Driving on the West Coast

Is about the journey, not the destination. 

It took us two days to travel from L.A. to Yosemite. Why? There are so many things to see and feel and enjoy on the road in Monterey County.

We stopped to admire the surfers and their kites on Del Monte Beach...

... to admire and photograph again hundreds of sea lions, laying on the shores of Monterey Bay in process to change their skin...

... to watch the birds in the trees...

... and the sun behind the clouds...

... and the strangest sunset ever seen... 

... then, McWay Waterfalls, in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

McWay Fall drops over a cliff 80 feet (24 m) into the Pacific Ocean, and is a spectacular view from a gorgeous terrace in the mountain, on the other side. 

If you drive in Monterey County, make sure you stop for a while here to admire this incredible waterfall.

We ended the road trip in El Portal, Yosemite, meeting Dave and the other attendees at the photography workshop, then getting some 

good night sleep in the Cedar Lodge.

Let's the adventure begin!

Zafra, Extremadura, Day #2

The journey itself was an adventure, we didn't hesitate to turn the car on the view of something interesting or to stop anywhere an unexpected angle caught our eyes.

Zafra is one of the prettiest towns in southern Extremadura, as well as being extremely accessible due to its position, located on the 'ruta de la plata' or tin route. It could well be the oldest road in Europe. This was the route taken by tin traders from England right through to Huelva and Cadiz.

Known as Sevilla la Chica (the Little Seville) thanks to architectural similarities, especially its courtyards, white houses and alleyways overhung with carnations, the town has cobbled streets and two main squares (grande and chica), worth visiting a whole day long.

The Alcázar de los Duques de Feria, the 15th century castle in Zafra, once a Moorish fortress, it now houses the Parador Nacional, one of the most beautiful and best hotels in Zafra.

 

The plan was to enter and have a coffee, but instead, we walked through the bar and entered the backyard terrace and pool and stole a moment of quiet and relaxation on the edge of the pool. Couldn't help to try the water, I thought it would be fun to be caught doing such a crazy thing!

There are lots of wonderful places and things to see in Zafra. There are a few large parks in which to sit and enjoy the sun, we parked the car just across one of them and took lots of pictures around.

In Santa Clara's Convent we assisted to a wedding where the choir was a kind of mariachi playing guitars and some beautiful Spanish music!  It didn't seem very religious to me, it appeared to be more like kind of Spanish party music!

I sat down and assisted to the wedding while Bogdan was discreetly taking pictures around. 

We just walked on the streets, trying to see all those beautiful places, to fill up our memory, sight and thoughts with the colors, silence and peace we found all around.

Here we noticed again the stork nests on the church, it looks like a local tradition, we found them everywhere!

Then, we stopped for a while and had a coffee in Plaza Grande, with its gorgeous arches... I have only one thing bothering me: there were lots of cars parked in that square, I wouldn't allow them in such a beautiful and old place!

After a lunch full of savor, because, I have to say, we are addicted to tapas, we hardly found our way to the next destination. But it was worth all the effort, you'll see!

Prespa Lake, Makedonia

 Close to Ohrid Lake, in Macedonia, is Prespa Lake. We crossed Galicica mountain, at 1500 meters high, to reach the highest lake in the Balkans and second largest lake in Macedonia. 

Among Prespa Lake and Ohrid Lake, lays the mountain Galicica, as I said, below which runs underwater channel called Zavir. From here, the water flows in the springs of St. Naum, and from there it fills Lake Ohrid. We crossed the mountain at 1500 meters high. There is a point from where you can see both lakes, the views are really breathtaking!

 The coast of Prespa Lake is the purest one in whole of Macedonia. Nature seems untouched by human hand. White pelicans, cormorants, herons, cranes and swans are gathering close to the lake, which, in turn, is rich with dozens of different types of fish like carp, trout, rudd... 

It is located at a slightly higher altitude and its environs are much less populated. Here the wildlife prevails. This does not make it less beautiful, but just on the contrary. 

It is interesting to note that despite its small area, Prespa Lake is situated in 3 countries - Macedonia, Albania and Greece.

Although it has less fame, it is not less beautiful. Prespa Lake has an exclusive charm. The surrounding area is very well preserved and the modern civilization almost did not leave its mark. I said ALMOST, because on our way around the lake we found an abandoned restaurant, on a beautiful beach, known only by a little amount of people. We put the car in reverse and stopped for a couple of hours, refreshing, taking pictures and enjoying the moment.