Aisyv looked just the same back in the B.R.A.T’s days …. No
changes and no increase in height as well. Long lost friend of 14 years. I now
had a travel buddy for the next two days and I finally meet another Malaysian
in my 7 months of travels.
My worry of the travel together for the next two days being
awkward was quickly forgotten. Catch up catch up … all the memories, the
questions, the Malaysian slang slowly creeping back, a word or two in Malay a
snicker and good old reminiscence of home.
Granada was fast track as well. All the self-imposed
restriction went out the window when travelling with someone else. Try to cook
a meal a day ….. f*ck that - just venture out and look for restaurant and order
the good stuff. Partially because I know Aisyv mind-set was a holiday mind-set
not a backpackers so a certain luxury is a given. I only almost cry when she
suggested the 160 euro a night hotel …. Luckily she agreed to downgrade (a lot
in her perspective) and I had to upgrade (a lot in my perspective) …. Cost me
35 euro a night which I could afford. Not every day but let’s take this as one
of the emergency case where I get stranded and have no choice but to check into
a Hotel
I ended up spending 300 euro in 2 days …. 3 times the daily
budget of 50 euro a day.
All the things that I see during travels but never did them
for there was a cheaper alternative I did them now with Aisyv. Partially
because we were on a fast track holiday and had to cover as much grounds in the
shortest period of time.
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| Granada - Spain |
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| Granada - Spain |
When alone I would normally walk everywhere, scout, lounge
and never do more than a few hours of tours event unless it’s free. That’s why
even in all the other places, only because I had company that I went on a
rafting trip in Arequipa-Peru which I would never have done if I was alone.
Same goes to the bike ride to Laguna Cejar - Chile and Sugar Loaf Mountain -
Rio. Alone I would just admire quietly unless it is a must do such as Manchu
Pichu and Salt Flats of Bolivia or to see at least one penguin.
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| Flamenco Show - Granada |
Back to Granada …. We did …. Hamman a Turkish Bath House
relaxation spa and massage, Segway tour around the city of Granada. The Segway I
was glad I did it for Granada was not a friendly town to walk. Steep hills and cobbled
stone flooring, as rustic and love gypsy feel that Granada had the terrain was
not so friendly. The view like any other places when you get high enough is
amazing.
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| Flamenco Band |
Flamenco dance show was a given and in a way I was also glad
I catch it with Aisyv for alone I would have contemplated it deeply but not
forked out the money. The traditional dance of Flamenco was powerful, deep and
felt like a trance story told without words but only with the passion and
clacks of the fast paced shuffling feet and facial expression of a bull. How
the dancers survived 2 hours without leg cramps is a wonder.
We did try to enter Alhambra the famous fort but did not go
in for tickets was sold out … Part of the outer grounds were free and it was
still an amazing visit. If I was alone I would never have spent that money for
a Turkish bath, Segway or flamenco but I enjoyed every one of it. Guess a
company is a reason or excuse to open that wallet. Things that I want to do but
never had the excuse to do it.
Now that I had a taste of the Turkish bath I’ll probably
seek it out in Turkey even if I am alone ….. Thanks to Aisyv for recommending
me another vice.
Last Morning I send her to the train station and took a walk
to the bus station to get an overnight bus to Valencia. A whole day in Granada
to burn with nothing to do but contemplate the last few days journey.
May we meet again someday
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