Fai Quan
formerly known as "Prosaic Traveller"
Alicante, Spain (3) – Kite Surfing on the Mediterranean
Seeing the beach and the sea from the castle, we were intrigued and made it our mission as a destination. When we made our departure, we discovered complimentary elevator ride that took us down the hill. Once we exited the elevator, we walked through a narrow tunnel that ended at the beach.
Looking back up at the castle, it would have been an interesting walk down. Good thing we discovered the elevator, otherwise I’m sure we’d still be wandering around somewhere.
Start of a kite-surfing competition
Pretty colourful as they make their way out into the Mediterranean
It’s amazing the distance they go out
Madrid, Spain (3) – Royal Guards
Enroute to Plaza Mayor, we came across a large entourage of Royal Guards at the “Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperacion” building (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation). They were escorting dignitaries to the Royal Palace. I did get a photo of an individual getting into the carriage but after some research, I could not determine who she was.
There were a number of troops coming and going from the Government Building to Palacio Real via Plaza Mayor.
I have been unsuccessful in getting information regarding the different coloured uniforms. There are four different uniforms with different coloured horses.
Different coloured uniforms on different coloured horses at the government office
Silver plumes, blue uniforms and dark brown horses
Red plumes, blue uniforms and white horses
White plumes, white uniforms and brown horses
When we reached Mayor Plaza, a different troop was passing through heading to the government building
Pink plumes, black uniforms and brown horses. The first troop we saw, coming back from Palacio Real.
Another troop heading to the Palacio Real
Madrid, Spain (2) – Puerta de Atocha
Madrid’s largest railway station is the hub of all types of trains (commuter, intercity, regional and high speed). Serving all these types of transit comes with confusion for those, like us, who are unfamiliar with the building. With three floor levels and a variety of ticket machines, we spent a portion of our time on wandering through the wrong level or standing in front of the wrong machine.
However, the busyness of the main ticket area is offset by a wonderful garden area located in the old terminal. Quiet and relaxing, it’s a perfect place for those waiting to catch a train.
The old terminal is converted to wonderful greenery.
Plenty of sitting benches
Upper level restaurant
Perfect lighting
View of the station where the ticket machines and platforms are located
View of the station from our hotel room
Madrid, Spain (1) – Touching Down
Our arrival into Madrid to begin our Spanish Adventure was welcomed with beautiful terrain. It was dawn when we started our descent and with the sun slowly rising, I was able to get some great shots filled with highlights and shadows.
Innsbruck, Austria (5) – Nordkette aka “Jewel of the Alps”
My last post of our European 2017 trip ends on a high note at Hafelekar Peak in Nordkette. A cable car makes two stops along the way. The first is The Seegrube Station, where you can participate in many climbing activities or enjoy Tyrolean cuisine in the Seegrube Restaurant.
The second and last stop is the Hafelekar Peak which is located just over 1,000 feet higher than Seegrube Station. You get 360 degrees of breathtaking views of the city of Innsbruck to gorgeous views of the mountain range.
Seegrube Station
From Seegrube Station, you can see the cable car that continues on to Hafekelar
Just on the other side of that peak is Hafekelar
From Hafelekar Station, we climb an additional 78 meters to reach the peak. You can see the Summit Cross that we eventually get to touch.
An avid hiker can spend hours exploring the many routes available. Just make sure you have the right gear.
Cautious footing on very slippery conditions, would prevent sliding down and/or wiping out
Views from the Summit
From the Peak, we look down to Hafelekar Station
The Summit Cross
A feathered friend was hoping this individual was willing to share her lunch.
Unfortunately, a cloudy day prevents me from getting any photos of Innsbruck
Two hikers make their way to another spot to enjoy the view
Innsbruck, Austria (4) – Looking Up and Looking Down (Day 14 & 15)
Surrounded by gorgeous mountains, the views are wonderful whether you are looking at them or from them.
Innsbruck, Austria (3) – Stadtpfarrkirche Sankt Nikolaus (Day 15)
On our search to find the cable car station, we came across this wonderful church and graveyard. You can feel the love for the individuals at rest. Beautifully maintained sites are filled with colour and emotion.
Innsbruck, Austria (2) – Finding A Way to the Funicular (Day 15)
On our second day, we took a walk along the river Inn where we catch both an old time feel and modern day emergence. Keeping ourselves to the northern part of the riverbank, we search for a station for the Funicular which would take us up the mountain. We ended up backtracking to the south side and catch the cable car at Hungerburgbahn Lowenhaus.
A view from Marktplatz and the river Inn. We will head to the left of this photo. Crossing the first bridge along the way, we will eventually walk along the street where these beautiful building exist.
Turning around, we see Marktplatz. Our hotel, Hotel Maximilian, is the white building at the far right of this photo.
Modern apartments along the northern side of the river
Crossing the bridge to the north side of the river, we look back at the path we just walked.
A great pedestrian path beside the residential buildings we saw in 3rd photo of this post. Staying on this path, we continue east on the northern side of the river to find the cable car to take us to Nordkette.
A mix of old and new
Park Inn Cafe
Buchsenhausen
Making our way back to the south side of the river, we head to the Hans-Psenner Steg (a covered pedestrian bridge)
Inside Hans-Psenner Steg
From Hans-Psenner Steg, we see the bridge for the cable car. A good indication our destination is near.
From the other side of the bridge we see the old cable car rails
Innsbruck, Austria (1) – Old Town (Day 14)
Our last city stop before heading back to Zurich to catch our flight home is Innsbruck (bridge over the Inn). A last minute decision to spend two days here was a wise one. On our first day, we head to Old Town which was located a couple of blocks from our stay, Hotel Maxmillian. Filled with beautiful old architecture, we are surrounded with wonderful atmosphere.
Symbolic to mark the wedding of Emperor Maximilian to Bianca Maria Sforza, the Goldeness Dachl (Golden Roof) is actually made of fire-gilded copper tiles.
Designed as the royal box, the Emperor and his entourage can view all festivities in the square.
Venezia (Venice), Italy (4) – At the Venetian Lagoon (Day 13)
We head southeast from the main station through a maze of winding streets and dead ends to find the Venetian Lagoon, located in the Adriatic Sea. We took a stroll along the busy street of Riva deli Schiavoni and admire some of the beautiful buildings situated on tiny islands. On our journey back to the station, we take a walk through the Piazza San Marco where it was just too busy to appreciate.
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Church of Giorgio Maggiore
Along the Riva degli Schiavoni
Piazza San Marco
Fai Quan 