Island Hopping 2024: Spain to Cyprus, a Day of Travel

Today was a travel day.  After fourteen days of roadtripping through Spain (including our foray into Gibraltar) we can’t help to feel close to the people we have met, to history we have learned about and tapas culture we so enjoyed.  So it is not easy to say goodbye to Spain, but over the years we have learned that every trip begins with a “farewell”.  So, farewell to Spain as we set off to travel from one end of the Mediterranean to the other.

We left those ancient cliffs in Ronda via a winding mountain road.  We saw again the unending groves of olive trees.  And, finally we reached the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean.  We were returning our hired car to the Malaga airport from where we were to fly to Cyprus.  Malaga is the epicenter of the “Costa del Sol” and as such the airport is reasonably large.  Navigating through the car return process and this bustling hub connecting cultures was an adventure in itself. Sandy and I gave ourselves a high-five when we successfully negotiated the check-in counter, security checks (Sandy got frisked again, she just looks so guilty), passport control and the duty free temptations, and at last found ourselves seated on a plane to Zurich, Switzerland.  

Upon leaving, Sandy commented on Spain's unique and beautiful landscape

We had a long layover in a very pleasant lounge at the Zurich Airport.  Which begs the question “What is the nice thing about Switzerland?”  The answer, “Well, the flag is a big plus!” 

Cudos to my grandson Whit for this observation

The second leg of this flight was a three hour thirty minute flight to Larnaca, Cyprus.  Landing around three o’clock in the morning we did nothing more than catch a cab to our airport hotel and try to get some sleep in anticipation of our Cypriot adventures.

The total Spanish roadtrip

Then to Zurich

Then to Cyprus

Island Hopping 2024: Spain; Ronda, A Pleasant Stroll, Flamenco Guitar, Friday Night Pizza

We are in the midst of an admittedly long vacation.  But as retirees there is little reason to rush home.  However, life does go on even while traveling, so much of today was devoted to monthly financial housekeeping and some personal correspondence.  This said, we still took some time to stroll though Ronda.  There in the narrow streets adorned with whitewashed facades Sandy and I found the far less touristed areas of this town.  The Plaza del Socorro in the old town is a bustling square alive with the energy of locals and the aroma of fresh coffee.  Sandy and I sat on a bench and watched several tour groups traipse by oblivious to the fact that they were just a few steps away from this little Nirvana.  Finding these unadvertised places is just one of the benefits of independent travel. 

Cliff hanging paths and terraces

The white-washed houses

Famous Matador statue

and his son

Fountain in the Plaza del Socorro

Plaza Del Socorro, looking the other way

Later, after several hours of the “office work” mentioned above we formed our own “el paseo” and again found a remarkable little square, this one the  Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, a perfectly tranquil space in Ronda with a green park and a outdoor café that was playing soft Spanish guitar music.  Since coming to Ronda, Sandy and I have learned how much Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway loved this place and were both a familiar sight at Ronda’s taverns and cafés.  Orson Welles once declared, “to be born anywhere else in the world is to be borne in exile.”  He must have believed it as he had his ashes buried just outside of town.  Wandering these streets away from the crowds, Sandy and I shared their love of this place and Spain in general.

Walking the streets of the new town

Monument in Plaza Duquesa de Parcent

Decorative orange trees everywhere, oranges look like Christmas Bulbs

                                                        Green space in the square

But, the day was not over, we stumbled upon a Flamenco Guitar concert performed by a renowned artist, Emilio Fernández de los Santos.  His stage name is Emilio Caracafé.  The staging of his performance was such that we could see the mountains behind him.  Listening to a heart-moving Spanish guitar concert and watching an unfolding Andalusian sunset, gave us a perfect ending to this Spanish roadtrip.

The terrace of the Music Venue

Views of the New Bridge from the Music Terrace

Sandy enjoying the daisies on the terrace, truth-be-told, wine was enjoyed also 

Art inside the venue

Our flamenco guitarist

Sunset and mountains behind him

Sandy could listen to this music for hours

This guy runs a flamenco guitar school in Seville

                                                                   The grand finale

Ronda has a large representation of Italian restaurants.  And, it is Friday, Pizza Night!  I do try to eat local cuisine, but with this many Italian eateries it almost felt impolite not to do a pizza.  So I did. 

Me and the pizza

Sandy and the Pope

Italian Alley

Night time view of Ronda

Night time view of the Bridge

                                                     Night time view of the Parador (our hotel)

Island Hopping 2024: Gibraltar to Ronda, Spain, the New Bridge, the Bull Ring

Leaving the Rock of Gibraltar behind, we set out with the Mediterranean on our right hand side.  The open road ahead of us feeling like an invitation to discover the heart and soul of Andalusia.  After finding our way out of Gibraltar and across the border into Spain we were greeted with a majestic final view of The Rock and equally majestic expansive views of the Mediterranean.

The Rock after crossing back into Spain

The Rock a little further into Spain

 The Mediterranean

Eventually we turned inland away from the sea and into the mountains.  We passed white-washed villages perched on hillsides like clusters of sugar cubes.  As we continued deeper into the mountains  the road began to climb, offering panoramic views of the Spanish countryside. The rugged mountains accompanied us for the rest of this journey, and every twist and turn revealed a new postcard-perfect vista.

Goats in the Mountains

Looking down a valley

Flowering mountain bush

A white washed hill top town

A final turn in the road and our destination, the historic town of Ronda unfolded dramatically before us.  It is perched precariously on the edge of the El Tajo Gorge.  Ronda, unexpectedly occupies both sides of this monstrous gorge.  The two halves of the city are connected with the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), built in 1759-1796, so not that new.  This bridge was an enormous engineering feat in its day, and still today is a structural wonder defying both time and gravity.

View of Ronda as we emerged from the mountains

Approaching Ronda's wall

Gibraltar to Ronda

Our hotel behind the New Bridge

The bridge, the gorge, and our hotel

Our hotel, the Parador de Ronda, looks out over the gorge and countryside with breathtaking views.

Views from our balcony

Enjoying views from our balcony

More balcony views

Sandy and I visited the Plaza de Toros, Ronda’s Bullring.  There were no bullfights today (we’re here in the wrong season for that).  But, we did see this magnificent structure where the most important bullfights in Spain are performed.  The center of this bullring, that one spot, is the epicenter of Andalusian spirit and culture and to not visit it would be not visiting the heart of Spain.

Bull ring - Pano shot

They do love their bulls

A riding school is not worth its salt if it doesn't have chandeliers

Ronda has its own flag

Beautiful architecture

How the attendees see it

The royal box