Spain, Málaga - Food (Part 5 of 5)

A typical grocery store in Spain

(this reminds me of the grocery shops at the market places in Singapore!)

Menu board at Puerto Marina

I'll cut to the chase and go straight to the FOOD!

Tuna Salad

(ok, I admit, there's nothing special about this...but it's still food isn't it??)

My cold and soggy turkey sandwich to feed my famished tummy

White bread and bread sticks
(no, they don't eat dark breads like the Austrians and yes, that's Inma's finger trying to pass off as a bread stick!)

Deep-fried Pork Cutlets

(Schnitzel in German-speaking countries, Fried Pork Chop for Singaporeans!)

Looks like curry puff? Yes! But without the curry and the crispy skin! Old Chang Kee is still the best!

White Wine Sphagetti with Prawns

(it's here for the record that it doesn't taste good at all!!)

Chinese Stir-fried Vegetables with Meat

(tastes okay, but can be better)

Tortilla Española

(also known as Spanish Omelette which is a mix of egg and potatoes)

Porra Antequerana

(a cold tomato-based tapas dish which is eaten on its own or together with bread)

Pisto Manshego
(a warm tomato-based tapas dip which I prefer to Porra Antequerana)

Sopa de Albóndigas

(Meatball with soup and if you like, you can throw in a couple of fries...just for the fun of it!)

Almejas Salteadas

(clams cooked with garlic in white wine - my absolute favourite!)

Espeto de Sardinas

(the popular BBQ sardines skewered on sticks!)

Gambas al Pil-Pil

(fresh shrimps cooked in oil - sounds fattening at the first mention but absolutely delicious!)

Jibia a la Plancha

(not really sure what it was but was told that it's something bigger than a squid, smaller than an octopus...hmmm...but it tastes like squid to me)

Pipirrana

(a cold tapas salad dish with lots of tomato, paprika, onions and crabstick cubes)

Tortilla de Camarones

(this is exactly deep-fried 虾饼!)

Pincho de Gambas

(just grilled shrimps on a stick...a bit on the tough side though)

Berenjenas Fritas Con Miel

(thinly sliced brinja a.k.a eggplants, deep fried and drizzled with honey...nice!)

Croquetas

(a.k.a croquettes made up of mashed potatoes and minced meat)

Jamón Serrano & Caña de lomo

Revuelto de Judias

(fried eggs with paprika and potatoes...and maybe onions)

Uva Moscatel

(an extremely sweet type of grapes used to produce wine, raisins or simply table grapes. In the photo, on the same bunch, you can see the darker raisins and the lightly grapes!)

Paella de Marisco
(Ta-Dah! Presenting the grand finale -The National Dish of Spain!)

Spain, Málaga - El Palo (Part 4 of 5)

El Palo is a typical fishermen's village to the east of the city of Málaga and apparently, it is THE place to go if you want to try the local specialty, Espeto, which are essentially fishes skewered on bamboo sticks and cooked over a roaring fire!

Walking leisurely through the village, the long stretch of cafés, restaurants and the ocassional fishermen's huts borders the seafront on one side while the other side offers an expansive view of the Mediterranean Sea.

I would strongly recommend to take a stroll along the beach with the lovely sunset before settling in for a sumptuous seafood dinner and finally finishing the wonderful evening by washing everything down with some drinks at a pub and watching the tiny village come alive!

Spain, Granada - Alhambra (Part 3 of 5)

Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace located in the province of Granada, is the most visited monument in Spain.

By far, it is the best well-preserved palace I have visited. The exquisite craftsmanship of the muslim artists could be found throughout Alhambra with its elaborate and deep engravings in the giant slabs of marbles.

Most part of Alhambra are heavily drenched in Islamic culture, including the craft souvenirs that are on sale. So naturally, it was rather unusual to spot the Roman Palace of Charles V situated in the midst.

