Courtyard of the Lions, AlHambra (A Spanish-Moroccan journey Part 3.2)

Courtyard of the Lions, AlHambra, originally uploaded by alreza.

This was the focal point of the Sultan's private dwellings in the days of the old Moorish dynasty. The design of the Courtyard of Lions was not that of a 'house' with a garden but rather a garden containing a house. The middle area contains refreshing water springs that pour out of the mouths of 12 white marble lions. The Alhambra has been declared a monument of human heritage and it is also in the running to be voted as one of the new 7 wonders. Please vote for it if possible.. :)

View On Black

Flamenco in Granada! (A Spanish-Moroccan journey Part 3.1)

Flamenco Dancer #2, originally uploaded by alreza.

Upon arriving in Granada, we had the option to attend a local traditional flameco show. These performers are actually gypsy descendants that have been practicing it through their generations. Although considered part of the Spanish culture, flamenco really originates from the Andalucian region. It is generally acknowledged that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Andalucian, Islamic, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures that existed in Andalucia in ancient times.

Photographing in what appears to be a cave-like-tunnel-of-a-hall seems abit tricky. The lightings and the pots and pans really throws of my white balance and using a flash would throw away ambient light. Though it was challenging, I found it fun... the capture and the dance!

Toledo city streets (A Spanish-Moroccan journey Part 2)

Toledo city streets, originally uploaded by alreza.

The next place in the Spanish leg of the journey was Toledo which was 70km south of Madrid. Apparently this placed now is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Toledo city looks like it was built on a hill with rocky slopes that were wrapped with roads and on some slopes ended by the Targus river.

Walking through the streets of mostly cobbled stones, one could still see remnants of Moorish architecture. It really reminded me of medieval times...of knights and knaves, of horses and carriages....Anyway, we did visit the local smithy where the ancient art of sword, sheild and armor making were inherited during the Muslim era in Toledo. From here, we would re-trek their journey to Cordoba (see Part 3).

Madrid!! (A Spanish-Moroccan journey Part 1)

Palacio Real de Madrid, originally uploaded by alreza.

The first stop of my journey through Southern Spain and Northern Morocco was Madrid!! A beautiful place though the buildings reminded me soo much of Chicago and Adelaide when I was there. Madrid has some nice and unique architecture, and the main site we visited was the Palacio Real de Madrid or the Royal Palace of Madrid. Oh and btw, apparantly the football teams actual English name is Royal Madrid but I guess people got used to calling them Real madrid.

Sorry that I digressed a little there. Anyway, this place was the original site of the Alcazar in anceint times which also was previously a fort built by the Islamic kingdom of Toledo during the 9th Century. Now this is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Spain, though oddly enough he seldom resides there and instead chooses to reside at the smaller Palacio de la Zarzuela. Most of the time, the Royal Palace acts as a musuem though personally I find the insides stocked with more of His Majesty's collection of trinkets. Photography inside the palace is forbidden and with my dSLR it would be near impossible for me to steal a shot...sigh. Need to get me one of those neat phone cameras.. ;)