Northern Spain: A Pilgrimage and Food Trip

Spain : Salamanca, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Madrid & Cuenca

Winter 2025

Visita Iglesia to the Catedral de la Asuncion de la Virgen in the old town of Salamanca

(jan, feb-2025)

Travel Journal... Barely made it home to the Philippines for the country's pandemic lockdown last March 2020, then flying outbound from Madrid. And here we are finding ourselves flying back to Madrid post-pandemic 2025 for a third visit. Third visit is the charm, they say. 

Cleared for TakeOff

England : London & Stratford-upon-Avon; Scotland : Edinburgh & Roslin; Portugal : Porto & Lisbon; 

Spain : Madrid

Winter 2020

Globetrotting takes a downturn in the year of the Rat, 2020. Clockwise: Red Telephone Booth, in London;
Rosslyn Chapel in 15th century Midlothian; Tagus river promenade, in Lisbon; NH room balcony, in Madrid.
(jan, feb-2020)

Journal Entry... Barely two weeks to a planned trip, Taal Volcano (Philippines) spews ashes from deep its core forty-three years in the making, causing indefinite flight cancellations. Looming ahead, at the same time, was this threat of a respiratory virus from a neighbouring country. If these were not stop signs, it had me deeply contemplating-- "Am I [still] one who does not back out from an adventure, or is wealth one's health more than these travel destinations of the world?" Got instant reply from this little cardboard cutout of a Gospel verse, when my gaze rested on a safekeeping bowl in the home foyer: "Do not fear. Only believe. - Mark 5:36"

A Piece of Heaven on Earth

Spain : Granada
Autumn 2011

 Inside the reclusive Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra in Granada
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... I am not about to leave Spain without setting foot on the Alhambra, even for a day... It is said that the Alhambra is the Arab version of a "heaven on earth". A writer, W. Irving, had described the Alhambra as the most beautiful city he had ever laid his eyes on, in his book, Tales of the Alhambra. 

In the Heart and Soul of Spain

Spain : Seville
Autumn 2011

Built for the Ibero-American exposition of 1929 - the Plaza de España in Seville
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... I was ready to head down south to cover two of the last itinerary cities in Spain. Seville is home to matadors and cantaors, and flamenco dancers... from where Ferdinand Magellan had set sail on an epic journey to Mexico's Spice Islands, but ended up in the Philippine archipelago instead. 

Celebrating a Milestone in Avila

Spain : Avila
Autumn 2011

"The Birthday Girl" in Avila
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... I woke up to the number "40" flashing in my mind that day, for I was celebrating a milestone to my life. 

A Magical Place On Its Own

Spain : Segovia
Autumn 2011

Dwarfed by the El Acueducto in Segovia
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... Leafing through the pages of my Spain travel book choosing for possible destinations, I put a STAR* on Segovia. Segovia is known for two main landmarks: the El Acueducto - a Roman aqueduct, and the Alcazar - a fortress claimed to be Walt Disney's inspiration to Sleeping Beauty's castle. 

Medieval a Siguenza

Spain : Siguenza
Autumn 2011

In the courtyard of a medieval Castillo in Siguenza
(Nov-2011) 

Journal Entry... As if every city in Spain did not have an old town to it, there's one city that would pride itself as more medieval than the rest. With another day to spare, hubby and I went off journeying to the medieval city of Siguenza, in the Guadalajara province of Spain. 

A View Across the River

Spain : Toledo
Autumn 2011

On the viewing deck overlooking the walled city of Toledo across river Tajo
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... Old town of Toledo sort of reminded me of a theme park. How else would you take the walled city surrounded by water, a stone bridge to link to it, a towering fortress that dominates the city, and Señor Cervantes statue out in main street, like the "mouse-cot" in a theme park? When a red Bus Turistico awaited the visitors... I knew it! 

A Peaceful Mezquita

Spain : Cordoba
Autumn 2011

Crossing a Roman bridge to the Mezquita in Cordoba
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... Going to the Mezquita-Catedral in Cordoba had the hubby and I walking a maze of cobblestone streets, whilst crossing the Quadalquiver river was the Roman stone-and-arch bridge that leads straight to the Mezquita-Catedral. 

¡Viva Madrid!

Spain : Madrid
Autumn 2011

In the grounds of the Royal Palace at Madrid
(Oct-2011)

Journal Entry... It was in Madrid where I felt that I am in Spain. Atmosphere in the capital was distinctly Spain as I had pictured it to be. It may be centuries old, but the mood in the city is vibrant and energetic as ever. 

In the Presence of Our Lady

Spain : Montserrat
Autumn 2011

On a mountain top in Montserrat
(Oct-2011)

Journal Entry... It is recounted that in the Montserrat mountains, visions of the Virgin Mary "in shining lights and angelic music" were seen and heard by shepherd children, and where on a rock surface an image of the Virgin Mary had appeared-- where a Chapel was built around the Virgin Mary's apparition site. Like Assisi is to Rome, so is Montserrat to Barcelona. One hour ride on the train from Barcelona, I found myself in the glorious mountain ranges of Catalunya, the Benedictine monks' mountain retreat and pilgrimage site to the Lady of Montserrat inside a cave chapel. 

In Search of Gaudi's Works

Spain : Barcelona
Autumn 2011

Bright morning in autumn at Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona
(Oct-2011)

Journal Entry... I had an agreement with the hubby, that I could choose a country where to celebrate my big "40th Birthday". Three years ago, hubby and I were in Paris (France) to celebrate his own milestone... For my turn, I chose Spain. Spain's tourism catch phrase said, "I Need Spain"... and perhaps I did. No less than my birth name could trace roots to Spain, such as the pedestrian plaza in Barcelona. After some planning, I rounded up our key destination cities, running from north to south of Spain, to 10 cities... in 16 days. Thanks to Spain's AVE train system for making it possible.