The first week of the travel was mostly in Madrid (co. incentive trip) and I then extended another week together with some other friends with stopovers in Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Seville, Cordoba and back to Madrid. Since it would take a lot of explanation on the places I went to, I will try to link them. So if you see a highlighted word, click on it for more information.
On Mar 20, three bus loads of consultants arrived in Madrid, Spain. After sitting in the plane (with a short transit in Bangkok) for about 16 hours and with a -6 hour difference, we mustered all the strength we have left to face the itinerary ahead of us.
North-Eastern side of Cervantes monument, located at Plaza de Espana, where you can also find the bronze statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.The cold weather and wonderful scenery kept me going; I was giddy with pure excitement at the thought of capturing these scenes and many others. Furthermore, this was my first time in Spain, my adrenalin got a boost. Soon enough, we were whisked off to the nearby Royal Palace.
Taken outside the gates of the Royal Palace
Part of the courtyard on the inside
The Royal Palace Hall with "guards" overlooking the area
One of the many elaborate rooms in the Royal Palace
Each room has it's own design and different doors too
The ceilings are beautiful and each room is a masterpiece
To be continued....
Taken outside the gates of the Royal PalacePart of the courtyard on the insideThe Royal Palace Hall with "guards" overlooking the areaOne of the many elaborate rooms in the Royal PalaceEach room has it's own design and different doors tooThe ceilings are beautiful and each room is a masterpieceAlmost towards the end of the Royal Palace tour, my energy level was dropping fast and the bunch of us left for dinner in the nick of time before I fell asleep in one of the dark hidden corners of the huge Royal Palace! Ha ha ha....A Night At The Royal Palace, with the statues and what nots coming alive. That sounds like a movie script waiting to be snapped up. Oh...wait a minute....something like that has already been done. Bummer!
To be continued....
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the beauty of Spain with us. Looks like you had nice weather too. The statues/carvings are magnificent. I love the panelling in the second last picture.
ReplyDelete*looking around with quiet oohs & aahs*
ReplyDeleteMadrid is fantstic and I understand how tiring it can be. The museums, the Zara warehouse store...:)
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you started your photo-blogging with Madrid, cos I've never been there myself, only Barcelona. So beautfiful and the artwork/building design so intricate!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you were there on such sunny days! :)
lyrical lemongrass & kenny : The weather there was great mostly but on certain days we had fickle weather. It would be sunny one minute, cloudy the next. It rained too and even snowed one day. I experienced hailstones another day!
ReplyDeletetummythoz : That was how quiet I was too, admiring and in awe of the places I went to.
edwin : Yes, lots of places to go to...Mmm, you're a Zara man! :o)
Wow!! The ceiling look so spectacular...ok, will add Spain to my 'travel list'.
ReplyDeleteomg, sooooooooo beautiful!!! thanks for showing da photos.... looks like i got to save more $$$$$ and fly there! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures...wow, so artistically composed. I want to go now.
ReplyDeletePrecious Pea : A lot of dome shaped ceilings around...mostly with beautiful artwork or intricate designs.
ReplyDeleteMeiYen : Yes, I believe it's one country we should include in the list of "must visit".
Rasa Malaysia : Thanks...Go now? Really? Hee hee...
yr pics looked so beautiful, as if i'm literally there with you :p
ReplyDeleteWow.. those pictures reminded me of the movie The Haunting. Ops.. I like the ceiling, it's really a great masterpiece.
ReplyDeletewmw,
ReplyDeleteWow! Good shots! Envy you - I wanna become single again.
Wonda
babe_kl : Thanks for the wonderful compliment! Good things are to be shared...am glad you felt as if you were literally there.
ReplyDeletejason : Actually, to think of it, it can be quite scary if you were walking in such places alone.
Wonda : Thanks for the compliment. Ha ha ha...You can still travel, wait till your boy boy no longer needs mommy to be around. Pack your bags and go!
These pictures are amazing!!! One more thing, I am joyful and thankful and HAPPY for is I can finally visit you, YAAAAAHHHHOOOOO!!!
ReplyDeleteI luv the 3rd pic the most, taken from a hole of the gate (??) I'll definitely visit Spain if Airasia flies there :P
ReplyDeleteFirehorse : I'm so HAPPY to see you here too....YIPPEEEE!
ReplyDeletexiu long bao : Yeah, that's the hole from the gate, would have been better if I had allowed a bit more room at the top. :o) Airasia to Spain? A dream...but in time who knows?
I'm not sure I'll take it though, Airasia to Spain. Just taking a flight to Europe on a normal plane with amenities felt rough to me, but a budget airline for over 13 hours? :P
ReplyDeleteThey planned to fly to Manchester though...
ReplyDeletewmw: That's correct too, like there's many pairs of eyes watching at you.
Wow! Like watching Lonely Planet in your blog liddat!!
ReplyDeleteImagine, how the artisans and architects did it without the use of heavy machinery and cranes..
*looks in awe*
I keep thinking your title is Holy Spain! Because each time I see the gorgeous buildings, I go "Holy moly!!" LOL
wmw,
ReplyDeleteyou are so lucky! Can travel to so many places before! I wish I can do that next time. :)
Kenny : Maybe they'll have a different fleet? Who knows...Anything's possible.
ReplyDeletejason : Yup, any idea how much is the fare? Yeah, not only a pair in this case...many pairs! Yikes!
kat : Yes, it's truly a wonder. Ha ha ha...Maybe I should change it to HOLY Spain!
kok : All in good time, after your studies I suppose. I'm not lucky, blessed maybe :o)
I also want to go to spain!! Very beautiful pictures you took..
ReplyDeletesomeone : Yes, must go...A country that we should visit (like how we must visit Disneyland, ha ha ha...). Thanks for the compliment.
ReplyDeletewahh im dreaming of having dinner...with a nice desert ...desert wine.. then looking up, ...all the angles.. wahhhh syok man
ReplyDeleteteckiee : Ok, that will be 8 Euros for entrance fee! LOL...
ReplyDeletewelcome back, am so glad you had a great time there :) Now now, aside from all the preety murals and wonderful architecture, what did you eat there btw ? *grins* oo, when u do come here in summer, I bet when u see Venetian, Ceasars Palace and Monte Carlo in LV, you will say..ah, I've seen tt hehe :)
ReplyDeleteChange of plans, most probably not going to States this year...Might have to postpone to next year. So, if you are back here in Malaysia this summer, we can meet up. :o)
ReplyDelete