11am

We are checking out from the hostal today.

The bags were heavier, so we hailed a cab from hostal to train station. It would be our last day in Granada, the city that I had fallen in love and learnt some valuable lessons on Islam and politics.

We put the bags at the coin-feed compartment and decided to explore the city just carrying our backpack along. We took two big compartments, one for each bag. Took all the necessities and put them in the bagpack and shut the door.

We finally finished writing our postcards last night and mailed them at the yellow post box in front of the train station, and started our walking journey.

The day was sunny so I've discarded my fleece jacket and stuffed it into the backpack. I was wearing my Sarawak Deer Cave T-Shirt and noticed that everybody who saw my shirt tried to read the wordings. Hahaha for once I am proud to show off the rich natural heritage of my country.

Today Jules decided that we should go to every tourists spots that are in the city map. Last night we had studied the places that we need to go and ticked the ones that we have visited. So, today we are going to finish off whatever places that we have not visited minus the ones that are too far away. This way we can cover and take pictures at almost all the tourists spots in Granada.

First destination was the Fuente Del Triunfo, a square near Avienda De La Constitucion where like any squares in Europe have beutiful fountain and monument. The square was just opposite Royal Hospital. The sky was blue and there was not a single cloud hanging over us. From there we walked to the Puerta de Elvira (Door of Elvira) an arch at another entrance to Albayzin. From the arch the paths would lead to Monasterio de Santa Isabel la Real (Monestry of Santa Isabel la Real) and Palacio de Dar al-Horra (Palace of Dar al-Horra) and Murallas del Albaycin (Walls of the Albayzin).

From Puerta de Elvira we crossed the Gran Via de Colon to San Juan de Dios Gran to Basilica de San Juan de Dios (Basilica of San Juan de Dios). We were greeted with the cacophony of bells ringing so loud that I can't even hear what Jules were saying to me. So I just signed to her.. "Take my picture here!"

We were on church conquest. From the basilica we headed to Iglesia de San Jeronimo (Church of San Jeronimo) and to Iglesia de los Santos Jusdo y Pastor (Church of the Saints Justo and Pastor). Again it was siesta time and most of the shops were closed for lunch and rest. Only a handful were opened especially the ones that were run by the Chinese.

We headed to Cathedral and again we had to dodge gypsies selling olive leaves to us. We kept going in and out the shops near Cathedral until we found another 'chic' shop selling nice and expensive looking souvenirs. I found the similar fragile white glass like the one I broke in Sevilla. This time it is Granada. I bought the glass and handed over to Jules to carry. Yea!

Near the cathedral was the Capilla real or Royal Chapel and the Palacio de la Madraza (Palace of la Madraza). During the sultan rule, madraza or madrasah (religious school) must be near to the house of worship (masjid) which is in line with the role of the masjid itself as not only a place of worship but also the centre of education.

From there we walked to Corral del Carbon - kind of a fort that still retain its Islamic architecture. Took a few pictures outside the fort as the place is closed for the day. Inside the fort is another courtyard but it was a shame that we could not enter the place.

From there we visited another must "spot" the McD hahaha. Its already late afternoon so the fast food restaurant was not so crowded when we entered. As usual we bought the Fillet meal large and enjoy the last meal in Granada.

From there we walked to the Plaza Mariana Pineda and people watching. Its time where the old people went out and enjoy the day. Granada has become more like tourist city where hostals, hotels and shopping complexes like El Corte Ingles flourished. Took some pictures here and there and just wanted to explore the city.

We just follow the crowd and later found that we are nearing the Rio Genil. Decided to walk along the river and enjoy the scenery. We reached Paseo Del Salon and follow the river. Took some pictures with snow capped Sierra Nevada in the background.

Paseo Del Salon and the adjoining Paseo De La Bomba are like a strip of garden along the riverside and like almost every road and garden in Andalusia, these gardens were also lined with orange trees.

Jules were so fascinated with the orange fruits and since we reached Sevilla she has been trying to get at least one fruit to taste. Unfortunately both of us were too chicken to pluck one from the many trees lining the street.

Here at Paseo De La Bomba, she felt she must taste at least one orange fruit. We looked for tree that a bit hidden and looked around us. No one was around.

"OK now! Pluck one!"
Jules quickly selected the fruits that she wanted and plucked not one but four fruits.. Her reason, one for her, one for me, one for Minna and one for Abg Annis. hahahahaha.

We sat at the bench nearby and Jules peeled off the thick skin revealed a nice juicy orange. Popped one into her mouth and offered a slice to me.. Err no thanx. Looked sour. "Was it sour?" I asked her.

"It doesn't taste good," she said and peeled off another orange fruit.

"Tak sedapla Ni," She told me.
"I think, that's why people didn't bother to pick the fruit. It did not taste good.

"But the colour was so orangy ye Jules," I told her
"Look can be very deceiving ya."

Hahahahaha there goes our fruit tasting in Granada. Jules dropped all the oranges back under the trees and we continued our walked along the river. Lucky Jules had iron stomach. At least she did not feel squeeshy after that foul tasting orange hehehe.

We turned at Pte Verde and walked at the other side of the river and back to Pte Blanco and leisury tracked our way back to the centre.

This time we decided to spend time at the Internet Cafe. We still have a few hours to kill before we need to go back to the train station. It was already 7.30pm when we reached the internet cafe.

There were too many people inside. Mostly tourists who use the same communication service to gather information, make bookings, send words to family and friends, browsing the internet or just updating Real Madrid football matches.. like Jules.

I was sitting next to an English couple who have difficulties to log in. I had the same problem when I first logged in but being young and intelligent (ahem!) I solved the mystery easily but not for this elderly couple, who like me have very very limited Spanish knowledge. So, being a kind person that I am (again ahem!) I offered my "expertise". In just less than a minute he logged in. Thank you very much.

Jules neighbour was a young couple who was watching the real time football match. Its the guy who watched and the gal who had to accompany him. The girl was so bored that she ended reading Jules mail, not that Jules mind because she was only updating her friends on football and F1 match hehehehe.

After an hour at the internet cafe, we walked to the train station. Freshen up and took our bags from the compartments and get ready for another 12-hour journey to Barcelona.

The Talgo train was already at the berth when we brought our bags at the platform. Asked the conductor whether we can board the train and he said yes.

It was a very very very long journey

We got the four seats that facing each other. There were already two Japanese girls sitting in their seats. One was facing mine, the other was at the next aisle. Told Jules that this will be the most uncomfortable and long journey to Barcelona.

Jules said she wanted the window seat. The seat opposite her was still empty so she can stretch her legs while I had to align my legs and Im afraid that these legs of mine would be cramped once we reached Barcelona.. urgh!

The train was slowly filled with the night passengers and by the time it was completely full. The seat in front of Jules was occupied by an annoying mamat bunga who came to the station with his girlfriend.

OK, we don't have anything against mamat bunga but the reason they were called that was because they were annoying. Granted his girlfriend was pretty but pleeeeaaaassseeeeeee... its not like WE ARE GOING TO ngurating him! I don't know whether he felt honoured to be surrounded with Asian girls or he was naturally annoying.. ok enough!.

Jules kept bumping her legs with the guy all along the journey. Pity her. My butt hurts so much and my knee cap felt that they were realigned. A group of young people were sitting at between trains were talking loudly while drinking beers and eating panini. Yep! This was a long journey from Cordoba to Barcelona.

My whole body ache...