A Great Day on the Bike From Antequera to Ardales

January 10, 2012

I think our self guided bike ride from Antequera to Ardales in southern Spain offered the most beautiful scenery on our bike trip, though that could be because the weather cooperated too.

We spent the first part of the morning admiring the burial dolmens from thousands of years ago in Antequera. Then it was off through the fertile Valle de Abdalajis, on very quiet roads past loads of olive groves and Lobo Park – a privately run reserve for all types of wolves, that in hindsight we should have visited.

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Gently rolling hills out of Antequera

After about two hours of easy biking we arrived in the small town of Abdalajis. It sits beneath an imposing rock face and offers up fine views and a couple of small restaurants where you can grab a quick bite. The only downside to the place were the two medium sized birds kept in cages so small they couldn’t even open their wings, at the entrance to the Bar Nervi, on the outskirts of town. This is Spain – and I thought this kind of cruelty especially in full public view wouldn’t be tolerated. Guess I was wrong.

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Fine views from Abdalajis

Then it was off to the El Chorro Gorge. And what a pretty ride it was to get there. The massive rock wall stretched on and off for miles on our right and everywhere you looked there were olive trees plus a smattering of lemon and orange trees. Just before the descent to the gorge make sure you look up and check out the climbers on the rock face.

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John enjoying the quiet biking

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Beautiful don't you think

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One of the many rock climbers we saw

Then it’s a steep, fun descent down to the bottom of the gorge. But before going all the way down it’s worth stopping at the park to admire the views. There’s also a hotel, restaurant and hostel if you want to stay in the area – La Garganta  Turistica Restaurante and Hotel and the El Refugio Hostel.

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El Chorro gorge

After crossing the river you get an interesting view of a small rope and plank bridge that hugs the walls above the Rio Guadalhorce. The drop is 400 meters. It was built during the dam construction between 1914 and 1921. There’s a catwalk too if you look closely, pinned to the face of the gorge, about 100 meters above the river. King Alfonso XIII walked this on the day the dam was officially opened. After a number of recent deaths it was closed. Repairs are planned and it’s hoped that the Camino del Rey (the King’s Path) will reopen.

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A small rope and plan bridge hugs the walls of the rock face

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Check out the catwalk on the right hand side

Next up on the bike ride was a climb through the fir tree forests in the National Park. Be warned. The roads are narrow. It turns out to be an olfactory treat all the way up – with the powerful scent of the fir trees.

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Near the top of the climb

At the top of the climb we were in for a visual treat – the lake district. It reminded me of the colour of the water in Queenston, New Zealand.

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The Lake District - just outside of Ardales

Four kilometers more of cycling landed us in Ardales, one of the prettiest white villages we’d come across yet. Here we stayed in the Hotel-Apartamentos Ardales, a place I’d highly recommend. You not only get a good sized bedroom but a living room and a kitchen too, with free WiFi. And the woman running the place was one of the most helpful we’d come across in all of Spain.

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Entering Ardales on a not so windy day

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The view from our hotel

The total mileage from Antequera to Ardales was only 44 kilometers – pretty low in my books, but there was enough to see, that it was a treat to bike at a leisurely pace. All in all a wonderful day on and off the bike.

Our appetizer that night was noteworthy – unusual and delicious – thinly sliced eggplant, lightly fried with rosemary honey. We both would have been happy eating only that.

Other posts from this trip you might find useful.

Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel

Bellagio 0144 A Great Day on the Bike From Antequera to Ardales

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Biking, Europe | 2 Comments 

The Outdoor Art at the Juan Miro Foundation in Barcelona

November 30, 2011

When we were in Barcelona a month ago we happened upon the Juan Miro Foundation  - which is more like an art museum – in the Parc de Montjuic area of Barcelona. It was a Monday so we thought the museum would have been closed -especially since every other museum in Spain seems to be closed on Mondays. But it wasn’t, the line was short and the price was right – 10 Euros.

Juan Miro was born in Barcelona in 1893. He was a painter, sculptor and ceramicist – and proud of his Catalan roots. His art is easily identifiable – at least to my eye – and is construed as surrealist containing elements of surprise.

Here are a selection of outdoor pieces – since you’re not allowed to take any photos inside.

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Sculptural piece at the entrance to the museum

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You can't miss this colourful female body

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Miro is not afraid of colour

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Miro's very distinctive style - it's all in the eyes - at least for me

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This piece enjoys a Barcelona city view

Earlier in the day we had made a point of checking out Juan Miro Park, which just happened to be an easy walk from our hotel. The bright colourful sculpture acts as a local beacon. Around the statue you’ll find kids playing soccer and old men chatting.

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Dona i Ocell (woman and bird) Statue in Juan Miro Park - a short walk from the Espanya Metro Station

Here is this week’s submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox - a website where Nanci offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos. Have a look at her blog and check out what other travel bloggers and photographers are posting.

Leigh McAdam

Bellagio 0144 The Outdoor Art at the Juan Miro Foundation in Barcelona

HikeBikeTravel
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Twitter: @hikebiketravel

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Europe, Photography | 19 Comments 

Travel Photo Thursday: Seville in Pictures

November 23, 2011

Seville was the last stop on our recent trip in Spain. Unfortunately the city didn’t really do it for me. Don’t get me wrong – I think the old town and the cathedral are beautiful. The parks are lovely, government buildings incredible and there are lots of pretty buildings. Plus the walk along the Guadalquivir River is very pleasant.

But the bottom line is I can handle only so many cities on a trip and I’d had my fill. Give me wide open spaces and a dash of nature and I’m more engaged than looking at another cathedral – however beautiful it may be.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy snapping pictures.

Here’s a selection of photos from Seville.

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Renaissance revival style of architecture in Plaza de Espana

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A tough way to make a living

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Horse drawn carriages are everywhere

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Love the building details

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Hard not to be wowed by the size and the detail of the Seville Cathedral

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University students can sniff out the 1 Euro beers

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Roast chestnuts for sale on the street corners

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Huge trees in neighbourhood parks

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A walk through Parque de Maria Luisa - which has lots of parrots

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Orange trees abound in the old town

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Hanging out along the Guadalquivir River

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Mural adjacent to the walkway along the Guadalquivir River

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Boat heading under a very cool looking bridge

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Lots of men - young and old, fishing the river

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Bikes for rent all over the city

What about you – have you been to Seville? Did you have a great, good, bad or indifferent experience?

Here is this week’s submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox - a website where Nanci offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos. Have a look at her blog and check out what other travel bloggers and photographers are posting.

Leigh McAdam

Bellagio 0144 Travel Photo Thursday: Seville in Pictures

HikeBikeTravel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HikeBikeTravel
Twitter: @hikebiketravel

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Europe, Photography | 19 Comments 

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