Terry Tourists in Valencia

4.5.09 – 5.5.09 – Benicassim and Valencia

Monday:

So at the crack of dawn 6.45am we jump out of bed, shower and head of for the morning train to Valencia. Surprisingly the train is full of workers and it is standing room only. Being the good wife I am, I had made the night before a track pack of fruit salad and yoghurt for our breakfrast on the run. How on earth we were going to eat our breakfast standing up without spilling it on the unforgiving Espanol workers! Luckily most workers disembarked at the next major town, Castellon so Bob and I were able to get a seat and eat our brekkie – we were starving!

Once in Valencia we headed off to the a Halcon Travel Agent – Halcon are advertising cheap accommodation and tickets to the Grand Prix in Barcelona. We had previously asked our mates Miguel and Shaza (the Brits we met in Gijon) to decipher the pamphlet for us (it was in Spanish). They assured us that the price included 2 nights accommodation, tickets into the race and bus transfer to and from the race track to the hotel – all for €145 – which sounded extremely good value given the tickets alone were that price!!. Unfortunately, the young lady in the travel agency doesnt speak a word of English and she shoos us off to another travel agent down the road. Fortunately, that travel agent spoke a little English - and Miguel and Shaza were partly right, the price includes one ticket into the race track, accommodation sharing a room with around 7 others but no transport! If you want your own room, the price is around €500 – and you find your own way to and from the track!! So we give the whole idea away – we will stay at a campsite near Barcelona.

We then head off to the tourist bus again which takes us on a different route, out to the port where they held the 2007 America Cup and also has the Formula 1 circuit for the race in September – gee, this will keep the boy happy! And happy he was, we walked round and round on the F1 track (you can just hear the excitement in my writing!) and looked at all the America Cup buildings (all the major race participants have huge buildings there).

We decide to have lunch on the ocean front – which is lined with lovely cafes and restaurants. After walking up and down the boardwalk several times, we finally decide on the winner and sit down to the traditional fare of Valencia - paella for two (with chicken and rabbit) and half bottle of white wine – fantastic and delicious – beautiful spot on a lovely sunny day. There were even a few nice bodies on the beach preening themselves for us to look at. It was a lovely afternoon and then back on the train, direct to Benicassim.

Tuesday:

Today we have a well earned rest and stay at the campsite for the day. We had a lovely walk along the beach before breakfast then in the afternoon a bike ride along the promenade. We rode in the sunshine for probably a couple of hours – just beautiful - with the only incident to report and that was Bob wanting to stop and help various topless ladies sunbathing who he claims required his help adjusting something or another! Topless bathing seems very much tolerated and it appears that the women are very proud of their bodies, whether big and wobbly or small. The deriere is celebrated – no matter what shape or size, as long as it is displayed!  Oh, and sorry, the camera isnt working this day - so Bob isnt able to take any photos (oh well!).