Sylvester dinner 2014 at La Bordelaise

On the last day of 2014 we had a Sylvester dinner at La Bordelaise wine shop in Leiden organized by the owners of La Bordelaise Ivo Erades and Lara Mol who hosted this Champagne tasting/dinner party. 
We joined 23 complete strangers with whom we shared the dinner table. Nice conversations, great fun AND of course lots of champagne. We loved it.

Thanks Ivo & Lara

the menu

hosts Lara and Ivo

phew another glass of champagne ^-^

Next year again Ivo?

Sevilla - Day 6: Museum visit, a tour at the Bullring

Wednesday, 10 December
Strolling through the streets of Seville on our way to the museum of Bellas Artes; so many nice spots. 

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Visiting the Museo de Bellas Artes, which is situated in a former convent.  

Especially the central hall of the museum, which used to be the former church of the convent, was stunning. The art on the walls wasn't so impressing except for a few pieces.

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After our visit to the museum we strolled along the river to revisit the Mercado Gourmet Lonja del Barranco.  

Mercado Gourmet Lonja del Barranco: great food/whine/sunshine AND moreover, opposite to The Netherlands where it's already dark at this time of day, at 17 hrs the sun is still shining.

The bullring at Plaza de Toros de Seville, where still bullfights take place in the summer season. We did the tour, which was rather interesting. Of course I couldn't help myself and expressed my horror at the killing of bulls. 

Seville in Xmas spirit

Our last dinner at La Sal accompanied by a lovely Terras Gauda white wine.

That's it because the day after, on Thursday 11 December we flew home.  

dikke kus

Sevilla - Day 5: Grazalema & a room with a view at Arcos

Tuesday 9 December

Driving a rental car to the Grazalema parc. Yeah, loved it. Nature, animals, hiking and a glass of wine at the parador of Arcos de la Frontera with a view on a stunning sunset. 

griffon vultures and little black boars

view on Grazalema village

Arcos de la Frontera

a parador with a view at Arcos de la Frontera

Wrong choice: Ostia Antica Ristorante Italiano blerghh this isn't Italian food! Pathetic bruschetta and pizza with far too much tasteless cheese. 

to be continued

Sevilla - Day 4: Alcazar

Monday, 8 December

Visiting the Real Alcazar de Seville.

soooo many gorgeous tiles

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The gardens of the Alcazar

yeah an iphone selfie of us

orange trees everywhere and the Giralda

Xmas decorations in the streets

great sushi and more at Japanese restaurant kAEDE

to be continued

Sevilla - Day 3: Alfonso XIII, Triana, Gourmet Croquets and Maria Immaculada

Sunday, 7 December

We started with a coffee at super luxuruous hotel Alfonso XIII, where a wedding party was hosted.

After coffee we walked to working class neighbourhood Triana, the area where the famous tiles used to be made.  

everywhere in Triana is smoke caused by burning chestnuts 

the bridge leading to Triana at the other side of the Gualdalquivir river

Afterwards we strolled along the river, had a cuba libre in the sunshine and visited the Mercado Gourmet Lonja del Barranco (our first visit). Where we ordered a lovely glass of white wine with yummie small croquetas (same size as the Dutch 'bitterballen'). This Gourmet place is a must-see for those enjoying good tapas & wine. 

saints ...

very busy plaza Salvador

Maria Inmaculada: kiss the hand of the Maria statue and donate money in the Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador.

We had no idea what all these people were doing, but found the following explanation: 

The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the catholic church, was the conception  of the blessed virgin Mary in her mother's womb free from original sin. 
The Immaculate Conception is commonly confused with the doctrine of the incarnation and the virgin birth of Jesus, though the two deal with separate subjects. The catholic church teaches Mary was conceived by normal biological means, but her soul was acted upon by God (kept "immaculate") at the time of her conception.
The catholic church celebrates the feast of the Inmaculate Conception on December 8; in many catholic countries, it is a holy day of obligation or patronal feast, and in some a national public holiday. 

In the evening we revisited restaurant La Sal and ordered 3 of their prize winning tapas  

Today was the Day of Inmaculada, a holiday in Spain. In the night from 7th to 8th of December all the Tunas (student's fraternities in traditional medieval dresses) of the city - and many of all the country - come together at the statue of the Virgin Inmaculada, between the cathedral and the Alcazar, to perform their traditional songs. They started after midnite and it was sooo cold. But worthwhile waiting for. What an atmosphere. We loved it.

to be continued