Madrid, modern Spain's capital, is and exciting and vibrant city. We explored most of it via the Hop-on-hop-off bus system. Within walking distance of our hotel is the Parque de Buen Retiro, a massive and beautiful park containing, among other things, the Palacio de Cristal, a huge and beautiful glass house (growing pumpkins half a metre in diameter) and an artificial lake big enough to accommodate dozens of rented row boats. We spent several hours at the Museo del Prado, one of the best and most important galleries/museums in the world. It is filled with works by Goya, El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt as well as other famous European artists. The building was used as cavalry barracks for Napoleon's troops during their occupation of Madrid (1808-1813). Next stop was the Palacio Real, the former royal palace built by King Juan Carlos I. It contains 2,800 rooms of which 50 are on show for the public. These are highly ornate and beautifully furnished with original furnishings. As well as the residence, we saw the palace's original pharmacy with fascinating displays of medicine jars, scales and cooking apparatus. There was also a comprehensive display of armoury from the 16th and 17th centuries. The highlight of the palace for John was the display of 2 violins, 1 viola and 2 cellos made by Stradivari between 1696 and 1705. We lunched at Plaza Mayor - a massive town square whose walls are frescoed and where heretics were burned at the stake during the Spanish Inquisition just a few centuries. John managed to make friends with one of the street mimes - Neptune - and we have now made it back to our hotel in the 35 degree heat to shower and prepare for another delicious dinner. Tomorrow - Avila and Segovia.
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