The travels of Tim and Megan: Valencia, Spain

Monday

Monday dawned bright, clear (and full of wind...). We started as we meant to go on with one of those buffet breakfasts that hotels specialise in. We are very fond of such arrangements! Our hotel outdid itself and we almost outdid our stomachs with fresh fruit, croissants, pain aux chocolats, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, sausages, cereal and yoghurt, the best orange juice you have ever tasted, cold meats and cheeses and chocolate tarts for dessert (?). After that, we rolled out the door to explore Valencia.

We knew nothing about Valencia and so we did what tourists do when they know nothing about a city - we took a bus tour. Our journey through the city on a fine double decker bus confirmed what we had already suspected, Valencia is a very cool city. We enjoyed the historical aspects, and once again marvelled at the feats generations past managed in order to build either city protection or religious houses. Something a bit different about Valencia - the residents got sick of the river running through the city flooding all the time so they diverted it elsewhere and the green riverbed is now an enormous mass of sports facilities, gardens and parks. Very nice...

Valencia's other chief boasting point is the staggering City of Arts and Sciences - a four pronged complex with Imax theatres, a planetarium, a modern science museum and "the largest aquarium in Europe". Megan was extremely keen to see the aquatic life so off we went. The science museum was good, but as most of it was in Spanish only, we struggled to get the most out of it. The aquarium was much better. The sharks, performing dolphins and tropical fish were all great, but the favourite was the beluga whale. He made it all worthwhile (check him out below).

More tapas and more drinks followed that night, including a third night in a row for patatas bravas - fried potato with mayonnaise and chilli sauce (but keep to the Spanish, it sounds exotic and much healthier).

Tuesday

Tuesday dawned bright, clear (and full of wind...again...). Valencians seem to be truly spoilt for sunshine. We sped off to the beach and made a patriotic sandcastle. The beach was beautiful and very popular. It demonstrated something you have to admire about Europeans; they don't let having an imperfect body stop them throwing on some togs (and throwing them off again for that matter - loads of topless Spanish girls, Dave) and having fun in the sun. Of course, this does have a line which constantly gets crossed with speedos and the like.

Then we were off for a final time to the viaduct to wave off the boats and watch the start of the race before heading to the airport. We had a snack and a few beers in the Defender bar - very nice other than the fact it was swarming with Alinghi fans, as you would expect. We got the bad news as we arrived at the airport, pretty gutted all round. More bad luck was to follow including two airport delays, over an hour waiting at immigration and the absence of Megan's suitcase at baggage claim (not the first time) meaning that by the time we arrived home, it was past midnight and we were extremely hungry (1am Spanish time). Not much is open past 10pm in central London but full credit to the golden arches, it made a bad night a little bit better.

So in summary, despite some minor disappointments, one of the best holidays we've had. Valencia is an amazing city. If the next Cup is in Valencia, book tickets, we have an excellent hotel recommendation...