España: Valencia

Another highlight of our trip was going to Valencia.  After stopping at church along the way, we headed to this fascinating city.  I could definitely live here.  Spanish, good weather all year round, beautiful parks and fabulous museums.  

Here we are at the City of Arts and Sciences.  The architecture is incredible and the place is full of various museums. 

Anna and Mariah at the Science Museum.  We came here because this was the cheapest of all the attractions, but it's perfect for kids.

Natasha swinging in Spiderman's lair.

One of the best displays was the Superhero exhibit where kids got to understand some of the "science" behind superheros.  This is supposed to be a giant brick that makes you the size of a spider and shows how spiders use tiny grooves to climb walls.

Help!  It's the Incredible Hulk!

I took Mariah, Tyler and Natasha into the construction zone.  It is cleverly outfitted with soft bricks with which they lift, cart and build structures.

Natasha, the construction worker who was more fascinated with the water exhibit.

Mariah leading construction on the building.  I was amazed at how the kids (even though total strangers) naturally started cooperating with each other to get things done.  What does that say about human nature?

Gulliver's Park.  This is one of the most interesting play structures I have ever seen.  Valencia rerouted the river that used to run through the town (to control flooding).  In its place, it created a giant green space filled with paths and playgrounds (Valencia's version of Central Park).  This play structure is just one of many, but so creative.  It is a giant Gulliver tied down with ropes and filled with all sorts of slides and crevices.  The kids who play on it are the Lilliputians!

 Mariah standing by Gulliver's "hair".

Natasha and Mommy standing just above Gulliver's chest (see his lace blouse).

 The kids could have spent hours here.

Mariah navigating Gulliver's blouse.

Climbing through Gulliver's hand.

 Mariah and Tyler climbing Gulliver's sword.

Goodbye Valencia!

España: Mundomar

One of the highlights of our trip has been the trip to Mundomar.  Basically, it's a mini SeaWorld with lots of animals and shows.  We saw three shows, the dolphin show, the parrot show and the sea lion show.  Because it is wintertime, the place was not too crowded and the kids were able to interact with lots of animals.  They got to kiss sea lions, hold parrots and pet lemurs, see meerkats (just like the one in Lion King).  

The dolphin show was fantastic.  Even Kari said it was better than what she had seen at Sea World.

 Tyler riding the merry-go-round.

At the parrot show.  The parrots kept flying right over our heads.  "Hola!" was their favorite phrase.

Mariah hugging the giant parrot.

"Swing me, Daddy, swing me!"

Playing the African drums.

"Wheeeee!"

"Ziiiip!"

Mariah getting friendly with a sea lion.

Anna too.

Happy times!

Anna petting lemurs.

Mariah too!

Anna, Tyler and Mariah with the parrots.

España: Beach Time!

The best part about where we are staying in Spain is that it is steps away from the beach.  Of course, the weather is not always predictable this time of year, but we did get a few mornings where it reached the mid to high 60's.

Sandcastles are a must at the beach!  Kari (our southern California beach girl) is really good at building these.

Natasha was happy digging in the sand for hours.

Anna Claire digging away.

Dad with Mariah and Anna Claire testing the water.  It was cold!

I just sat like a giant beached whale and relaxed while watching this scene.

Dad and Tyler jumping from the waves.

Natasha likes to hang every chance she gets.

España: Guadalest

Yesterday we drove from Granada up the Costa Blanca to the little beach town of Calpe.  We stayed here last year and it's the perfect place for Rob to bike (between work calls).  We stay at the Hotel SolyMar in a modern 3-bedroom apartment right next to the beach.  It works out perfectly for us!

The Beach at Calpe with its big rock.

Today is Rob's birthday.  We decided to meet him for lunch (after his bikeride) in the scenic town of Guadalest.  They had a darling dollhouse museum at the base of the climb to the castle.  The kids loved the part with all the miniature houses and electric train, as you can see here!

Natasha can't get away from the train.

 The view from the top of Guadalest.

 Here is the Guadalest castle.  Yet another beautiful castle in Spain!

Natasha and Mariah peeking through the rock tunnel that leas to the town.

España: Granada

We spent today exploring the city of Granada.  Fortunately our hotel allowed us to walk everywhere.  In 1492, not only did Columbus sail the ocean blue, but King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel finally conquered the Moors.  They built a beautiful cathedral here to remind all that "Christianity conquered". Right next to the cathedral is a little chapel where Ferdinand and Isabel were buried.  Our kids were fascinated by them because of their role in discovering the New World.

Anna Cathedral in front of the cathedral.

Mariah striking a pose.

The Spanish dancer girls.

Tyler wanted to join in the fun too!  He is King Ferdinand (Fernando).

Anna Claire on a walk through town.

Tyler.

A view of the Alhambra from below.  The outside of the building is not as impressive as the inside.

We wanted to walk around the Albaicin (Old Moorish) section of town.  However, Rob noticed several drug deals going on and it was getting dark, so we decided against it.  I noticed this sign there and had to chuckle.  This says, "Thanks for the help.  Before: tranquility, closeness, security. After: anxiety, isolation, insecurity. SOS Albaicin." Clearly they are hoping to clean up the streets.

A tired family after a long day.