Land Ho - Cadiz/Seville

 Well, after nine long days at sea everyone (passengers and crew!) were excited to see land. We got to Cadiz about 12:00 noon.   Part of the excitement for us (Bob and I) when we got into Cadiz is that Rota, Spain is in the same bay maybe 10 or 15 miles away.  Rota is the location of the Rota naval base, a joint Spanish and U.S. naval base...one that is a possible assignment for Nate (and so Kimmie).

The water in the Bay of Cadiz was a beautiful water color

We had the choice of exploring Cadiz or taking a 2 hour bus ride into Seville.  We opted for Seville.  First, we were surprised at the amount of agricultural land on our way to Seville.  Lots of wheat, olive trees and oranges.   (No need to adjust your screen, images are green because they were taken through the bus windows)

While in Seville, we visited the Plaza de Espana.   It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 (think Balboa Park's origin but on a much grander, I think). It is a landmark example of Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture. This revival style is rich in brick and ceramic tile combinations.  If you zoom in and out of the pictures you will see this detailing.  Especially the various ceramic patterns.  Lovely.

We then visited  the Seville Cathedral which is also  mix of Moorish and Gothic architecture.  The outstanding feature is the bell tower. The cathedral's bell tower, La Giralda, was originally the minaret of the mosque built in the 12th century by Moorish rulers of the Almohad dynasty. This 93-meter-high tower is still the emblem of Seville.  The Christians, rather than destroy the mosque added Christian symbols so, looking at the tower, everything below the bells was part of the mosque and the Christians added on top the bell tower.  The only other remaining mosque element are the giant iron entrance gates and the entrance opening.

Mosque entrance gates.

Inside, one of the notable features is a coffin for (part of, he got moved 3 times) of Christopher Columbus with the 4 ancient Spanish territories as the pallbearers.   The detailing on this monument were beautiful.  I included some of these details.  Two of Columbus' 4 trips left from Cadiz and the other two from Seville.

Finally a stop for sangria and Sherry...the Sherry was very dry, but the sangria was refreshing...even drinking it during a quick rain shower on an outdoor patio.  We felt very European.

Trivia:  Spain produces more olive oil than Italy.   

• Spain is the largest olive producer in the world with 9,819,569 tons production per year.
• Italy comes second with 1,877,222 tons yearly production.