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.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Rob's birthday.  Happy Birthday to a wonderful husband and father!  What better way to spend a birthday than biking and playing on the beach in Spain?  Because we weren't at home, Rob didn't get a fancy cake this year.  But we found a yummy chocolate cake at the little grocery store below our apartment.

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.  

España: The Alhambra

We are enjoying life in sunny, warm España right now.  Rob went down to southern Spain for a week and we just joined him.  We were too cheap to pay the enormous checked bag fee on Easy Jet, so I brought carry-ons for all the kids.  This turned into a nightmare as Kari and I tried to maneuver around the Geneva airport and its multiple stairs and escalators.  But we finally made it -- despite Natasha and Tyler escaping through the border control without any adult supervision!  

Our rental car is huge -- a 9-seat Opel Vivaro.  It definitely fits all 7 of us plus Rob's bike, but it is not fun to maneuver the manual shift.  We immediately drove to Granada to see the Alhambra.  Just seeing this, I think, was worth the entire trip.

 Tyler checking out some of the buildings and happy to be outside!

 Hi family!

 Cuckoo!

 Natasha in front of King Charles V's palace.

Natasha doing ablutions.  I like this tradition.

 The view of the old Moorish quarter of Granada.

Spirals.

Mommy and Anna at the reflecting pool.

It's hard to get everyone to participate in photos -- hair pulling, tongue sticking and Natasha has just run away.

The decor was magnificent.

Tyler is a bit tired of all the touring.

The 12-lion fountain.

Mariah the royal princess.

The ceilings and walls were covered with Arabic script and decor giving a "celestial" feeling to many of the rooms.

 Mariah and Anna Claire with a view of the Alhambra in the background.  Adios!