Saturday, January 25, 2020

Day Trip to Huelva and Surrounding Area


Ryan, Angela, Pepe and I took a day trip to the coast around Huelva province and city. Thanks to Ryan for some of the pictures.

Pepe drove and provided a detailed history of the area. We first took a tour of the town Mazagon, along the beach front and the many places Pepe has lived while in his university years. It is beautiful along the beach with cliffs rising above it. 

For me it was a treat to see the ocean again, it's been a while.

Stopped at the University in Huelva to pick up Pepe’s Electrical Engineering degree diploma.

Then on to the goal of the trip, the Christopher Columbus museum and Wharf of the Caravels where the replica ships are docked in Palos de la Frontera. I last visited it in 2014 with Ivan and Bruce. http://bevbrucelexi.blogspot.com/2014/03/sail-boat-trip-with-ivan-and-raul-and.html 
The totem pole carving in front of the museum

The village where they stocked up before leaving.
Stocked and loaded, I doubt they would have had fresh herbs aboard though.
It's a fascinating place and I still can't believe these replica ships were actually sailed in 1992 prior to the Seville Expo.

Lunch at Meson El Lobito in Moguer at a former stables with a wood fired grill they use to cook on. 
The round bits are the bread, tastes wonderful!
Bread is cooked next to the meat served at the table with fresh clove of garlic and olive oil, this bread goes back to the late 15th century and was used on the voyage to the new world. 
Depiction of the oven they cooked the bread on then in the village.
Moguer was established prior to the city of Huelva and held the seat of power based around the ancient church which still stands there (shown in the link for Moguer). Walking around the charming town Pepe told us of the numerous legends depicted in statues of the town, one of the many was the legend of the furry donkey Platero.
Children with the furry donkey statue
Huelva province is strawberry country with kilometres of plastic covered half round tents. Huelva city is very industrial and Pepe spoke at length about the waste products from the chemical mills that are not disposed of in an environmental manner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moguer. This link is information about the Moguer. Next two links are about Huelva. 


All in all a very good day with my three amigos.

Cheers, Bev and Lexi Cat who stayed home