Malaga, Granada and end of tour.

Our morroccan adventure ended in Fez. Tuesday we arose at 0500 hrs to drive 6 hours back to Tangier to catch our ferry at 1300hrs to cross the straight of Gilbraltar and land in Tarifa. We arrived in Tarifa at 12md  with a police escort, to get through customs and board the ferry. The tour group witnessed a  bit of excitement, just before we were getting of the coach, a morroccan youth tried to get under the bus to try to defect to Spain,that is the reason why we had a police escort to the ferry. On arrival into Taifa, we all disembarked, boarded the coach and drove another 2 1/2 hrs to Malaga, south of Spain, on the way we saw the island of Gilbratar.

Gilbraltar is an island shaped like a woman lying down and is under British rule, much to the disgust of Spain. Gilbratar is a well known tourist destination. Apparently only has one street of duty free shopping and not much else.

On arrival into Malagar in the south of Spain, we booked into hotel and went for a walk to the local shopping mall, after a bite to eat, time to shop.

Bought a couple of cushions, removed the stuffing to debulk, just loved this little shop.

Wednesday, we had a short drive to Granada and the Alhambra Palace, a few tour members opted to stay and go to the hotel, feeling unwell due to morroccan belly.

We spent 31/2 hrs in the Alhambra palace, the design was moorish and quite elaborate, apparently they get 7,000 people visiting daily.

Front entry to the great hall.

Inside the great hall.

Moorish tile design

Reflection pool

Lion fountain in the harem quarters.

Great gardens 

Fantastic view

The Alhambra place was one of the nicest that we have visited on this trip.

In the afternoon we went up to the top of the hill, quite an adventure catching the little minibus and jamming in 30 tourists, the view was amazing and we could see the Alhambra Palce from the top.

We also visited the St Nicholas church.

After our visit we all walked down the hill to the Main Street and perused the shops

Did some morroccan shopping at morroccan stores in Spain. Still could bargain...

More flamenco from street performers.

Icon...donkey and farmer.

Thursday we drove back to Madrid arrived early afternoon and had a farewell tapas dinner in the Plazsa Mayor

This ends our epic journey will be flying to Abu Dhabi for three days then homeward bound, back to reality. Our bucket  list has been shortened after this holiday, now to plan for our next. I cannot believe how time has flown, six months ago I had three trips being planned at once, now all completed.

Feeling grateful. Adios!

Houston Quilt Festival

The day has arrived, after a 15 hour flight we arrived into Houston at 6.30 pm, booked into our hotel, had drinks, dinner and bed. Up bright and early on Thursday, first day for show to open. Brekkie with hubby, then show time, 8 hours later, shopping, chatting and feeling totally exhausted, I ventured back to hotel to see what DH had got up to!!, Rest and relaxation...very smart. Friday I did it all again, this time I first looked at the quilts, there is over 500 quilts on display and all are amazing. A collection of red and white quilts have been selected from all over the world to celebrate the Houston quilt show's ruby anniversary.

As there were so many quilts on display, I have posted photos of the winners as well as some that blew me away with their pure creativity and beauty. Enjoy the peruse !

The overall winner, what amazing work! Featured below is the quilter, $10,000 prize.

Information about the winning quilt below.

The creation below was done by David Taylor, Colorado.

Below a winner from Brazil.

The quilt framed below is an amazing piece of ingenuity, look straight on you see Oprah, to the left, Jackie Onasis and to the right Mother Theresa, only a third prize!

A great display of red and white quilts.

A red and white "Dear Jane"

Dresden plates.

Gorgeous and intricate work from Japan. Aki Sakai, Hachioji, Tokyo.

Mosaic tiles

A close up of the tiny squares, that completed this quilt.

Another amazing quilt made by Cherrie Hampton, Oklahoma, she has incorporated real bison hair into the quilt. The bison was pushing through snow, depicted from a photograph.

Carolyn Konig, a fellow Aussie with Ricky Tims, great to have a chat and see Carolyn's new quilt finished. 

At the end of day 2 at the quilt show, being 31st October and Halloween there were some colourful characters about.

Fellow Aussies also at the quilt show with their stand, Miss Rose and Sister Violet, all dressed up for Halloween.

As guest at the Sam Houston hotel we were invited to their Halloween party, a great time had by all! Some wonderful costumes, nothing like being in America for Halloween.

DH made a new friend!

that's it for Houston, off to San Antonio!

End of a journey, Dubai then the green green grass of home!

After our little foray into Athens and the Greek Islands, it is time to fly to Dubai for a few days, to have our desert adventure, city tour and to celebrate another birthday. Birthdays do seem to be coming a lot quicker these days. The flight from Athens to Dubai took 4 hours, we arrived late evening, checked into our hotel and was ready after a good nights sleep for the next day to sightsee. You can imagine how delighted I was to find a 24 hour department store, within walking distance of our hotel. First task, shopping to get some gifts for the family, managed to do a little shopping whilst travelling, but also mindful of what we had to lug around for 6 weeks.

My first purchase a camel, I know a souvenir, but what the heck if you cannot buy fabric you may as well get something useless!.

Shopping is not DH favourite time, but as I was on a mission, what could he do......but follow.

In the afternoon was our desert safari, apparently, this is a popular tourist attraction. we were picked up at 4 pm, did I. Mention that it was 40 degrees plus.

Proceeded to drive out to the desert and do burn outs on the sand dunes, not sure who's idea this was, but here goes, not for the faint hearted or if you have a back injury. First stop was a pith stop ( loo break) and to let air out of the tyres, before driving over the sand 

All the 4 wheel drives involved in the sand duning.

Sunset in the desert, did I mention the heat!!! Now cooling to 38 degrees!

After the sand dunes were shattered, we were then ferried to our dinner in a Bedouin.

On offer were camel rides, quad bikes and henna tattoos.

As my back was slightly tender after the sand duning, I declined the camel and quad bike ride.

Of course always up for a henna tattoo, DH also got one surprise, surprise !!

During dinner we were also entertained by a belly dancer and a Tamuoro dancer.

We were picked up the next morning for our city tour. First stop was Dubai Creek and the ever expanding skyline of downtown Dubai. Al Seef marina.

On this tour we also had the opportunity to visit the Dubai museum, located in an old fort, this museum depicted the past and now future of Dubai, a delight to visit.

As the most of the museum is located underground, you had to walk down a circular path.

Some of the displays, describing dress, culture and religion.

Display of some early jewellery worn by the women.

Bodies entombed and laid in a fetal position.

In Dubai there is a mosque located every 500 metres.

Below is the Burj Al Arab, we did not enter this building.

Atlantis the Palm, lovely hotel along the beachfront.

Downtown Dubai, a new twisted building being built.

Burj Khalifa, an amazing building with 162 floors, we reached the top in 15 seconds. Dined on the 122nd floor for my birthday.

Dubai Mall, ice rink, waterfalls and aquariums, great shopping as well.

Part of the old Dubai mall.

Aquarium in Dubai Mall.

Waterfall.

And a very Happy Birthday to me on the 24th June.

This post has been delayed due to fatigue and trying to recover from jetlag, after  6 days at home finally sleeping through the night, now to get to task and dedicate some energy to our inaugural quilt show in September.