Mooning around the Mediterranean

[drron29]

1 hour ago, Kiwi John said:

Hi Drron, how are you enjoying the suite size compared to your previous suite selections?

Curious as we are considering a Deluxe Verandah for a 39 day cruise having only travelled in Silver Suites previously but S/S are not very flexible with pricing anymore and we will not do door to door.

We had always had either Silver suites and the Occasional Medallion suite. In January 2019 we were on the Muse in a Sliver suite. We realised if we were going to cruise a lot we needed to reduce the cost. So we asked to see a Verandah Suite and when we saw it felt it would be sufficient space. So this is our second cruise in a superior Verandah suite. We have found it adequate for our needs. We go Superior because they are on a higher deck which we like and because we don't get sea sick so a forward suite is not a problem.

[drron29]

The mountains provide a scenic back drop.

 

Visual pollution abounds.

 

Then we get into Olive country.

[drron29]

Loved the countryside.

 

And after 90 minutes we are at Ronda.

 

[drron29]

And now a walk through the Modern city.

[drron29]

Rondo is the birthplace of modern Spanish bullfighting. Statues and mentions of the first Bullfighter. Pedro Romero are everywhere,

 

The statues outside the bullring are modern day bullfighters.

 

[drron29]

The Rondo bullring is we're told not only the oldest in Spain but the largest. Not in capacity but in the area of the ring. There is a law that prohibits other bullrings from having a larger area. Around the side they have a statue for the bulls.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

And an ancient bull skull found near town which they estimate would have weighed 1400 Kg.

Edited April 4, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

Only one bullfighter has been killed by a bull in this ring and heis buried in the centre of the ring. Only one event is held here in early September and only the best bullfighters are invited.

 

And where the bullfighter stands when the bull is released.

 

The King's box.

 

[drron29]

Where the bulls are kept the night before the fight. Seven stalls but only 6 bulls fight. A spare in case there is a problem with one ofthe bulls.

 

Now we are walking towards the Old Town.

 

The Parador and attached restaurant.

 

A large gorge separates the old and new towns. It is actually called the Puente Nuevo and was completed in 1793.

 

[drron29]

 

 

[drron29]

We are now in the old town. It was under the rule of various Islamic regimes. At least 3 different Islamic groups ruled Rondo. When retaken by the Christians the complete population was killed.

 

Some repairs.

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

Some good views from here.

 

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

 

[A Tucson Guy]

1 minute ago, drron29 said:

 

We were in Rhonda last Nov. It is a beautiful city and thank you for posting these pictures.

[drron29]

Now at the square that has the cathedral.

 

The former stables for the Army.

 

And now into the cathedral as usual built over a mosque a bit of which survives.

 

[drron29]

Because it is holy week some of the relics are missing to be used in the nightly parades.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

Truly amazing. The main body of the church is divided into half so that 2 different services can be held simultaneously.

 

[drron29]

 

And we finally leave the cathedral.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

We are now heading back to the new city.

 

[drron29]

 

And now we went for the obligatory Tapas. Actually got 3 glasses of wine. The first white was awful the other white and the red OK. The tapas as usual were mini tapas.

 

were mini tapas.

 

[drron29]

We then had some free time so I went for a walk.

 

[drron29]

I then decided to have some real tapas here.

 

The menu.

 

So I had the Iberico ham with cheese sandwich, smoked salmon and gorganzola which was the best and anchovy on tomato.

 

Now time to go back to the bus.