The fortress was constructed out of red clay and gave it it's present name of Alhambra - literally translated to mean "red fortress". The fortress and the surrounding town are built on a hilly terrace which somehow reminded me of the dessert. So when I was walking through the extensive gardens, water fountains and ponds, it's was as if I discovered the oasis!

I find it to be such a pity that the great palace is rather bare, unlike the Schloß Schönbrunn in Vienna which is very richly furnished. Otherwise, it could truly be the most magnificient monument in Europe!

With little time left before the last bus departs for Málaga, I left Granada with an intriguing impression of the town with it's stone-cobbled long winding alleys which I'll surely be back to explore!

Spain, Málaga - Puerto Marina (Part 2 of 5)

It is quite impossible for any one place to remind me of a number of different places.

Firstly, it reminded me very much of Venice, with it's many footbridges connecting the islands.

Secondly, Boat Quay, with it's numerous pubs at night.

Thirdly, Sentosa Cove, with the private yachts docked right next to the apartments of the rich and possibly famous.

Lastly, the architectural styles of the apartments simply transported me to the fairytale world of "Aladdin and The Magic Lamp".

And mind you, they have the neatest arranged beach I have ever seen. Not a single beach chair or umbrella is out of alignment!

Spain, Málaga - City Centre (Part 1 of 5)

This was my first visit to Spain, to a seaside province located on the Costa del Sol above the Mediterranean Sea - Málaga.
The city centre lies just a few metres to the sea and this provided an alternative view compared to the rows of shops lined along the pedestrian-only walkway.

There are the familiar Spanish brands of Zara, Pull and Bear, Mango, Women'secret...etc to send most women into a shopping frenzy. I was lucky to be there just in time to enjoy the last day of some discount season (similar to the GSS in Singapore I guess) and even so, I noticed on the price tags of some clothings that there are different prices in Euros depending on the country of sale within EU. The discount varied from a mere €1 to €3 but it still gave me a feel-good factor to just shop there!

The Cathedral of Málaga could be easily located by following its high tower which peeked out from the nearby buildings. The cathedral would have looked symmetrical from the front view if not for a half-completed tower on its right due to the lack of fund. As a result, this gave rise to its alternative reference as "La Manquita", loosely interpreted as the "one-armed woman".

Málaga is also known as the birthplace of Pablo Ruiz Picasso. His birthplace, at No. 36 Plaza de la Merced (now No. 15) has been transformed into the Picasso Foundation, a museum exhibiting the recreation of the 19th Century living quarters, collection of art works from the famous artist, himself, as well as by more than 200 different artisits. A beautiful quote from the museum's brochure I found to be rather captivating:

"From a white father was I born and from a little glassful of Andalusian life. Born was I from a mother the daughter of a daughter aged fifteen and born in Málaga in the district of Percheles that handsome bull which endangered this face of mine crowned with jasmine"

Pablo Ruiz Picasso

The bull fighting stadium is located just a few kilometres from the city centre. As I couldn't bear to witness this bloody sport, it was a much better option for me to see the stadium atop a nearby hill.
Also located on the edge of the city centre is the Alcazaba, which is the best preserved Moorish fortification in Spain. Unfortunately, during my visit, the ruins of a Roman theatre dating to the 2nd Century just next to the entrance of the Alcazaba was undergoing some restoration work and I could only peak through the barricade.

It was quite an experience and a form of relaxation for me to just wander the streets. If not shopping, people could be found sitting in cafes, resting their feet by the fountain, nobody would stop you even if you were to wander into a shop just to marvel at the wine barrels signed by famous personalities, the snaking alleys with the typical spanish balconies lining the buildings and the late diners flooding the restaurants even in the wee hours of the night.

*七十岁大寿*

Bon Bon, the Great White Maltese, celebrated her 10th birthday on the 28th of August 2009!
May she remain as healthy and happy for many more years to come!

Yummy fruit cake proudly sponsored by Lawrence & Amy!