The weather has so far been fantastic – moderate temperatures, sunshine and clear blue skies. And none of last year’s storms of red dust blowing up from the Sahara – which I would have experienced had I made the trip last year, as planned. It was a short ride to Antequera, the easiest day so far and probably of the whole Spain tour. It was something I’d planned for as I wanted time to explore Antequera, once I’d arrived. I set out from the hotel/truck stop on small frontage road along the A93M highway, then cycled through fairly uninteresting countryside for five miles before reaching Archidona, which sits in the foothills of of the Sierra de Gracia. I dropped down along a steep street to a nice plaza that seemed an ideal spot for a banana and Clif Bar snack.
I had a bit of trouble getting back on route after my break – originally going the wrong way on A7282 and then mistakenly taking what I thought was a bike path but, from the looks of it, was mostly used by inconsiderate dog walkers. In short order however, I was back on track and bombing down A7282, but then missed my turn while waving to cyclists laboring up the hill. It was not much backtracking to the smaller road that led me to a rough dirt track before putting me back on the larger A7282. I arrived in Antequera about thirty minutes before my 2 pm check-in time, but the room was ready within ten minutes. I cleaned up, rested a bit and went out to have a look around town.
Keith AdamsCould you tell whether that's a dwelling or a storage building of some sort? If it's a dwelling it's on the humble end of the spectrum, for sure.
I suppose it could be some sort of shelter for itinerant drovers or other nomads? Reply to this comment 1 year ago
Though I'd planned my route to have ample time to explore Antequera, I had neglected to do any research/planning for my visit. Thus I flew right by the ancient burial grounds on my way into town, missing the Dolmen de Menga, described as “one of the pinnacles of flat architecture in European Prehistory.” And I stumbled across the Alcazaba of Antequera, but only after noticing the turreted walls and deciding to head uphill to investigate. My aimless but ever-upward route took me to the back of the Alcazaba, and though I could see people gazing from the towers above I could not figure out how to get in. After wandering around for a bit, I settled for a drink and perhaps some tapas at Bar La Socorrilla, which I'd passed on my way to the Alcazaba.
As I sat there, nursing my Kas Limon and musing about the lack of tapas on offer, I noticed a tour group heading up a side street. I followed, surmising they must be headed for the Alcazaba. And so they were. And, it turns out, so was I.
Plaza del Coso Viejo. You might be able to pick out the walls of the Alcazaba of Antequera at the top, just under the trees. It was something I failed to notice. And the entrance gate was only a modest walk up some steps from my hotel
Betsy EvansWe found that free tapas were provided in Granada province, but not necessarily elsewhere. In Malaga province, I think the most we got with a drink was a few olives. But we found tapas to be inexpensive everywhere. Reply to this comment 1 year ago
Susan CarpenterTo Betsy EvansThanks Betsy for a little clarification! It was the Tapas Tour guide in Granada who said it was a law that you have to serve some small amount of food with each drink, but it helps to know that applies only in Granada. Reply to this comment 1 year ago
Finished with my short tour of the Alcazaba, I headed back down the hill in search of an open restaurant. It was only six pm, but I was hungry and hoped I might find someplace serving food. I checked in at a spot off Plaza del Coso Viejode – the kitchen was closed but they directed me to a place on Plaza San Francisco, a short walk. Wanting to explore some of the local fare, I ordered grilled Ibérico Lagarto, which turned out to be grilled strips of pork over slices of steamed potatoes with a little Romesco-like sauce on the side. I’ll keep exploring.
Going all in on Spain, I ordered a Mosta with mineral water. It didn't have the same pizzazz as what I sampled in Granada.
I suppose it could be some sort of shelter for itinerant drovers or other nomads?
1 year ago