The Statistics:
Miles
cycled: 354.99
Total
climbing: 27,855 feet (per Strava)
Time on
the bike: 31.5 hours
Nights
sleeping in caves: 1
Olives
eaten: ~654
In a fitting and rewarding manner, our 2014 Tour of
Andalusia came to a conclusion this morning with a guided tour of the Alhambra.
Ignacio, our guide met us at the entrance (after our long uphill walk) and gave
us an overview before we entered.
Construction of the Alhambra began in the year 1237. It
remained the site of the palaces of the Nasarid dynasty (Muslim) until it was
surrendered to the Catholic monarchs in 1492, following which it was expanded
as more palaces and gardens were built. Much of the original Moorish
architecture remains, however, and the splendor is awe-inspiring.
I had not realized that Washington Irving was in residence at
the Alhambra for a while. I am now adding his “Tales of the Alhambra” to my
reading list.
Before the Alhambra visit, we had breakfast together and began our
process of saying goodbye. Rick was the first to leave – he is driving the
bikes back to ExperiencePlus headquarters in Italy. Kathleen and Manfred made
complex arrangements to have their luggage picked up at the hotel and for the
driver to meet them at the conclusion of the Alhambra visit. They will be back
in New York this evening. Jane and Charlie are taking a train to Madrid tonight
before flying on from there. Susan, Ron and I will fly from
Granada to Madrid tomorrow (different flights) and on to San Francisco (again,
different flights), arriving in the Bay area Wednesday evening. Philipp is
reuniting with his family here in Granada before moving on to his next
assignment. I had the pleasure of
meeting his wife and two year old daughter yesterday afternoon.
We were fortunate to have had good weather, although on the
hot side, for the entire tour. The great company made it an especially fine
tour – Thank you Philipp, Rick, Kathleen and Manfred, Jane and Charlie, Susan
and Ron. I hope to ride with all of you again.
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