palma - halcyon days

Palma de Mallorca, showcasing here the island's azure skies and winter sunshine.(warning: copious amounts of blue in the following pictures)

After arriving and putting our things in our accomodation, we headed for the beach bar PUROBEACH,

but upon arrival, we found that it was closed,

so we strolled along the sea,

until we reached Hotel Marina Luz,

to sip on a Pina Colada, with some soft lounge music in the background,

and frolicked with thoughts of swimming.

As the sun began to set, we traversed along the footpath,

watching couples grow old,

hearing the tides roll into shore,

feeling ancient rock pillars carved into the ground,

and breathing the familiar salty sea breeze.

Civilization crept ever closer,

but the road forward seemed clear,

wandering into the sunset

of the Spanish winter.

We took a bus back, and walked through the empty streets,

to search for dinner,

but all the restaurants were too expensive,

so we entered a small restaurant,

although

after eating

Jamon Iberico,

and pork chops,

together with restaurant-hopping musicians soliciting for money,

we became broke.

These were the halcyon days in Spain.

madrid - the golden triangle of art

Arriving at Madrid early in morning, we headed from the airport towards our accommodation. It was situated slightly off the center of Madrid.

Our accommodation

We ate lunch at a restaurant below our place but it was not that good.

After lunch we went to walk around Madrid aimlessly, taking pictures of random buildings.

Walked towards the Museo Del Prado to see the 'Las Meninas'.

Museo del Prado

Las Meninas, with a tour guide blocking my skillful stealth photography skills.

Saturn devouring his Son by Goya

I also found this painting (The Dog) to be one of the most enigmatic artworks I've seen. A dog seems to be drowning but is looking at something else in a darker space of the painting.

The Dog by Goya

After that we walked in the park El Retiro, good place to unwind as the day comes to a close.

We left the park as the sun began to set, walking slowly back to our accommodation.

The next day we ate breakfast at this churros place, where they serve hot chocolate for you to dip the churros.

Churros with hot chocolate

We then walked to the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real).

Subsequently, we started to head towards the Museo Reina Sofia for some modern art. It was the day before Reyes Magos (a festival), so there were quite a few children-related activities in the streets.

A protest beside some kid activities

Bubbles blowing out from the building for kids

Here is the Museo Reina Sofia, a museum for modern art.

Museo Reina Sofia

Rothko

Yves Klein

After walking through the entire museum, we made friends with a Chinese girl who went with us to witness the procession of the Magos Reyes.

.

At the end of the procession, we went to eat dinner at a restaurant called La Bardemcilla. Pretty nice songs that they played over there.

After the meal, we went back to our accommodation and the girl went to pick her things up to head towards Barcelona.

Overall I think Madrid is a bit boring but some people say you have to stay in the city longer to truly experience the life in Madrid. Between Barcelona and Madrid, I would choose Barcelona for tourism, and Madrid for living.