Alicante was our next stop on our 7 days in a row of ports! Half way there and this was going to be a “walking” day. We met our tour guide, who Ted had found through Free Tours Alicante, who provided a custom tour for us (which was not free) of the Santa Barbara Castle and walk to the Old Town market of Alicante. Lucky for us, the Santa Barbara Castle’s elevator was operating – as it is a LONG winding road up the hill to the top. I do not say this often but I was impressed with the Engineering that took place to make this historic place accessible to everyone! Even with the two grades that it stops at, Andrew and I could not help going up the extra 500 feet or so to the very top of the castle, while Pat and Ted waited in the shade of a terrace. Once back down in the city, we walked through the town to the Market which was in a wonderful historic building! Similar to Granville Island but VERY European and it sure shows why Europeans go shopping every day or two for food rather than once a week or so like we do – the food is just so fresh it is better that way! On the top floor of the 2 floor market were cheeses, breads and wine and on the bottom floor (yes there were tiny elevators) there was produce, meat and fish. What a cultural experience! Then we walked quickly back to the ship to get there in time for all aboard!
Cruising into AlicanteThe beach, recently cleaned!The plaza where we met our tour guideYou see that wall above the building on left – the top!The “face” profile of the rockThe valley to right of face – was bombed in warAccess area for beach – more in summerLine up to pay for elevator (senior/pwd free)The endless tunnel to elevatorElevator room – two lifts – one for publicAnother tunnel to 1st level of castleEntrance to castleBeautiful hangings depicting the timesBeautiful hangings depicting the timesBeautiful hangings depicting the timesOriginal Castle – 1575Castle after bombing – 1709Today’s castle – 1986Etchings from when castle a prisonThe Church that “exploded” – not rebuiltBuilding in castleCactus from Arizona!Inassessible part of castleThrough a canon turretPat, guide, Ted and AndrewThe road up to the castlePeople walking up the roadAnd where they have come from!More buildingsMore terrace graffiti!View to EastView to West and shipOn 2nd “level” – Coat of Arms for AlicanteWalkway to gun turretWhere Andrew and I are going to climb!View of flowers on climbCanon at readyView of Alicante cityHistoric area we will see outside ofCathedral we will seeThickness of the wall!Who are those two in the turret?Who goes up must walk down…Those stones are bumpy…REALLY bumpy – 3 more switchbacks to go!See that turret? Where we came from! Elevator now!At sea level – old city wallI love these balconies!City Hall plus walkway to old citySculpture in City HallOur tour guideMore street viewsStreet signsMore Palm trees!Old door to the churchWriting on outside of church wallsWriting on outside of church wallsWriting on outside of church wallsDecoration above new church entranceInside of church in AlicanteLocal plazaLocal plazaEntrance to Alicante MarketUpper level of marketHave some cheese and sliced meat!Pat admiring all the fresh veggiesLook at those artichokes!HUGE leeks!Herb vendorMeat vendorFish vendorFloundering for a good deal…Main seashore tile walkwayRoundabout water fountain display
