5 September - Santiago de la Compestela to Madrid and the start of Phase 2

Eric: We bid farewell to Santiago this morning and caught the 9:05 train to Madrid, some 600km away. We were treated to views of the lush green countryside as we left the rain behind, most spectacular being the sight of rolling hills against clear blue sky as our train descended into the underlying mist. Over the next six hours the green gradually shifted back to the parched golden landscape of Castille y León and Madrid.

Taxi to the hotel was a simple affair. You could tell that the Hesperia Madrid was in a different class to our previous hotels; bags promptly snatched from us at the door, champagne available upon arrival (we didnt partake) and the scent of L'eau d'Issey wafting in the lobby not to mention the nespresso machine in the room. I'm unconvinced about the see thru bathroom doors though.

Gin cabinet in the lobby.

 

Late lunch was in hip trendy place with hip trendy young things. Food was a modern take on Spanish dishes and doesn't warrant more detail. Met our tour group this evening and had dinner followed by a night tour of Madrid.

Gran Via by night.

 

Puerta de Alcalá (Alcalá Gate) in Independence Square.

 

Usual Saturday night protests.

 

 

 

Col: Up in the early dark ( in Spain it doesn't get light until 8.30AM!) and wandered down to the train station to catch out fast train to Madrid (we achieved the fastest speed ever sitting down for me of 238 klms per hour!!) The trip was at times tedious but we went through some amazing country. Unfortunately it is difficult to take photos through a moving train window.

Then joined up with our tour group and had some tapas before a night drive through Madrid old city to see the lights. It was incredibly packed and as Eric stated there was a demonstration against the economic conditions in the country. Interestingly it was back in the same area we stayed upon our arrival in Spain a few weeks ago. So a lot of the geography was a little familiar.