Valencia, Spain - Peniscola, Part 1

I already know that this will be a mulipost recounting as I took so many pictures and it was such a lovely and fun day. The drive was about an hour and a half, through a different landscape. We have been on the fertile plain along the coast but this took us through the foothills; valleys, steep cliffs, mountain top castles, olive groves and vineyards. We decided to park by the beach as there was lots of parking there and I didn't want to have to deal with any narrow or one way streets.

How many tourists does it take to figure out the parking machine?

 

Fi got it figured out just as a passerby told us we didn't need to pay (winter rules I think). 

First stop was a beach side cafe for washroom, coffee and cake.

Then a walk on the beach.

Hotels and houses climbing the hill on one side of the cove

and the old town, topped by the castle on the other side.

Through the little port that was mostly fishing boats and some pleasure.

To the tidal pool where boats used to be able to 

get right up to the walls.

Cormorant,

Moorhen and

a Little Bittern.

Then up on to the harbour walls to 

check out the views.

Then up into the castle. There was a couple of tour buses in the parking lot so it was quite busy at the start of our visit.

Everything was so darn photogenic

everywhere we turned

was

a photo

waiting to be taken.

Also musicians taking advantage of the rock and building acoustics.

Restaurants, with views, waiting

to welcome the influx.

Also waiting,

some of the biggest Sea Gulls I have ever seen.

End of Part 1.