Granada - very hot but totally cool

The Alhambra

The Alhambra

40 degrees is an average day, the locals disappear between 3 and 9pm to escape the heat. it is the home of tapas and flamenco - walk into any bar, pay under 2 euros for a sangria or beer and receive an entree sized plate of deliciousness.......octopus salad, warm potato salad, bread with olives and ham, tuna and mayonaise stuffed inside red peppers. you can eat and drink all night for under 20 euros easily!!


its also a university town with fantastic bars and lots of boys from all over the world happy to dance the night away and buy you drinks!

The Alhambra

The Alhambra

The Alhambra - the most visited sight in spain and for a good reason. a massive moorish city from the 13th century. the lush, intricate gardens, beautiful architecture, magnificent mosaics and rich history make for an amazing half day tour - well worth the half hour uphill walk in the heat.

The Alhambra

Hammam

The turkish hammam - 2 hours of heaven. sauna, hot pool, warm pool (im not ashamed to admit i did not leave this one!), cold pool and a 15 minute massage in a scented, candlelit chamber...........

Flamenco

Authentic flamenco in a gypsy cave - it felt like you were in someone's backyard watching the most amazing coordination and so much passion - the foot stomping goes right to the heart.

Sad to leave southern spain!

Lagos.........oh my gosh...........

Lagos (pronounced La-gush), Portugal - get there!! It's a gorgeous little seaside town where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic oceans meet. Beautiful little cobblestoned streets, restaurants serving massive steaks or whole fish cheap cheap cheap and amazing nightlife as far as the eye can see - try the 9 deadly sins shots, a beer bong, black vodka shots, a fish bowl cocktail (we are talking an actual fish bowl with a whole bottle + of spirits with various mixers and quite a few long straws) and then dance the night away with lots of other like minded party people!!

Pre drink at the apartment

Next day...........if you are feeling up to it, explore the nearby sea caves and grottos by sea kayak (or motor boat) or if you are more like me, pay 5 euro for a lounge chair and umbrella and spend the day sleeping in the sun, or wandering down the white sand to the crystal clear ocean for a refreshing dip - or watching the surfers do their thing. Lovely cafe 50m away does fantastic salads, hot chips/wedges and ice cream.........what more could you want!?!?!?

Ready for another night out with Kayla, Meredith, Bianca and Jess