Bob and Tania hired a car and traveled to Spain and Gibraltar for a few days.  Seville, Gibraltar, and Cadiz were their destinations...

Sevilla

• Seville was in a word "breathtaking".  Such a beautiful city.  Over the centuries the citizens of Sevilla decided they would "join in rather than fight" and as a result their city has retained its glorious past in well preserved forms. Bob and Tania decided someday they would like to partake of a longer visit to fully appreciate the wondrousness of this place.  They stayed on a friend's suggestion at the Alfonso XIII hotel (at the time one of the most beautiful and pricey hotels in Spain). It was a treat to stay there.  The location could not be beat.  They were able to walk to and enjoy most everything in a short time frame.  Here is the entranceway to the Alfonso where many kings, queens, princes, princesses (including Diana), heads of state (including Castro and Gorbechov) have stayed (including the Pleischl's - ha!).  A wonderful example of the Moorish influence on the buildings throughout the city.  The Catedral which is the third-largest church in Europe, after St. Paul's in London and St. Peter's in Rome.

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• The Giralda bell tower is mostly Gothic in design even though it initially was intended to erase the memory of Islam where a former mosque had stood, and still retains its minaret which is the lower portion of the tower.  It was started in 1198 and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Sevilla.  The large weathervane at the top is fashioned in the shape of an angel, Faith.  It is 230 ft up to the end viewing platform.  The main cathedral itself is a very large and beautiful example of Gothic architecture which was began in 1401 and incorporates some Renaissance elements because of its long construction period (it took centuries to complete).

• The statue in recognition of Columbus (a relief of his profile is at the base) and with the names of Ferdinand and Isabel across the mid area located in the Jardines de Murillo. The elaborate  16th century Mudéjar gate and portal to the Catedral.  The grounds and gardens of the Alfonso XIII hotel.

• Another view of the Catedral from the Avenida de la Constitución. The Ayuntamiento (City Hall) is a study in Plateresque style. It is very austere on one side of the building and overly wrought in cherubs and motifs on the other.  Tania thought the building had "eyes".  Across the Plaza de San Francisco stands another beautiful building.

• The outdoor "Martini Bar" at the Alfonso XIII.  Tania and Bob were delighted to see reminders of two of their favorite beverages "Hot Chai Tea Latté" from Starbucks for Tania and of course "Heineken Beer" for Bob.

• The hallways and galleries of the Alfonso XIII were stunning.  They had dinner at a local restaurant est. in 1386.

Plaza de España - Sevilla

• The Plaza de España ( government building constructed in 1929 and was erected for the Ibero-American Exposition.  The tile work is amazing on this building and definitely worth a visit (a view of the Jaén tilework with a mural of Napoleon and then on to a mural of Don Quixoté.  All to soon it was time to travel on southward to Gibraltar.

Gibraltar

It was a real treat to be able to see the "Rock" without having to subject me or them to the hardships that can come with trying to travel past this landmark.  They found a mostly abandoned area (old gun placements) where the resident "holler monkeys" have set up homesteads.

• Bob is attempting to make friends but this little guy will have nothing to do with him.  A visual reinforcement of why it was not necessary to take me beyond the "Rock".  This freighter had collided with another a few weeks prior.

• The lighthouse at Gibraltar.  Bob and Tania (with a minaret sticking out of her head in the shape of a missile).  Looking across the straight to Morocco.

Tarifa and Cadiz, Spain

• Just west of Tarifa, at Punta de la Peña, Club Mistral had a windsurfing/kite school, and the beach obviously was very famous for its great location and wind.  Tania wished she was a few years younger (going back to her windsurfing days).  They found a great Parador in Cadiz in which to spend the night.  Bob is looking out over the bay in which the great naval battle of Trafalgar was won by the British some 200 years prior.  It was amazing to stand there and think about the history of the area...

Adios, Spain - and looking forward to a visit again...