Toledo

24 November 2011

As early as 6.30am, we woke up and prepared for our next trip to Toledo.

 

At 7.45am, we're leaving Granada.

6 hours later (can you imagine..6-freaking hours journey!!), we stopped for lunch and we reached Toledo. 

During the journey, just an hour before we reached the city, Hayra was vomiting badly. I tried to calm myself and not to get panicked. Her vomiting area spread out to the three seats in front of the bus. I kept on apologizing the Singaporean couple who was in front of us. I tried to wipe the whole vomit area with the baby wipes and once we stopped for lunch, i changed hayra with a new fresh cloth and myself also need the changing. Poor Hayra. It wasn't really her fault. I blamed the travel agency for the late lunch break that we had yesterday which might me one of the reasons that her stomach wasn't feeling so good.

Inside the restaurant, we couldn't even eat the food that the travel agency had arranged for us. They mixed the fries with the beef and the black pepper sauce. We decided not to eat anything and just mingled around the restaurant area.

We also managed to enjoy the city view from afar.

At 2.50pm, we started our Toledo walk tour. Again, another advice for us not to use the strollers (..bummer!!). First, we experienced the Martinez Lapena-Torres Arquitectos La Granja Escalators , a 90-foot-high, six-stage escalator that rises along the city wall. It was really unique and amazing.

 

Then, we proceeded to the first stop. I totally forgot the tour guide explanation on this building.

We continued to walk but we have to be really careful all the time because cars can just passing by, even though in the narrow streets.

After that, we were at the Cathedral - being told as the greatest cathedral in Spain. The history of this cathedral started as early as the year 587. Then, the Moors converted it to a mosque in 1085. In 1227, Fernando III laid the first stone of the cathedral.

 

Next to the building is the City Hall which was built in the first half of the 17th century.

 

We continued the walking tour again.

 

And now, we reached the Santo Tome street.

 

Our next stop was the Santo Tome Church and the tour guide gave the explanation about a big painting called the Burial of the Count of Orgaz. I couldn't stay inside and continue to hear the explanation because Emyr's wasn't really comfortable with the surrounding, so we just wait outside the church.

 

After that, we were at the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca which was built in 12th century. Deep inside my heart, I'm still thinking that this was a mosque before even though the Jew denied it.

 

The walking tour was still on.

 

Now, we stopped at the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, founded in 15th century.

 

Then, we proceeded to the bus, but not before experiencing the medieval feeling while walking along the San Martin bridge which was constructed in the 13th century. What a breathtaking view!!

 

And, i was really enjoying myself, looking at the beautiful bridge.

We did see the enormous Bisagra Gate and the beautiful Alcantara Bridge from the bus. I wish that i could have the time or opportunity to capture the picture but i was so busy with the kids at this moment. So, now back to the city itself.