Madrid.

MIND ALTERING.

Ah Madrid! What an entrance through the airport! Stunning architecture.

After a day's travelling, we dropped our bags off at the lovely hotel and went straight out for food. We found a cute place and ordered Margheritas, mine infiltrated my bloodstream within minutes and I found myself watching the lime slice move around the glass in slow motion, it was miraculous and then I got the giggles. This is how it must feel to be on drugs. So far, so good. Sadly the power went out in our cafe of choice and we had to find somewhere else. We found a cool place with a Mexican vibe, Frida Kahlo and lover on the wall and a wreathed skeleton woman welcoming us in, this all suited my Margherita induced intoxication. The chicken with mole sauce was amazing. And then we were done.

Note: Love travelling with the daughter as she loves an early night after a days travel as much as I do, excellent travelling companion.

We woke early and had the city to ourselves, as Spaniards, like most Europeans, start eating around 10-11 and then need a good sleep in. Plaza Mayor, the 15th century main square is grand and quiet as we make our way through it to find Chocolateria San Gines, Madrid's most famous cafe. It began serving it's hot chocolate and churros combo in 1894 and is open 24 hours a day. Evidently the Spaniards go there around 4-6 am after their night out! The daughter and I will never experience that!

Fortifed by the experience of dipping the crispy churros into the thick hot chocolate, we head off through beautiful parklands to the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro. Built in 1887 for an Exposition of the Philippines, (which was then a Spanish colony), it is made entirely of glass set in an iron framework and decorated with beautiful ceramic details. Situated by a lake, inhabited in large numbers by tortoises sunning themselves in the autumnal sunshine, it's such a beautiful sight. We walk back admiring the stunning architecture and the splashes of colourful street art.

Lunch is at Mercado de San Miguel, a covered market built in 1916. The tapas bars displays of food were works of art as is the architecture. The daughter had to leave to catch a train to meet a friend in Cordoba and I took the occasion of her leaving me as a time to go to a Vermouth bar or Vermuteria where I had a 2.50 euro or around $4 Australian with a plate of free olives.

I spent the afternoon walking through the old city, past restaurants that have been operating in one form or another since the medieval days, interspersed with beautiful ceramic wall scenes. Exhausted I found a tapas place for dinner and then another early night as tomorrow there was another city to explore.