Spain

6/21 -- 7/4/2014

June 30 ...

Zaragoza
I woke up early and walked to the riverbed (Rio Ebro) and crossed the bridge (the Puente de Piedra is also called the Bridge of Lions because four lions (symbols of the city) are placed on the pillars at each end of the bridge). The Basilica–Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, which venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, is a Roman Catholic church dominating the Zaragoza skyline. Numerous churches have been built upon this site through the years. The present spacious church in Baroque style was begun in 1681 by Charles II, King of Spain and completed in 1686. In 1725, the Cabildo of Zaragoza decided to change the aspect of the Holy Chapel and commissioned the architect Ventura Rodríguez, who transformed the building into its present dimensions of 130 meters long by 67 wide, with its eleven cupolas and four towers.

Zaragoza --> Torla --> Ordesa
I planned to visit Ordesa National Park to experience the natural beauty of Spain in addition to Spanish culture and architecture in the cities. On the way, at the intersection of N330/N260, we were stopped by a police check point where they took our car keys and passports; it took them more than 5 minutes to verify our passports and entrance status. Half an hour later, we were blocked again, but this time it was a herd of sheep. We had to follow them really slow (< 5km/hr) for about 30 minutes until there was a crossroad that we could pass. Although it was an unexpected delay, it was a fun experience for us.
At this time of year, private cars are not allowed in enter Ordesa Valley. We had to park at the visitor center at Torla, and purchased the bus ticket to take the shuttle bus into the park.

Ordesa National Park
Ordesa Valley was made a National Park by Royal Decree in 1918. It was later reclassified, enlarged, and renamed to Parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido in 1982 to cover the whole region amounting to 156.08 km². The Rio Arazas cuts through forested limestone escarpments, providing some of Ordesa's most popular hikes. We took the shuttle bus to Pradera, and hiked along the Rio Arazas to several cascades: Arripas, La Cueva, El Estrncho, and Gradas Soaso.

Torla
After the 6-hour hike, we were back at the hotel in Torla, and found the closest restaurant in the small town. The 3-course meal with a complimentary bottle of wine and water was one of our best dinners in Spain, especially with the setting of mountains and cobbled streets of an old village.