On our trip to Spain we tried to combine lots of sightseeing with relaxation and spending time with friends. If we could, we would have spent way more time just hanging out with the Rhineharts (until they were tired of us or until Alex ate their one-year food supply). Although it was hard to peel away our kids from the fun friends, we knew we wanted to see as much of Southern Spain as we could. Our friends were kind enough to even let us borrow their car to make things easier. So on our first morning in Spain, we left on our adventure in the mountains of Andalusia. We didn't have to go far to find beautiful hilly views and serpentine roads.
Our first stop was a tiny village of Grazalema, situated inside the Sierra de Grazalema National Park.
Lots of white washed streets to explore.
Rather quiet but still popular with tourists.
We didn't spend much time here--just walked around here for maybe half an hour.
The village is tiny but it has its own bull in the central square.
After Grazalema we drove further into the mountainous national park enjoying unforgettable sunny views.
On our approach to Zahara village we stopped by this man-made lake (reservoir). Its color was just unbelievable, especially in the sun! The crazy thing was that you could still see many trees sticking out all over the reservoir that survived the flooding of the area. Kids thought that there is a buried ancient village underneath the water.
In Grazalema, Mark got a sling shot as his Spanish souvenir (we are not sure why sling shots were sold in abundance here as a souvenir to represent this area). He thought it would be a perfect chance to try his skills in shooting pebbles (and rocks) into the water using his awesome eagle-shaped sling shot.
Oh, it was so much fun to watch him! And he was so good at it too!
While Alex was hanging out on his own throwing pebbles and watching them hit sunken trees, Katya was observing Mark and then asked if she could have a go at this whole sling shot thing too. Mark agreed and Katya picked a pebble, shot out of the sling shot and....broke it in half.
For a minute or so, Mark didn't notice and Katya guiltily showed me the broken eagle. I didn't know whether to cry or laugh:)) She looked so shocked herself as Mark was using it for at least fifty pebbles already and was fine, and here was Katya, breaking it on the first try. Needless to say, Mark was NOT happy. Katya promised him she'd buy him a sling shot in the next town we find any souvenir shops and that helped the situation a bit. I just laughed inside.
Here is the first view of Zahara village on a hill. It's not so small after all. About 1500 people live here but it attracts many visitors each year, especially now that they have the reservoir nearby to enjoy water sports in the summertime.
We had a fantastic cozy lunch in Zahara. Our friends recommended the place and we were not disappointed.
Mark always orders squid if he can. This one was superb! The best we've ever tasted--melted in your mouth, not chewy at all.
After we filled up on yummy food, we drove up to the center of the village, parked and walked up to the highest point where the Zahara castle is standing (okay, more like ruins of the castle).
Just look at that water!
Can you feel the love? And the sun?
It was very quiet in this area. And the weather was just perfect.
Maybe we were starting to get hazy and thirsty though as somehow all of us agreed that this definitely looks like a baby elephant.
One of the beautiful views from the top of the castle.
The boys and their hats and their shades. Alex is really into these quirky little hats lately-haha. Unfortunately, this summer one got a bit bent in our suitcase, but he still loves it.
Now we know why they call them "white washed".
Good bye, Zahara, a truly quaint place in the Andalusian mountains.
Our exploration day was not over just yet...
Lyana.
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