The Pantzers parlay Portugal

June 16: Singapore to Madrid, via Brussels

Very comfortable overnight flight from Singapore had us in Brussels by 7 am. What joy to find some homemade Belgian chocolate by a smiling chocolatier in the airport lounge! Warren and I had chocolate for breakfast; Di had cornflakes ( chocolate and diabetes are not a good combination).

Arrived at our hotel around noon, and managed to get into our rooms.
After a brief refresh, I went for a walk to see my first landmark, the Plaza de Espana where you can find the famous monument to Cervantes and statues of don quixote and sancho panza (almost my namesake)

Very hot…35 degs.

Madrid is a lovely city…. wide tree lined streets, beautiful architecture, lots of statues and fountains.

Founded by Muslims in the 9th century, the city, originally known as Mayrit, was a small but strategically important settlement within the Emirate of Córdoba. It’s the only European capital with Islamic roots. Much of the city’s Islamic heritage has been built over or obscured. You can find the ruins of a 10th century watchtower which is unnoticed and all but forgotten, in a car park one storey underground and kept relatively out of the way. (The Pantzers certainly didn’t find it! )

Madrid became the capital in 1561. It wasn’t chosen for its economic or geographic advantages—it was selected partly because it lacked strong ties to any existing power.

Dinner tonight was just across the road from the hotel (we were too tired to venture any further). Our seafood paella was expertly served so that Warren and I got an equal number of grains!

And the bill came in a wooden box!