Snapshots from Andalucia

[marlof]

In May of this year I've spent two weeks in Andalucia, the beautiful region in the south of Spain. We stayed near the village of Joya (between Villanueva de la Concepcion and Antequera) in a rural setting. Each morning and evening we were greeted by the sound of the bells on the herd of goats that came passing our building.

http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27831255-M.jpg

Right around the corner was Sierra del Torcal (http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27832534-M.jpg), an area of very nice rock formations. We also visited some places in the area, like Ronda (http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27833316-M.jpg) (one of the white villages Andalucia is known for), Gibraltar (http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27834156-M.jpg), Antequera (http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27835100-M.jpg) and of course had to see some flamenco show (http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27836822-M.jpg) in Sevilla. We just loved walking in these places.

http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27835384-M.jpg

We had a great time, both because of the great landscapes there, but also because the Spanish we met were great people. Although our Spanish is very non-existing and English wasn't always spoken in the villages, they never gave up on trying to explain something to us. Something we flatlanders admired: taking the time to enjoy life in general seems to be in high regard.

http://marlof.smugmug.com/photos/27834915-M.jpg

More images can be found here (http://marlof.smugmug.com/gallery/649670).

[Andy]

marlof, thanks so much for taking these pics, and taking the time to post them, along with all the links :bow lovely gallery, too... i just spend a nice session viewing the rest.

thanks again

[marlof]

Thanks for your nice comments. I was quite sure that this post would get lost in the big Dgrin post drain. I'm not one to bump his own posts, so I just let it go. It was quite nice to see it getting picked up!

[JamesJWeg]

COOL!, Nice shots, I missed this one first time by.

James.

[WaterfallRich]

Sorry I missed them on the 1st go-round also. Enjoyed your gallery also! :thumb

[marlof]

Thank you, James and Rich. These holiday snapshots are always a bit hard: I'd only be in that exact spot, on that exact day, in that exact moment. There's no way to wait for sweet light, since I won't be revisiting that place. There's no way I'd be able to find the best spot to take a picture, since my wife thinks I spend too much time taking pictures during our holidays anyhow. :D

[Dani]

Stunning shots Marlof....

but I'm a bit dissapointed.... not a single shot of those beautiful horses the area is famous for :cry

:rofl :D

fantastic job!!!

[marlof]

horses? i got a zillion goats in the first shot, and you want to see horses? i thought i had paid my due to the animal photographing guild with that one shot, so i could spend my time taking pictures of things i like. and those don't necessarily include horses....:rofl

j/k: we didn't see those fine horses. did smell their relatives though. seville will always be remembered as the Capitol of Horseshit. the horse and wagon rides they offer the tourists, combined with the hot weather over there, make the smells in some areas out of this world.