Novelda, Alicante and Benidorm

After Amsterdam we went to Novelda to visit Marisa, one of my really good friends that I met my junior year while she was studying abroad at UM. After two years I finally made it to see her :DD

Here we are at this wonderful cafe only about 5 feet from Marisa's home. The coffee was spectacular and after going there every morning while we were staying with her I am definitely spoiled.

Here we are at a historical site in Novelda. We went to two houses that were owned by wealthy sisters in Novelda. The houses were beautiful, as I am sure you can tell. The first house we went to was given to the local government and over the years there were break-ins where many things were stolen and vandalism took place. The second house that we went to was much better preserved and it has been privately owned by a bank for some time. Marisa worked at both houses in restoring paintings and such. Marisa you did a marvelous job ;)

Stairs that Marisa restored :)

The second sister's house

This was a way to get water into the house and the green ceramic cylinder on the left was used to filter the water.

This ham is ABSOLUTELY amazing!! It is only salt cured and you can find it everywhere.

A cold day in Novelda...

This tower is found on the outskirts of Novelda and was originally built by Muslims that came to occupy Novelda. Over the centuries the Christians and Muslims fought over who controlled this tower and many others that are found throughout Europe. This is one of three towers that remains standing today. A Christian cathedral was built next to this tower.

The view from the base of the tower

Walking toward the cathedral

Here is the ham I was telling you guys about! Sooo good!

On the road to Alicante for the day.

The following day we went to Benidorm, which is a huge tourist town on the Mediterranean.

Who would have ever thought that we would come across a place in Spain that reminded us so much of Daytona?

After months of traveling we finally made it to a beach!!

Marisa and me reunited at the beach. It has been such a long time since South Beach

A rainy night out on the town in Novelda! It was pouring and the streets were flooding. As cars would go past we would yell and signal for them to slow down because otherwise we would be sprayed with the water from the street. After a couple of times of getting water slung on us, we decided it was time to move inside ;)

Walking around Novelda, to recover the umbrellas that we left at a bar the night before. It stopped raining and well they were left... whoops ;)

Marisa we had a wonderful time with you!! I am super duper glad that I got to see you, Novelda and to meet your family and friends. Next time I will come in the summer and we will go to Benidorm :D