Costa Brava in Black and White

A few unpublished pics from our time in Costa Brava and one from France. Again, these pics seemed to work best in black and white.

Some happy, drunk or crazy soul in Begur, Catalonia.

Me in the Med. I love salt water...

Playing pirates at De Begur Castle, Catalonia.

Peter as King of Catalonia--the flag is yellow and red.

Peter 

Me on the Costa Brava.

Peter at La Reira.

Inside Queribus Castle, France.

Espanya Em Rendeixo

Espanya Em Rendeixo

It hurts to leave a land of Mediterranean blue sunshine

--of Dali, Picasso and flamenco

--of topless sunbathing and gaspatcho.

Spain seeps inside the soul.

Espanya Em Rendeixo.

Aiguablava, Costa Brava

This is another beach near Begur called Aiguablava: calm and beautiful. There was fairly good snorkeling along the right side under the cliff--lots of shells, some sea urchins and fish. The water is cooler than Hawaii so one gets chilled snorkeling for long periods. After staying for many hours we decided to rent a beach umbrella for 7 Euros. No burgers and fries served at the beachside restaurants here. It is always gourmet fair: much seafood, paella, pasta, pizzas and salads. Also there is also always gelatto stands, never ice cream though.

Begur, Costa Brava

The small medieval town of Begur on the Spanish Costa Brava (Mediterranean Coast)--first feudal lord in the written history of the area was in the 11th Century--De Begur. It is a Catalan Mediterranean paradise: narrow, twisting streets leading to the ruins of an 11th C Castell. Pirate towers everywhere--to protect the town's people from attacking pirates and sweeping views of the Med with gorgeous beaches. We may stay for a long while...send the children please :)

What is left of the Castell Begur in the back ground. Napoleon's troops destroyed it in the 18th C.

Begur and a view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Main Cathedral in the town center.

Town center.

Begur police station.

Interior of main cathedral.

Peter on steps of main cathedral.

One of many of Begur's pirate towers. When pirates attacked the village--the residents hid inside and removed the wooden steps behind them in the tower so it made it difficult for pirates to get them.

The short doorways.

Peter just outside our Hotel--Hotel Rosa.

A Begur home on the street as we climb to the Castell.

The oldest Begur church-built in the 11th C and later destroyed and rebuilt.

Begur, Costa Brava, Catalonia. Yes, they speak Catalan here.

View of town center from Castell hill.

Begur and the Mediterranean.

Ruins of De Begur Castell.

Peter and I at De Begur Castell.

Pirate tower above the Mediterranean.

Me at De Begur Castell.

View of Mediterranean from Castell.

Resting in Begur town center.

Peter, dreaming about being a pirate of the Mediterranean....