Friday, January 05, 2007

Calpe Beach

So, I promised more photos of Calpe and thought I would share some of my pictures of the beach area. The apartment I was staying in was one of the modern ones built on the beachfront and had an enclosed balcony with a sea view. It was nice to sit here and listen to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore. I did my fair share of walking along the beach though and as ever I took my trusty camera with me. These photos were taken with my new dSLR and Calpe could not have been a nicer place to start practising. The photo above was taken looking back along the beach on such a walk. I had just climbed the steps back up the cliff face to walk back along the top by the houses that looked out to sea.


In these photos you can see the Pinon de Ifach which is the sister rock to the Rock of Gibraltar. It stands prominently at the end of the 13 kilometre stretch of coastline that covers the Calpe region. It towers over the sea to 332 metres, and has now been declared by the government as a nature reserve. You can walk around the base of it and up the side of it to where the rocky part starts. I did both and the walk up it was exhilerating as the view of Calpe below me expanded until I could see the beach below me stretch into the distance and everything became small.

The photo above was taken from the top of the walk up the Pinon before it disappeared into a tunnel through the rock. Apparently a local man who loved to paint (and also had some money) had the tunnel cut so that he could paint the view from the other side of the rock. In the photo you can make out the Marina where there were many boats and yachts and where fishing boats also land fresh fish. There are fish restaurants nearby that line the front so the fish goes from the sea to your plate very quickly!

You can also see the salt lakes behind the beach front apartments and then in the distance you can see Calpe Old Town climbing up the base of the mountains. It is hard to make out but on the beach front near the marina there are also rocky remains of an ancient Roman fish factory cut out of the rocks known as the Queen's Bath (Banys de la Reina). The Romans used to farm the fish in the rocky pools and then use the salt from the lakes to preserve them for food and trade.

The photos above and below were taken during walks back along the beach during sunset. I loved being able to walk along the sand just above the waves and watching the sun drop towards the horizon and turning the sky orange which would change colour as you watched it. When it was time to leave Calpe I felt that I had only started to scratch the surface of this vibrant and cultural town. I am sure I will return to explore it and the surrounding area some more.

24 comments:

Moogie said...

These are beautiful shots!!!!! I'm so glad I stopped by. Michele sent me and I'll be back for more!

Goofy Girl said...

Wow, those are some great beach shots!

utenzi said...

Your increased resolution really became apparent on the shot over the bay, up near the top of the Pinon de lfach. Every time I think of the Rock of Gibraltar I think of how amazing it must have been when that gap first opened and the Med basin began filling. Talk about a HUGE waterfall!

I liked the history you gave of the salt lakes and their role in the economy of the region, B-K. Great post.

Michele sent me over.

rashbre said...

You have some excellent photos here!

kenju said...

A lovely series of photos, Bobkat.Thanks for sharing them.

Melody said...

Oh wow! Amazing photos, very impressive indeed. I bet you couldn't believe that huge rock when you first laid eyes on it hey? Simply jaw dropping. And you climbed it? After being ill and all? Oh wow!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Great photos. That place looks beautiful! :)

Biff Spiffy said...

Sweet!

I need to get out more, if there are things like this in the world.

Well done. Via Michele (she says hi)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photography and masterful picture explanations.

To have been there.....

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Brerathtaking picture my dear BK...That last one??? WOW!!! Nothing like n SLR to catch the moment....! You have such a magnificent eye, my dear! I can see why you would want to go back to this very beautiful town...!

Heidi said...

Dat is absolutely breathtaking!

Carol said...

Glorious these photos are sensational..

Preeti Shenoy said...

Superb photos!!With pictures so good,I wonder if anyone reads what you wrote about them!!Thanks for sharing.Am mailing the link of your blog to my friend who lived in spain--and also linking your blog to mine.

MaR said...

I have never been to this place and love your pictures! you picked up the Catalan names very well, good for you!!!

Pat said...

Hi bob-cat. Great photos. One of my dear old friends - sadly now departed - had an apartment in Calpe and i had a hilarious few days there. BTW Michelle sent me.

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Stunning pictures. You must have a great camera.

Michele sent me.

Unknown said...

Those photo's are fantatsic I shall be back to peruse more ;)

Here via Michele ;)

srp said...

What a gorgeous place to spend Christmas. The photos are lovely. I had to read on down and look at all of them. I hope your new year is as wonderful as you hope for.
Michele sent me.

Fizzy said...

What wonderful wonderful pictures.

kenju said...

I like the first photo, where everything seems to follow the curve of the ocean shore out to the big rock. It's a good perspective. Michele sent me this time.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Michele sent me back to see you this morning, my dear Bob-Kat...That last picture really gets to me....! GORGEOUS!

BTW: I do not have any pictures of that collage I spoke of...I hate that I don't, but it was before I started taking pictures of my things and by the time I wanted to take a picture of it, I wasn't able to....drat!

Gattina said...

This is a standard comment
Still not interested in "CATS ON TUESDAY" ? See the rules

Katherine said...

It's official. I'm insanely jealous.

diyadear said...

The pictures are simply marvellous!! even those in the previous posts..