Shopping yesterday, hiking today

Yesterday we drove to the mall in Alicante, and while I looked around in the mall, Guillermo took our little cart and walked to Alicante's market.  When he got back, we ate in the mall at a restaurant  that's kind of like Ihop called Vips.  Guillermo said that the walk to the market was a LOT farther than he thought it was going to be.  After we ate, Guillermo bought me a new coat for our anniversary, which is coming up.  We actually stood outside the coat store for a LONG time mulling it over whether we should buy that coat or not, and since the price was good and the coat looked good, he just decided to get it.  Here's hoping it will be a good coat for Sweden and Estonia.

Today, after breakfast, we took a hike to the Tower of the Kings (Torre de los Reixes in Valenciano) which is on a hill close to our house overlooking the Mediterranean.  This watchtower and many others along the Mediterranean coast were built by the Moors more than a thousand years ago.  They were later used by Christian forces to watch for invaders coming from the Mediterranean.  Every time we go into town, we see that tower as a sort of sentinel on the coast and we always say we should try to walk to it.  Well, today we did.  There is supposed to be a well marked trail to the tower, but we didn't find it until after we got to the tower.  So, that tells you we got there by taking the "scenic route".  When we first started out, we thought we were on the trail, but soon figured out if wasn't the "real" trail because it was heading straight up the mountain.  Then, when we get to the top, we had a magnificent view of the Mediterranean, but the tower was still WAY to our right.  We followed the ridge to the right, and when we got close to the tower, we had to walk down some trails that were quite rocky and steep, but doing it slowly we made it.  We definitely were NOT on the right trail, but we got there anyway.  Once at the tower, we rested and sat on the rocks on the cliff and had a little lunch while watching the seagulls and little boats go by.  The trail back was a lot easier because it was the actual marked trail.

Looking towards El Campello and Alicante from the base of the tower.

The water looked so clear and blue down below.

This is where we had our little lunch.

The one opening of the tower faces the sea.

On the way back down the trail, we saw this beautiful Praying Mantis.

Guillermo took some pictures with his camera, but I have forgotten how to work with them.  As soon as I  figure it out, I'll get them on.