Andalucia Day 3 : Alhambra, Granada

I've been waiting Alhambra for my whole life. I've been picturing myself wandering and appreciating Alhambra, to witness the Moorish masterpiece, be part of its glory  with him, my husband and my son. Have you ever heard, be careful of what you wish for =)  Alhamdulillah.

Alhambra is located in Granada, on the top of hill of Assabica. Alhambra in Arabic means 'the red', or in complete form was Calat Alhambra  'the red fotress', by which Alhambra is palaces and fortress complex.

on the way to Granada..the Sierra Nevada mountain with snow on top

 the red one, reflect the color of the red clay

Albaycin hills

Alhambra as the most significant and well known Islamic architecture was built for the last King/ Emir of Muslim in Spain from the Nasrid dynasty, Yusuf then Muhammad V the Sultan of Granada in 13th century.  I once had known about Alhambra as a refuge place for the intellectual (muslim intellectual) from Spanish Christian. And here when Queen Isabella 1 came to picture.  To her whom the last Sultan surrendered the Emirate of Granada

I better not to start cerita pasal perang Granada, nanti melencong pula entry hehe. I was truly happy for visiting my dream place. Nevertheless, feeling sadden for what I discovered. I'll tell you later. Anyway, some of the main highlight are the Nasrid palaces, Alcazaba (the fortress), the Partal, the Charles V palace (inserted in Alhambra lepas Christian ambil alih), and the lovely Generalife garden. 

 to the entrance of Nasrid palaces

The Nasrid palaces were divided into three parts; Mexuar, Serallo and Harem. It was here the Sultan, his ministers or member consult on state affair, or anything related.

 felt deja vu when I entered this room..

the interior and exterior wall, decorated with calligraphy..kalimah suci, subhanAllah.

The Serallo as the main resident for emir has rooms surround the Patio of the Myrtles ( Patio de los Arrayanes), the large pool and the very significant view/symbol of Alhambra,

Moving on here is the most famous Court of Lions (Patiio de los Leones) , central fountain which supported by 12 tame-looking lions. HOW I WISH IT IS NOT CLOSED FOR RENOVATION  T_T

this is how it should looks, picture credit to google (taken from my old post)

You must know, in it a poem says ; "Sedikit bicara dan kamu akan menemui kedamaian". WHAT A MAGICAL! I should return here..Aariz please bring mummy here again =(

More photos

 once was the path for Sultan...and Aariz now..

Aariz was amazed by the water. In here you could hear the sounds of water all around. Because the palaces were constructed followed the theme ' paradise on earth'.

reflection, at the Partal

 
The end of Nasrid palaces, the most celebrated palace in Alhambra complex. The other palace found in here is the palace of Charles V, from the holy Roman emperor in 15th century, which was inserted within the Nasrid fortification.
 
 

 dibina di atas keruntuhan dinasti Nasrid

sedih tau cerita dia..if only you want to google..

 
To tell the truth, I'm not that keen for any other place than Nasrid palaces (and the Generalife garden), I guess nothing can  beat the highest of Islamic architecture.
 
 

typical carving at Charles V palace

 

And what I disappointed most here, there was no worship room/surau.. mengingatkan Alhambra once upon a time was tempat Islam kan.. hmmm =( 

 

Now to the Generalife garden (Jennat Al Arif, Garden of Arif). Generalife was the summer palace ( tempat bersuka2 atau istana hinggap) was owned by the Nasrid emir also constructed in 13th century. The origin might have slight redecoration but still best reflects the Persian garden style with long pool and fountains.

 

 

 

 

Alhamdulillah. Alhambra, the magical. Sekali datang, berlalu begitu saja... Rindunya. I'm glad and happy for our Andalucia trip. Next update is Barcelona.  

 

 

let it snow ..let it snow

No snow here in Birmingham, just yet. But Christmas is just around the corner. In my mind snow only comes in Christmas, heh. Snow is a kind of weather, am I right? So it will comes eventually. Tapi christmas tahun ni diramalkan pada suhu 15degree, cukup panas lah tu. Hey, did you know that the christmas tree was originally from egypt? I randomly googled the origin of christmas tree.

Yesterday the sun came out after all. Cantiknya mentari! So we went to bullring (the city centre), joined the crowd and I really didn't plan to buy a new winter jacket but I can't resist houndstooth patent right now, plus at a really bargain price; 7pounds!

I felt so bad for scolding Aariz yesterday =( Aariz nak lari2 sendiri dalam crowd people tu, and he cried..but he ran to me =(  Sorry ok?

Andalucia Day3 : beautiful Benalmadena costa

It is said that Benalmadena was originally an Andalusian fishing village with white washed houses ( remember my entry ; Benalmadena Pueblo ). As the first info I found about this town, the word 'fishing village' indeed made a good impression.

Benalmadena nestled between the town of Torremolinos and Fuengirola. These costal towns located not very far from the city of Malaga. I know the city offers so much attractions; the Picasso museum. Very unlike me, but it wasn't in my list because I wanted to enjoy the beach (I've spent years wondering why people enjoyed beach so much, and now I'm one of those..haishh bestnya tinggal di Malaysia) So during our stay in Benalmadena, there was no day when we didn't play at the beach. Even if we were 2 hours late for our Granada trip =)

 sunrise...taken from our hotel balcony

 my big boy..sudah ber'sunbathing sekarang

 Aariz is enjoying the sand so much that he doesn't care birds anymore =)

 lucky! tapi dia lepaskan balik..

Jangan resah andai ada yg membencimu, kerana masih ramai yg mencintaimu di dunia. Tetapi resahlah andai Allah membencimu, kerana tiada lagi yg mencintaimu di akhirat - Imam al-Ghazali

Aariz goes to school

Daddy got this bob the builder desk and stool for him. He sits, adorably, playing his 'tablet' and done his breakfast here too. He likes it =)