Highlights of trip to Madrid

Went to Madrid last month. It was a wonderful trip. Here are the highlights of the trip:-

1. Flamenco

We went for a flamenco performance and it was probably the main highlight of our visit there. It was truly wonderful When guidebooks say that you have to watch a flamenco performance when in Madrid, they were really stating a fact!

The dancers were wonderful, the costumes were colourful and the music fantastic. But when you put them all together, it was truly awesome. Flamenco at the end of the day comes from the soul - the emotions and passions were evident and it really gave us a taste of Spain!

2. Taking walks at the El Retiro park

We spent a lot of time there. It was a wonderful place to just take long walks. The weather was not too cold and the leaves just changed colours.

3. Having a meal at Plaza Mayor

We had a simple snack of tapas and churros with sangria and chocolate - but what filled us was the atmosphere there. It was so alive and so full of history - we imagined the kind of things that took place at this very square centuries ago.

4. Paella

I LOVE paella!!!!!! Yummy!!!!!!

5. Shopping at the El Rastro

It is said to be the largest market in Europe! It was certainly huge!!!! We found some good deals there. What was impressive was the range of things that were being sold there - and the number of people who were there on that Sunday.

6. Eating delicious roast suckling pig at the oldest restaurant in the world!

Yup, according to the Guiness Book of Records, Botin *is* the oldest restaurant in the world that is still operating - established in 1725!!! Eating there was a wonderful experience - the place really had a nice ambience. The waiter who served us really good and professional!

The pig? The best that i've ever had! Really!!!!! The skin was so crispy and it broke easily and the meat so tender and juicy.

7. Las Ventas

This is the bullfight stadium in Madrid. Unfortunately, we did not get an opportunity to witness an actual bullfight as the season closes during winter.

Still, it was worth our Euro to enter into the stadium and tread where bullfighters only dare to do. It was also a very informative tour - the guide was pretty impressive!

8. The ICERI conference

This was the main reason why we ended up at Madrid (would rather have gone to Barcelona instead). It was quite a good conference - very well run. Food was wonderful! Hehe. But it was most memorable as it was the first time i've presented papers at an international conference - and it went quite well IMHO.

9. Puerto de Sol

This square is always happening!!! So nice to just hang out there.

10. Dia

Nope, i'm not kidding. I stumbled across this local supermarket and found that it was pretty decent. We ended up going there time and time again to buy groceries and food! Cheap and pretty good stuffs!

11. The Royal Palace



To be honest, it wasn't as grand as some other palaces we've been in - but we enjoyed it nonetheless. Some of the rooms were really beautiful - the paintings, the carvings, the wallpapers etc. Too bad we were not allowed to take any pics. But the exterior was beautiful too, especially of the gardens at the back of the palace.

12. Good flight!

Went by KLM. First time we took KLM and we were thoroughly impressed! Good food and comfortable seats with plenty of room! Good quality video screen too! =)

We also stopped by Amsterdam for a short while - it was so nice to see all the X'mas deco up - and we did some really good duty free shopping too!