Palace
Granada, Spain



Matthew & Nicole
Alhambra Palace
Granada, Spain




Alhambra Palace Gardens
Granada, Spain



"Rock of Gibraltar"

Gibraltar is an unusual place.  It is a territory of the United Kingdom.  To cross the border, you have to enter through Spain, and take a bus that drives right across the airport runway.

Airport Runway with Road Crossing
Gibraltar

In Gibraltar, we went to the "Rock of Gibraltar" (426 meters high) and took a cable car to the top. 



View from the top of Gibraltar
Gibraltar

Climbing, jumping, and swinging all over the Rock of Gibraltar, are hundreds of Barbary Apes.  The Barbary Ape is the only breed of monkey/ape/chimpanzee in Europe.



Barbary Apes
Gibraltar



Nicole with the Barbary Apes
Gibraltar

Inside of the Rock of Gibraltar lurks St. Michael's Cave, a beautiful cave that is thousands of years old.



Matthew & Nicole
St. Michael's Cave
Gibraltar



St. Michael's Cave
Gibraltar



Portugal

Here we are on Portugal's sunny southern coast: The Algarve.  The beaches are lovely, with plenty of sand and sunshine.  The flowers and exotic rock formations in Lagos are quite spectacular.


Beach
Carveiro, Portugal

Flower
Lagos, Portugal

 

Coastline
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal



Coastline
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal



Sea Cave
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal

Gaelic Hurling Semi-Finals

Nicole, Matthew and Greg went to Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, Ireland Sunday, August 11th to see the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi Finals between Dublin and Cork.

The skill level of the players was very impressive, and the game was fast paced and exciting.  The game was very close until the final few minutes when Cork broke away from a 22-22 tie to win 27-22.  Cork will now advance to play the winner of other semi final game between Limerick and Clare.  The final championship game will be Sunday, September 8th.



Dublin vs. Cork
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland





Cork Player Advancing
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland



Dublin Player Shot on Goal
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland



Cork Player Inbound
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland

Rollerblading in Derry / Londonderry

Sunday, August 4th Matthew, Nicole and Jennifer rollerbladed along the River Foyle.  They crossed the Peace Bridge at Derry / Londonderry.



Nicole & Jennifer
Peace Bridge
Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

Matthew & Jennifer
Peace Bridge
Londonderry, Northern Ireland



Matthew & Nicole
Peace Bridge
Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

Guild Hall
Londonderry, Northern Ireland



Praha, Czech Republic

Leaving Vienna by train we arrived in "Prague" on Thursday, July 25th.

In the 14th century Prague was one of Europe's leading cities.  Today, the city feels vibrant and free after the fall of communism in 1989.  Old Town Square is ringed by buildings with Art Nouveau facades; medieval market stalls have been replaced with cafes and souvenir shops.  Our favorite building was the Old Town Hall famous for its astronomical clock - we loved watching it strike the hour with sweeping hands, celestial symbols, revolving disks and trumpet accompaniment.  It is the oldest working clock in the world.  We enjoyed one of the most pleasant strolls in Europe, crossing the glorious Charles Bridge.  Finally, we saw the "changing of the guard" at Prague Castle.

Prague is a fantastic city to visit and we highly recommend it!



Astronomical Clock
Prague, Czech Republic

 

View from the Charles Bridge
Prague, Czech Republic



St. Nicholas Church
Prague, Czech Republic



Old Town Square Building
Art Nouveau Architecture
Prague, Czech Republic



Prague Castle - Changing of the Guard
Prague, Czech Republic



Prague Castle Guard
Prague, Czech Republic