End of Madrid

This will be the last post on my adventure in Spain with Jess. These are the remaining photos from our last day in Madrid. We were a bit tired of our travels I think or maybe we were just tired of Madrid. Though it had plenty of beauty and options we had mixed feelings about the capital city. After our exploration of Buen Retiro park we debated on what we could do. Deciding we would go to the Prado for their free entrance time from 6-8 pm. We had a bit of time to spare while waiting for 6 to happen so we decided to go to the Caixa Forum Madrid to check out their exhibition on Pixar.  It was only €4 and it was really interesting to read up on the films and animation studio. My favourite thing was the zoetrope that apparently was made by Studio Ghibli for them.

We wandered around the exhibit for a while before checking out the gift shop. Parting ways with the Caixa Forum we headed to the Prado museum and got in line. We arrived early but there was still quite a long line. Regular admission to El Prado is €14 so it is quite a savings though the time period is limited so if you need to have a long look around the art museum I suggest going earlier as it is quite large and has many works of art. 

Jess and I made a game of counting dogs in paintings. I think we got up past 30. Leaving the museum we walked back to our little apartment to spend the rest of the night until we had to wake up early to catch the bus to the airport. We had a bad situation with our Airbnb where our power went out so we lost the lights and the wifi. Jess managed to figure out the breaker in the hall but it was just such an annoyance. It kind of ruined the night for us. Leaving the apartment, he headed through the dark streets of Madrid. People were still out and about at 3 am. Finding the bus, we got on and headed for the airport. Our flights were leaving from two different terminals so we were reluctant to leave each others sides. 

I walked Jess to her area to wait for her to check her bag but the lines did not seem to be moving any. After a long hug goodbye Jess and I parted ways after an amazing two week adventure together in Spain. I headed to my gate, getting a Starbucks and relaxing. My flight would leave Madrid and take me to London where I would catch another train into the city centre and then take the train from London Euston to Liverpool. My journey home was not as long as Jess' but it was an easy one. I had a really great time in Spain with her and her family. I cannot thank her enough for inviting me.

Parque del Buen Retiro

One of my favourite stops in Madrid is Buen Retiro Park. Jess and I stopped here to have a picnic lunch and have a wander through the gardens. The weather was fantastic with blue skies and a bit of cloud.

The park is one of the largest parks in Madrid and originally belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the 19th Century. 

Atocha and it's turtles

Along our walk on our last day in Madrid we stopped in the Atocha Railway station so I could show Jess all the turtles they had. If you're into turtles or like free things I suggest popping into the railway station and having a look.  

The Atocha railway station was the very first train station in Madrid.  The gardens are in the section of the old Atocha station. The added sections to the station make it part of the largest train station in Spain and the whole of it is called Madrid Puerta de Atocha.

 The station itself is quite beautiful but the added touch of having a botanical gardens sets it apart. You could spend quite a lot of time checking out the ponds watching the turtles swim and laze under the lights.

Breakfast and La Reina Sofia

Our morning in Madrid started with lovely blue skies and we went off in search of breakfast before our plan to roam around museums and parks. Not sure what to do for breakfast we walked from our little apartment down Paseo del Prado.

Hola Madrid!

Doesn't this face say 'I'm going to crush Madrid'?  Jess was ready to rumble with the capital of Spain as soon as we got into the city. We had left Jerez that morning, saying farewell to the South and heading into the center of the the country. We also had to say goodbye to Steve, Cindy, Lori and Chico.  It had been nice travelling with them and I would not have had the opportunity to see Cadiz and Jerez the way I did if it had not been for them.