Who ate all the Paellas?

Sunday 4th November 2018 - El Saler, south of Valencia.

I am combining my Valencia report into one blog.  This is our third day at this location and we have had two days in Valencia and have been mightily impressed.  We have enjoyed the 10 km cycle route along the beach into the city onto the Jardin las Turia which is the dry river bed made into a thin strip of park that surrounds the east and north of the city centre.  Part of it includes the Ciudad de las Artes y las Cientias (a group of modernistic buildings that include an Aquarium, a Science Museum, an IMAX cinema and an Opera House' surrounded by water features).  See the wow photos below....

How come we didn't know about this place?  It's visually stunning......it must have had European funding!

The rest of the old city centre is unspoilt and has many beautiful buildings and nice small streets.

This is the Place de la Reina with the Cathedral on display.  We didn't go in because of the 8 euro charge.

The Central Market is a wonderful building and had lovely produce on display.

This is the Place de la Virgin!!! 

We sampled the local Horchata, a sweet milky drink made from earth almonds called Chufas and a sweet bread stick called a Farton!  Despite what women say I have proof......

.....that chuffing women sneek a Farton every now and then.

Yesterday we picked a busy tapas bar to have some 'gambas' (prawns) and paella.  Valencia claims to be the home of paella as the region grows much of the rice.

We were impressed by the Ceramics Museum which was housed in a Marquises Palace.  The exterior was amazing and the interior was just as good.

Later we cycled out to the beach and harbour area.

Altogether Valencia is a great city with a bit of everything.  It is right up there with Barcelona, perhaps a bit better because it didn't feel too touristy...although it is November.

In the evenings we have got quite chatty with Andy and Heather, a couple from Derby who are in their motorhome doing a similar thing to us but they are slightly younger.

Today we have stayed near the site.  This afternoon. We cycled to El Palmas, a small town on the edge of L'Albufera lake which was the the birthplace of the Paella.  I have never seen so many people and restaurants in a small non-descript bog standard town.  The paella must have been good!  We had already eaten or I could have been tempted again.

The  L'Albufera lake was beautiful with blue skies and mountains in the background.

Seeing it was so nice, I went back to the site and got changed to go and have a swim in the Med.

Not so cold actually but I didn't stay in long!