{"id":4652,"date":"2012-06-18T15:32:46","date_gmt":"2012-06-18T19:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=4652"},"modified":"2015-07-02T15:09:56","modified_gmt":"2015-07-02T19:09:56","slug":"day-22-sunday-june-17-calabardina-to-guardamar-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=4652","title":{"rendered":"Day 22, Sunday, June 17 – Calabardina to Cartagena, Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our most gracious hostess, Alica,\"\"<\/a> once again, went out of her way to have breakfast ready for us as the sun rose over the town \"\"<\/a> at 7 am, (an hour early) so we could tackle this blasted mountain in the cool morning air, though it would have been worth the wait and the late start.\u00a0 Besides the delicious caf\u00e9 con leche, orange juice, fabulous granola and yogurt, there was this platter.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

How we went anywhere this stuffed, is beyond me; and to leave this little slice of paradise was difficult.\u00a0 People had been telling us for the last two days that this was a tough mountain with steep grades, so we were anxious to get it behind us.\u00a0 We started on what appeared to be flat roads and still struggled; the sight of others out being active helped to push us along.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These \u201cflat\u201d roads \"\"<\/a> led straight to the mountain we had to climb.\u00a0 It took us an hour to get to the beginning of the climb, covering only six and a half miles.\u00a0 Amazingly, we were able accomplish the 3 mile climb \"\"<\/a> in less than an hour, \"\"<\/a> we were stoked.\"\"<\/a>We would come to curse our mini-celebration at the top of this<\/em> mountain.\u00a0\"\"<\/a> We wound our way down slowly\"\"<\/a> because of the sharp turns, but it allowed us an opportunity for photos \"\"<\/a> of the countryside once again dotted with olive trees.\u00a0 Finally able to see one close enough to check them out,\"\"<\/a> then we noticed trees dripping with olives.<\/p>\n

Round-abouts are a commonplace in Europe and we enjoyed how many were \u2018dressed up\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

About 10 am the light breeze started to gain strength, but once again our constant direction turn kept it from being a continual threat.\u00a0 On our approach to Mazarron we picked up a continuous parade of cars; we\u2019d enjoyed having the roads to ourselves.\u00a0 But they turned to the beach and we headed back into the hills.<\/p>\n

Picked up another mountain climb somewhere before noon, that just would not quit; not sure why no one warned us about this one<\/em>.\u00a0 Had to stop for lunch in the middle of it, just to replenish.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tired and exhausted as we’d given our all in the morning, we only managed one picture.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It took us at least an hour and a half to get to the top. \u00a0We kept looking for our destination in the distance, but to no avail. \u00a0We pedaled hard down the mountain as we really wanted to get checked in and relax. \u00a0Though our gas station stop told us it was less than five miles to the city, it was twelve\u00a0plus<\/em> a flat tire…..which really slows down the momentum.<\/p>\n

Managed to get into the city in time to take in the sights before dinner. \u00a0We stayed right at the port, \"\"<\/a>as there is no beach in Cartagena, \"\"<\/a>unlike it’s Colombian sister city, though here too, the old city is protected by a fort wall. \u00a0There is a huge arsenal\u00a0\"\"<\/a>and a compound wall with “Capitana General” on the doors,\"\"<\/a> but it seemed too large for a residence. \u00a0City Hall\"\"<\/a>was huge and covered in marble, signs of better times. \u00a0There were not a lot of caf\u00e9s along the streets, but plenty of well restored buildings.\"\"<\/a>We managed to find a great street side restaurant for dinner and people watching.\"\"<\/a>And with a French aircraft carrier having just come into port for a one week stay, it was plenty entertaining. \u00a0We had another fabulous plate of paella (we’re 3 for 4), incredible dessert\u00a0\"\"<\/a>(this is one serving) and a delicious toast compliments of the house (thought of you, Justin)\"\"<\/a>Just reward for a long day of mountain climbing.\"\"\n\t\t