Day 7

Hi everyone,

It is hard to believe but this is our last night in Spain.  It has been a wonderful and memorable trip.  Today we journeyed to Gibralter, which is part of the United Kingdom.  It was impressive to see "The Rock" emerge in the distance as we approached by bus towards the border crossing.  We decided to take a taxi tour of the island, which was terrific because it allowed us stop at a number of locations throughout the island.  Those of us who wanted to had some close encounters with barbary monkeys at one of our stops, as the pictures below will illustrate.  We also visited the siege caves that were blasted out by the British in the 1780s and had a few hours to explore the Main Street of Gibralter prior to heading back to the hotel where the kids had a few hours to go to the beach or go shopping.  Tomorrow morning we are up and on the bus by 9:45 and off to the airport, heading home to see you all!  Adios!

 The Rock of Gibralter from about two miles away.

 Our bus driver Rachel.

 The border between Spain and Gibralter.

 Our taxi tour guide named John.  He was in a James Bond movie that was filmed on the island.

 One of the rings used by the British to pull their guns up to the point in the 1700's.

 Señora a bit uncomfortable with a hitchhiker.

 The is supposed to be General Eisenhower.

 Main Street in Gibralter.

 The cave openings in the island that served as cannon locations during the 1783 Spanish/French attack on the British.

Day 6

Hey everyone!

Much of today involved traveling on the bus, as it took us 3 1/2 hours to get to Granada from Seville.  The area around Granada was absolutely beautiful, with rolling hills and far too many olive trees to count.  We visited the royal palace at Granada called Alhambra, with its massive gardens and many rooms.  It was another perfect day in regards to the weather, without a cloud in the sky.  After touring the palace, it was back onto the bus for a few more hours as we made our way to the town of Fuengirola, which is located in the Costa del Sol.  The kids, especially our young ladies, were extremely  anxious to get some "sun time", so they spent a few hours prior to dinner laying at the pool or swimming in the Mediterranean.  It is hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day of adventuring, but I suppose all good things must come to an end.  Tomorrow we head to the peninsula of Gibralter to tour "The Rock" and say hello to their famous monkeys.  Below are pictures from the the palace of Alhambra.

                                      

 Can you guess who this is?

 It is hard to believe that with 90 degree weather there could be snow so close to us.

 This gentleman gave us a brief lesson on how he creates incredibly beautiful inlaid wood products.

 Our Alhambra tour guide named Alfonso.

 Here are "Jamon" and "Queso, as Alfonso came to call Hannah and Julie.

 The FBI look.

 View looking down from the palace on the village Granada.

 Our hotel in Fuengirola.

 Getting ready to hit the beach.