Valencia & Bunol (La Tomitina)

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This is most definately one of my most favourite places in the world.. and most definately in Spain. Ofter overlooked in favour of Barcelona and Madrid, I found Valencia to be peaceful but with loads of character, most definately beauty, and romance. You'd walk through cobble stone streets where little restaurants would have candles on the tables and people were dining anywhere between 10pm and midnight.

A short 20 minute drive took us to Bunol - home of the tomato festival.. very messy. It was definately an experience, but one that I would not repeat again. We had lots of fun although I did get pushed over at one stage amongst all the people and I couldn't get up - Baz found me amongst all the tomato sludge though and rescued me! I did however loose my shoes (i was wearing thongs) in the process and ended up with infected cuts by the end of the day. To cool off, we were forced to rinse in the nearby lake which was disgusting and Im sure was not very healthy for us at all. The alternative was to be hosed down by the locals, most of which would only do it for the girls that took their tops off!

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I recommend having someone on standby with a fresh set of clothes - I took mine off and threw them in the bin - they were not salvagable. We also got some great photo's by having someone hold our camera's and by also taking waterproof cameras in with us. Look out though - it is dangerous, you will get so squashed you cannot breath. The crowd was pushed so much we even bent a metal fence we were all pushed up against! Oh and look out for those in the crowd that try to rip your shirt off.