Having fun

Here are pics of Russell in the park and the zoo.

As well as sitting on the potty and on the carousel.

Playing at home

After playing at home, it's time for a walk in Ciutadella Parc.

Also, check out these videos when my grandparents (the other set) visit me as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_J8ho_ycUE
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnvSXw5QDp8.

End of trip

This is the small apartment in Seville. Living here made us realise that Barcelona was much more excellent and we couldn't wait to get back.

Russell having his cheese snack. And also speaking a little. See this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCJSZiKD-fg.

At Seville airport, for the flight back.

Shopping in Seville

It's Monday morning and again it's time to satisfy my in-laws sweet tooth again. It's Monday morning ice-cream!!

Going past Plaza San Francisco on the way to the pedestrianised shopping streets

having more sweets at the famous Le Confit patisserie, and Russell is eyeing his share.

Later on, I brought Russell back to sleep. June and her mom continued on to tour the cathedral and to climb up the Giralda.

Seville

This is the reason why Russell was intrigued with this pond..full of hungry fish and ducks.

Russell is trying to feed the ducks and fish.

After that, we had lunch and after his nap, we decided to take a horse carriage ride. It was a one hour ride around most of the interesting sights and quite touristy, but it was more for Russell.

Touring the Alcazar

Wow Russell! Here's another beautiful roof.

Not this time, Dad. I'm bored.

So it's time for a run in the huge Alcazar gardens, and Russell is particularly intrigued with all the water fountains around.

Visiting the Alcazar

The Alcazar was originally a palace-fortress built by the Muslims, and subsequently added on by the Christian kings. It's still a royal palace. Apparently the daughter of the King of Spain married in the Cathedral of Seville and had her wedding reception in the Alcazar. Here we are at the Patio de Leon of the Alcazar, lots of space for Russell to run around again.

Russell showing his appreciation for the ornately designed tiles and roofs.

Going to Sevilla

After Cordoba, it's time for a trip to Sevilla. Once again it's the bullet train. Great for us, it coincided with the 15th year anniversary and it's champagne on the house....or on the train...

Didn't do much on the first day except to check into a quite crappy apartment and doing some basic grocery shopping. The next morning was much better, with great weather, clear and sunny. It was also time for the sweet tooth of grandma to show up - with hot churrios - like you tiao - and chocolate.

Then it's a nice stroll through Jardine de Murillo, which are public gardens outside the Alcazar walls.

And here we are at Plaza de Triunfo, where this is the famous Seville cathedral and the tall Giralda in the background.

Alfresco dining in Cordoba

After shopping the streets of Cordoba, not much admittedly, it's time for a early dinner. It's 6pm and extremely early for dinner for the Spaniards. Actually only the tourists are having meals. Here we are at Plaza Tendillas, which is the main square in Cordoba and we are dining alfresco in an Italian restaurant. I think it's a first for my in-laws and Russell, so they are enjoying it. Russell is quite oblivious to it all.

What he really liked though was the main fountain in the centre of the squre, and kept wanting to dive in.

So we had to 'bribe' him with some gelato...not really, he's just having the cone with the gelato wiped out by his grandma...not the first time she had shown her sweet tooth...

Finishing the Mezquita

After the 2 hour tour within, it's time for lunch. It's time for some nice photos first.

A view outside the Mezquita.

And then great tapas lunch - Andalucian cuisine - like raba de toro, which is oxtail & aubergines covered with fish roe, suckling pig etc. Very yummy especially when teamed up with the local wine Montilla.

Within the Mezquita

Russell was running around so much, we had to take turns looking after him, so that the rest of us can view the interior of the Mezquita. It was quite dark within, so although we took many photos, not many turned out well.

The central portion of the Mezquita that was converted into a church.

We discovered Russell enjoyed architecture as well....actually only the stained glass and ornately decorated roofs. He drew a few inquiring glances when other adults noted he was appreciating the interior as well.

This stained glass near the entrance of the Mezquita was his favourite, and Russell kept returning to point it out to me.