Arriving right on time, we sail into the Malaga port, docking at the good pier – right close to town.  Of course, this isn’t going to do us any good, as today we are using more of our credits and taking a ship’s tour to Granada.  On Your Own in Granada, but a ship’s tour nonetheless.  We only chose this as a 2^nd option because the tour we had originally booked was canceled and there wasn’t anything else that really appealed to us.  So, even though we had just been there in May, off we went to Granada….again!  Only this time it was like being on a private tour – there were only 6 of us on the entire full size bus!  Supposedly there were a lot of cancellations (I mean, there was a tour there from Motril – which is far closer – but still!).  It was heavenly, a whole bus to ourselves and a gorgeous drive through the countryside on top of it. 

On the way up, while we stared at the beautiful scenery, our “guide” gave us all the history on the Big Black Bulls that dot the landscape along the major roads – and about which we have always wondered.  Developed as a promotion for a brandy company in 1963, the bulls used to have big red letters spelling out company name on them.  They became a favorite of everyone, kids even used them as measuring distances, i.e., the Grandparents were 3 bulls away.  In the 80s, the government outlawed advertising on the roads (because it was too distracting) and ordered the bulls taken down. But people loved the bulls so much they protested and got the bulls listed on the heritage list so they couldn’t be torn down.  A compromise was made by painting over the brand name to keep the bulls from being considered advertising.  There were originally 92 bulls all over the whole country.  The first ones erected were smaller, the last ones the big ones we see here – over 50 feet tall.  Unfortunately, there are less bulls today because Catalonian youth destroyed a lot of the bulls thinking they were symbols of Spanish nationalism – when they were really just nostalgic symbols for everyone. So now we know!

Once in Granada, we all (all being a relative term) separate and go our own ways. We decided since we hadn’t been to Alhambra in almost 10 years, we’d walk up the hill to at least visit the gardens and grounds (not having purchased interior tickets in advance – a necessity with Alhambra). Off we troop, through the city, past the always spectacular grand architecture, the Plaza Isabel Catolica with the fabulous statue/fountain of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabel and on up Cuesta de Gomerez, the street that leads up to the Gate of the Pomegranates, the access point to Alhambra.

We’ve got plenty of time, so we stop along the way at the aptly named Coffee Café & Bar for 2 cappuccinos before making the steep but relatively easy climb all the way up Cta. De Gomerez. 

Once through the gate, we head off into the Alhambra forest on a much steeper path, passing fountains and a perplexing statue of Washington Irving – later searching found that Irving wrote the book “Tales of the Alhambra” after being taken with the palace and his desire to save it as a historical monument.  It seems by the early 1800s, Alhambra had fallen into disrepair, was inhabited by “vagabonds” and travelers, and its walls covered in graffiti.  He took umbrage to the desecration and took it upon himself to fight for the preservation of the monument.  Travel = knowledge!

Entering through Puerta de la Justica with its small chapel in between the fortified walls, we commence our exploration of the gardens, the wide patios and views across the valley from Alhambra’s perch above the city.  The place is packed with people, most waiting for their timed entry into the palace, but surprisingly enough, there is still plenty of open space where we can snap photos without the crowds.

Walking back down from the Alcazaba area, we circle the Museo de Alhambra and its formidable exterior (of which we have the same pictures from 2018!) then visit the Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Alhambra.

Since it is still early, we head into the Museo Bellas Artas, the amazing archeological museum and fine arts museum. Entering through the porticoed entrance, we wander through varied displays of ancient books, old architectural features, wood carvings and medieval pottery. Totally fun and fascinating.

Done with our explorations, we exit through Puerta de la Justica finding a huge crowd at the sloped entrance.  We can’t decide what they are all doing here – but the media is involved and what appear to be politicians.  It is either the 40^th anniversary of when UNESCO listed Alhambra as part of the world heritage convention or a part of the campaign to elect Granada as the capital of European culture in 2031.  Oh, and it is also Flamenco Day in the city, which celebrates the date when UNESCO declared Flamenco an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Turns out it is all 3 – celebrating heritage to “build together the European Capital of Culture” –  and there is a lot going on around here today!  As is evidenced from the gathering here at the Puerta to the bands parading up Cta. de Gomerez as we return to the main part of the city, to the Flamenco demonstrations (that we just missed).  What a fun, crazy day in Granada!

Back down on Plaza Nueva, we pop into the no name bar/restaurant where we have had drinks on previous trips for a quick lunch – well, quick being relative – way too much food – but again, we get tapas free with drinks, sooo….. we start with a focaccia bread sandwich of salami and jamon, then Ed digs into his Albondigas and I pig out on a great Iberico Jamon sandwich.  Phew!  Great, but a lot.  Fortunately we have long walk back to the bus stop.

The walk back to the bus is wonderful, in the sunshine, along city streets.  We are way ahead of time (of course!) so we decide to stop for a drink (of course!) at Abuela Rula, a cute little café on the way.  More tapas – this time some great sausage with smashed fried broad beans.  Really yummy, but oh so filling.  Eh, when in Granada….

Back on our private bus for the 1 hour and 30-minute drive to the ship we sit back and just enjoy the gorgeous Spanish countryside of mountains and farmland and orchards….

…until we are safely back aboard with enough time to hit the gym freshen up and have a quick dinner before heading off to Azamazing evening at the Automobile and Fashion Museum.  A short bus ride deposits us into a wonderful and fun car museum, all owned by one billionaire who opened the museum in the historic Tabacalera building. It was nice walking through all the amazing cars – over 100 of them – with different performing acts – 4 dancers lip-syncing and dancing to Cabaret, a Marilyn Monroe actress singing Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend and an Elvis impersonator doing, well, Elvis! 

Besides just incredibly restored cars, including a model “similar” to the car in the movie Titanic, where Jack & Rose sat, there were all sorts of bizarre cars too – like “A Car for Three” with the steering wheel in the center of the front seat for passengers on either side, a “Dali” car, the “Species Evolution” car, complete with legs and the “Crazy, Crash, Chaos” car.  Then there were all the fabulous paint jobs, the airplane car, the futuristic cars and the save the planet car display. 

Sipping on wine – but no snacks – as we went along, overall, the evening was a nice diversion. Not as incredible as some of our other Azamazing evening, but by far not the worst.

Arriving back on the ship a little before 8, we hit the buffet for cheese, crackers and cold cuts then went back to the balcony for the rest of the night. Good ending to a very nice day.