Valencia

Posted at 10:57 PM, May. 21, 2006

What I forgot to cover off in the last posting was our visit to Valencia. We stopped over for a night on the way to Budapest and started off visiting the America's Cup Village. Iy was Sunday last week and a race day so we could watch the boats from the raised decking area and also see them on the large screens. There were about 40,000 people there which I imagine was good for a Sunday at this stage of proceedings. What they have done with the development leaves Auckland for dead - the buildings and the bases are very impressive. Emirates Team NZ are on the other side of the basin well away from the action and with only a small retail presence by contrast to the "big" teams.The Loaded Hog set up by Stewart Thwaites is  (at least at this stage) the only bar in the whole very big complex and occupies a premier position. They are revolving the staff on a monthly basis with the Auckland bar.

We managed to still be there to watch the boats come in after racing and it was a great sight to see them plus the dozens of spectator boats.

Had a wander around the city - looks to be a great place with wide streets and planting down the middle etc. We stayed at a hotel in the centre of the old town near the bullring but missed the 6.00pm entertainment if thats what you can call it. The city was deserted during the siesta time but by late afternoon the place was packed and the tapas bars doing a roaring trade - which we helped along.

Have a few good photo's which I will post when I get back to Denia.

Cheers

Keith