Now it is off to Andalucia with my tour group

What better way to see Spain than via the great cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Valencia and Barcelona.. So thats what's in store for me over the next couple of weeks Above arer some pics from my group - there are only 7 plus a tour leader.. (5 US, 1 spanish and 2 aussies)

Last weekend with friends in Madrid

I got to spend a good amount of time with Victor and Vincent and friends on my final weekend in Madrid.. This is a great city - i think because of the people here. We are pictured above at Victor's place and then on Saturday in Chueca Square.

Miro, Picasso and more...

After seeing the sights - I decided to hop off the bus and I spent all afternoon at the Reina Sofia museum. It is Madrid's Modern Art museum(last pic) . It was well worth the time spent and I was exhausted by the end of it so i went to the el lago pool to cool down. For those who have been after more pool photos I have collected a sample for you. http://picasaweb.google.com/coaster2007/ElLagoPool

Madrid Bus Tour

On Thursday I boarded one of those red double decker buses to go see Madrid's famous sights..

Alvaro's local area is home to the Real Madrid Football team

Next stop was Nuevos Ministerios/Charmartin - the area where Alvaro went to school - above are pictures of the huge football(Soccer) stadium along with Alvaro's old schoool - St Augustine's and Church St George.

A stroll through Madrid, then lunch

After a leisurely stroll past the Parliament(and security) Alvaro took me to a fantastic restaurant specialising in Paella - We had the seafood one with Black Squid Ink through it. Then after lunck it was a walk past the museum district.

Whilst at Casa de Campo !

Whilst I was tempted by the excitement of what I saw in the park - I think bullfighting practice is much safer than bullfighting ... It's not a sport I plan to take up ...