ELX - ALICANTE - BENIDORM - VALENCIA - BARCELONA (part 2/3)

(AUGUST 2017)

Valencia is third-largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona with around 800 000 inhabitants in the administrative centre. It’s urban area extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of around 2milions. The port of Valencia is the 5^th busiest container port in Europe. The city isn’t as popular city like Barcelona or Madrid. it’s also less crowded and there aren’t as many foreigners. Valencia is beautiful! Additionaly, I’ve never seen as wide beach! It looked like desert. We arrived to centre of Valencia  about 11pm and got out close to “Museum of Art and Sciences”. I like so much cities at night. The lights create a wonderful atmosphere. 

It was a little be late. Our new friends David from Peru and Alejandro from Argentina were waiting for us in different side of city. They are students in Valencia. They are so open minded and funny persons. In short time we caught a good contact. David knows many polish words. What is more he was singing some polish songs without lyrics like “Za twe oczy twe oczy zielone” and  more. We were shocked and surprised. Polish songs aren’t popular in other countries. 

Usually when we ask someone about knowing polish language people answer” yyy no thanks, sorry it’s kind like Chinese language” haha.

David told he has got many polish friends so it’s a reason why he knows that. Anyway congratulations for him. We spent time in centre and then went at home to take some dancing lessons at “small house party”. Thank you guys! It was really nice time!

Jardines del Real

we woke up early On Thursday morning because our list “places to visit in Valencia” had got many positions. Alejandro and David had got go at work so we were sightseeing alone. The first point on our list was “Jardines del Real”. It’s a big garden with fountains, many kinds of trees, with some special buildings and sculpture. 

Then, we saw “Estadio Mestalla”- it’s a football stadium in Valencia (Valencia CF). We were walking around centre so while the way we were watching places around. 

buildings in centre

Another places we've visited:

*Mercado de Colon-big market with many kinds of fresh fruits and fishes                                  

Mercado 

*Plaza de Toros de Valencia-there is a bullring

*Palace of the Marques de dos aguas- Rococo nobility palace, historically important in the city. There is Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts inside.

*Plaza de la Reina- one of the oldest and busiest plazas in Valencia and the city’s beating heart

*Modernisme Plaza of the City Hall of Valencia- modern place in centre with fountain

*Valencia Cathedral

*Railway station with really interesting architecture

After visited that all places we made a lunch break and met with Alejandro. To be honest I’ve been in Spain many times before but I’ve never eaten Paella-typical Spanish dish with rice and seafood. Never it’s too late! it’s really delicious! Maybe one day I will try to prepare that in Poland.

Next point after siesta were Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe, L’Umbracle,  Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and L’Oceanograhic. That places were nearby each other. There are so modern and the most recognizable buildings in city. Everyone who plans visit Valencia have to see that! Amazing place! It's like icon of the Valencia.

Close to that buildings there are many parks where people are meeting, cycling, running and so on. In conclusion It’s good place for resting close to nature in centre of big city. While we were walking around we got informed about terrorist attack in Barcelona. W couldn’t believe that. At La Rambla, the most popular street in Barcelona  were died many people (about 19) and so many were injured by truck (Condolences for the families of the dead). We planned be in Barcelona next day. Firstly, we called our parents to say about that. It’s always better to be informed by us than by TV news. 

Valencia is about 350km from Barcelona. It’s so far but they knew we planned to be there next days. We didn’t know what we should do. I mean stay more time in Valencia or go to Barcelona as we planned . We didn’t panic. It’s almost impossible to attack happens again in the same place. Of course people should take care but there were a lot of police everywhere, especially on the most popular and crowded places in the city.

In the evening we met with Alvaro, our next one host. He lives in house with terrace like 10minutes by walk from the beautiful beach in Valencia. We took fast shower and went out to enjoy evening in Valencia. 

We went to the beach and saw “cinema on the beach” , one word ! WOW!. A lot of people were sitting on the sand in front of big screen and were watching a movie together. Southern European people are so sociable. They like spend free time with friend and family. It was nice view to see what was happened there. We were drinking Spanish wine and enjoying night on the beach.

Couchsurfing app offer option “hang out”. If you want to meet with new people you can turn on the option. Another people will see you as active person for meeting and they can send you request to join you. In that way in short time joined us some friends from Spain, Argentina and Germany. It’s so good option for people who travels alone. That evening we have visited Marina beach club. It was special one on the main beach with pools, bars inside with typical holiday atmosphere. Clubbing wasn’t an aim of or journey especially clubs inside of the city similar to polish clubs (That clubs we can visit in Poland). 

Marina club was different one. 

 Marina club was different one. It was next one night when we were sleeping about 4hours. To this time I don’t understand how it was working…”Extra spanish energy! Or something like this.

On Friday morning we wanted to say good bye Alvaro because we planned to go to Barcelona. Alvaro suggested to stay one day more in Valencia because It’s not a good time to visit Barcelona one day after attack. Police were everywhere and tourist places were closed. It was very nice of him. He told that room is still free so if we decide to stay one day more we are welcome. Love that people! We knew each other for two days and he seems to be careful of us 💓💓💓.

One day extra in city with the biggest beach I have ever seen in my life. The choice was easy “Let’s go to the beach”. We needed a rest. The weather was perfectly! I miss that time now!  (It’s so sad to write this text one month later while in Poland it’s rainy 15degrees and rainy😑😑😑).

On Friday evening we met with Marco. We knew him by couchsurfing.  Marco came from Honduras but he moved to Valencia some time ago. He showed us a centre of Valencia at night and told about each one important building there. He was like private tourist guide.  😆. We tried also typical spanish food for a dinner. 

At night we met with his Italians friends who works in pub in centre of Valencia. We tried “Aqua de Valencia”. There is typical Valencian drink. The basic ingredients of the drink are CAVA(or Champagne), fresh orange juice, vodka and gin. I’m not a fun of drinks because usually there are too sweet  but this one was so great, very refreshing. It was a really nice evening! 

THANKS GUYS! 💗 We miss to meet again!
 

On Saturday morning we said good bye Alvaro. I hope we will meet again. Maybe next time in Poland 😃or when we will be in Valencia again. (maybe next time we will come for “La Tomatina”. It’s special day when people are throwing by tomatoes on the street).
On Saturday we rent a bicycle. If someone is interested about price-one bike(24h) costs 15euro plus 50euro deposit. It’s a good option if you want to tour city around. In the afternoon we wanted to join David ,Alejandro and their friends for beach volleyball match but unfortunately we didn’t have got time enough. We had got Blablacar to Barcelona. From Valencia to Barcelona is about 350km. The best way is Blablacar. It’s faster than train and usually cheaper. We paid 21euro per person. 

To be continued sooooon → (next stop Barcelona)