Monday April 29, 2019. 

From the Bus

We got to sleep in today, which is always a plus. Most of the time we like the earlier trains so we can get to our new destination with most of the day ahead of us. We had decided that Spain’s later dining might make it harder to get enough sleep. So today we planned an 1115 bus which meant we did not have to leave the hotel until 1025. Oh what simple luxury this is. We make the climb to the bus station and the extra weight of the pack makes me sweat a little.

Spanish Mountains

The bus is not as punctual as our previous experience and arrives about 15 minutes late. Our destination is the Mountain town of Ronda. The bus ride is more than we expected, traveling on windy mountain roads, first with views back to the sea and as far as Gibraltar, and then panoramic views of the surrounding hills and mountains. It is a really beautiful and not very fast ride. We arrive about thirty five minutes late but we do not care. Our hotel room is almost ready so we wait outside until the floor dries. It is a nice room for the low price of 40 Euros a night.

No Toast, Just Nuts

All checked in, we walk the main drag of town, looking for a place to eat. We settle for one on our list, called Las Maravillas. We start with a cheese platter that includes three types of cheese, grapes, strawberry, candied fruits, and nuts. We eat slowly enjoying the flavors with some beer to wash it down.

It’s All Good

I decided to try a beer called Desperados, which has tequila in it. It is very good and goes down smooth. Carol tries an upscale bottle of the local brew. For the main meal we choos an Iberian Pork with chimichurro sauce, peppers, and potatoes. It is super tasty as well. We decide to make reservations for tomorrow at 1900 for an early by Spanish standards meal. That taken care of, we continue down the street to a viewpoint.

Carol Taking it In

The main attraction in the town is the surrounding views and the local Tajo gorge which we plan to hike tomorrow. The views do not disappoint. We walk a cliffside promenade and get our first views of the gorge and the Puente Nueva ( new bridge) that spans it. The ravine, El Tajo, is 360 feet down and 200 feet wide. It divides the old moorish quarter from the newer Christian town that was built after the reconquest in 1485.

Puente Nueva

The new bridge which spans the gorge may be mislabeled as it was built from 1751 to 1793. An earlier bridge built in 1735 fell after six years. I guess they got it right the second time. It is a beautiful structure with its double arches. We cross the bridge an follow a street which leads to a small plaza. The path into the gorge starts here but is blocked and covered in barbed wire except for a small opening at one end. I am dismayed by this as I really wanted to go down into the gorge. We decide to walk and see if there is another entrance down.

Government Building

We come to another plaza with a church and government building. We search near a parking area and elsewhere for a way down to no avail. We cross back over the bridge and go to the Tourist Info office and I ask if there is a place we can walk down into the gorge. She says yes Estonia out a map and shows us right where we were. I tell her there is barbed wire and signs there and she says do not worry, go around it, the closure is for a museum at the bottom. I guess we will try it tomorrow and see what happens. Carol is not feeling well so we return to the room and I go to check out the local grocery store while she rests. I return with some ice cream cones which brings a nice smile to her face. Butter pecan and caramel, two of her favorites. We stay in for the evening hoping she will feel better tomorrow.

Expenses
Bus to Ronda 13.48E
Hotel Andalucia 40E
Lunch at Las Maravellas 35.30E
Ice Cream Cone, donuts, pastries from market 4.35E
Walked 5 Miles