Experiences in Alicante

October 18, 2010
We are in our second day here in Alicante on the coast, a city of 300,000 people with a major airport. We left Aguilas yesterday about 8:15, dropped off the keys with a German friend of Joan’s, and arrived here about 10:30. There is a lot going on here, (but not much on Sunday)! This was all Karen’s idea and a great one, as Aguilas, charming as it was is pretty much a beach community for Spaniards and foreigners…NOT much to do at all! She found www.lesmonges.com, which used to be part of a convent, and is very charming and very reasonable. Plus it is in a terrific location in the Old Town near the port.
As soon as we checked in yesterday, we went to the Museu de Fogueres,
which celebrates the summer Solstice every June. It has to do with purification by fire to celebrate the solstice. The brochure says, “From June 20-24th, music, fireworks, parades, festival queens, effigies, and flames will fill the streets.” The museum is filled with ceramic displays, posters, mock ups of displays, and all sorts of memorabilia that were part of the event of years past.
Started in 1926, it is a fascinating piece of Spanish history that was completely new to me! Most ninots were made to be burned, but the ones in the museum were saved because of their beauty and realistic appearance. There may be more information at www.alicante.ayto.es.
By the time we were left the museum, there was nothing else open we could visit. So we had a leisurely, but nondescript lunch on the square nearby; I said earlier that we are getting into the Spanish calendar! Because it was Sunday PM, everyone was out on the ramblas enjoying the nice weather. There were kiosks where people were selling all sort of food and clothing. We stopped for a gelato (first one in Spain!), and walked along the marina in the sun. Then we stopped for beer and coffee still enjoying the wonderful weather. Alicante is known for its beaches, so we walked over to see one of them and then walked back around where it was time to stop for another snack!
Last night’s dinner was excellent, as we went to a tapas bar listed in every book we saw! It is somewhat like a susi bar, as we shared much of what we ordered like grilled eggplant and mushrooms, etc. Karen selected different fish and shellfish choices, which I did not. It was great fun and really good!
Today we visited Saint Barbara’s Castle in the city. There is a bus that goes up every hour, and we waited PATIENTLY for an hour, only to finally accept that it was not coming. So we went back to get the car at the hotel parking. It is not that far, but it is QUITE A CLIMB! Great VIEWS OF THE CITY AND AREA.
Pedro, the hotel owner suggested a nearby restaurant so we went there for a three course lunch, which we finished at 3:30! The first course which we shared was grilled sardines, red mullets, and another fish, calamari with salsa (I swear it was Bolognese sauce), as well a mixed salad. We ordered paella with shrimp, mussels, and squid. Two people have to share this, or one person would pay for two portions. It was better than what we had had at the hotel in Granada, but I did not love it….Oh, dessert was piece of lemon cake.
Tonight at 7:30 we’re going to a free concert we saw advertised, which looks to be a series of opera arias. We’ll have dinner somewhere after that. Karen’s flight to Barcelona tomorrow was changed so she has to leave her at 6ish for the airport; I leave for Palma, Mallorca, at 2.