Andre and Wendy: Touring Valencia

Today we started by Wendy and I getting up and job/walk to the market which is open daily except for Sundays. We passed on having breakfast with James and Karen at the hotel, their room included breakfast, ours was an additional 24.00 Euro per person for breakfast, pass. So, we found fresh squeezed orange juice at the market and some croissants and muffins. We walked around the market to look at the different things, it is huge. Mostly a local market for locals to come get fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and a couple of bakers. There must have been about 1000 stalls, in a very beautiful old building. We had seen some saffron for sale at the start, but then had a hard time finding the stall again.

Lobby at hotel

Outside of market at delivery door

Market inside

This mornings run to market

Breakfast done and we meet up with Karen and James at 10AM to start the day adventures. We decided to walk back to the centre of old town, do a little exploring. First we walk to the Post Office. The inside and outside of the building were both spectacular. I took a few pictures and then I heard one of the workers tell someone about taking pictures. Not sure if I was allowed or it was just no flash. My Spanish is not that good.

At Andalusian fair

Wendy loved these trees

Fountain in main square

Post office

Afterwards, we went to visit the North Train Station, which is located next to the Bull Ring which we did not visit. The station was built in the very early 1900s. It is very decorative. There are some beautiful tiles murals inside. The outside of the building has lots of details with painted fruits of the region being showcased.

Train station

Inside of train station, beautiful tiles!

Inside of train station

Close up of outside of train station

Bull ring

Next, walked to the market where Karen went exploring while the other 3 of us headed for the Silk Exchange Market which is a World heritage site. It dates from the late 1400s. It was a very interesting place, not big but grandiose. The inside is just gorgeous with tile floors and the ceilings in some of the room were outstanding. The main hall had these wonderful pillars and marble floor. Silk must have been a very big & profitable business here in Valencia by the looks of things.

Loquats not Kumquats

Inside silk market

Silk market building

Scout store, picked up something for Riley here

Some traditional dresses

We then walk back to the main square to pick up the second part of the bus tour which takes us to the port and beach area of town. There was some type of large demonstration going on which had traffic a little messed up while streets were closed for them to walk by, but the bus did eventually show up. We got off at the last stop along the beach and walked back towards the marina. This is a very wide beautiful beach, I can just imagine how busy it is in the summer! Towards the marina there were many little restaurants to choose from, and since it is now 2PM time for some lunch. We picked a spot that was reasonable in price and had paella. James and I split a traditional one with chicken, rabbit (we think), and some snail looking things. The girls split a seafood one. The pans were huge, fun to see, and this restaurant was pretty much just serving paella.

72 years old, traveling for 12 years, 400,000 km on his bike so far

Very wide beach in Valencia

Paella for lunch, and Sangria, Wendy looks very happy

We visited the port area a little bit before catching the bus to continue of tour. It took us a little while to find the spot where we were to pick up the bus. I guess none of us paid much attention. The port area is where the Valencia Formula 1 car race is held. We did not walk the whole track but could see where they compete. We will watch it for sure this year to see some of the spots we walked by. Valencia also held the Americas Cup (sailing) a few years ago. There were exhibits you could visit but we did not go.

Another fun park the grandkids would have loved

Standing at F1 circuit

Americas cup display

Back at the main square, we went to visit the Cathedral but it was not open at this time for visits. Lucky for us the tower was open. It was only 207 steps to climb to the top. We all needed a break at the half way mark. The views were amazing. Nice to see the whole old town in one location. Lots of the city`s buildings are 4 or 5 stories high and we were above all that. Probably the highest point in old town. While on top, the bell ran, it was so loud as the bell is massive. From the top of the tower, we noticed that in the square behind the Cathedral there seemed to be some type of fair. We climbed down and found Karen who had decided to take a break instead of climbing the tower.

Cathedral tower climb

View from the top of the tower

This bell rang while we were up there, very very loud!

View of cathedral from the tower

Another city view from the tower

At this time the Cathedral was now open, so a visit was in order. It is in a form of a cross. It is about 300 feet long and 150 feet wide. The alter which is located just above where the cross meet is stunning. It also has a beautiful tower. Behind it, there are 10 chapels. There are also numerous ones along the long sides of the main church. Also some gorgeous stained glass and paintings as one could imagine.

Cathedral

Outside of the tower we climbed

Ceiling was amazing

Lots of people were in the square getting pictures done outside Cathedral

The square behind the Church where the fair was located was for World Health Week. Students from Universities were in different booths for all types of health issues. I had hoped that it was some type of food fair, but no luck. I had to settle for young universities ladies in white uniforms. We all had our blood sugar and blood pressure done. We weren`t sure if the climb up the tower hurt or helped these but Wendy and I both passed our Blood pressure and sugar levels. She beat me on the sugar but I made a comeback on the blood pressure.

Next we went back to the hotel via the park for a little break before supper and more exploring. James and Karen went to use the pool, we found out, they had more energy than us. When we headed out James took us a different route and we got in the mix with all Saturday night shoppers, there were sure a lot of people out on this street. It was very different than what we had experienced so far. Karen picked a great spot that again had the tourist menu, another great meal. After supper we went back to the main square to see it all lit up, very nice. Back to the hotel, too tired to head off to the fair tonight.