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Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Cadaques: Around Town

Cadaques, considered by many to be the highlight of Costa Brava, is a picturesque village that attracted artists the likes of Dali, Picasso, and Miro. We chose Cadaques as a base to walk more sections of the Cami de Ronda. Up until our arrival, I suspected the place to be a tourist trap. Once we got in our ground floor apartment in the heart of the old town, walked around 3-D maze-like old town, on the uneven dry stone pavement, my apprehensions dissipated.

The first evening we happened upon a purple sunset, exactly the kind that could have inspired Dali. We were hooked. Every evening we walked along the bay to the same spot, unfortunately there was never a repeat; nevertheless, I was sufficiently charmed by Cadaques.

View from the bus window on the way from L'Escala to Cadaques.
On the Bus to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Santa Maria Church in Cadaques is a landmark (and the highest point in town). Inside the Atlantes holding up a retablo is something one does not see very often.
Atlantes - Santa Maria de Cadaqués - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Salvador Dali's painting of Saint Maria (2nd below). By chance, I took a photo more or less from the same spot before I saw Dali's painting in his museum in Figueres. And below that a Dali painting with Santa Maria at the fat right.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Salvador Dalí Museum - Figueres, Girona, Catalunya

Salvador Dalí Museum - Figueres, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The view from Santa Maria.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Our apartment was right below Santa Maria. This is the view out our window.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

This "bench" carved into the rocks (and shown on OpenStreetMap) was right outside our door and directly below the church.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The short walk from our apartment down to the bay.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The casino and bar.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The Blue House; an architectural fav for sure.
Casa Azul (Blue House)  - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Casa Azul (Blue House)  - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The sunset our first night was amazing, not only the pink sky, but the memorizing waters as well.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Sunset - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya Video.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Each of the 4 nights we walked over to the same spot near the spiffy Hotel Playa Sol to watch the sunset. And each night we saw the same couple eating takeout on their second floor balcony. Pizza the 1st night, Chinese the second, and so on.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The bay can accommodate many boats. I've seen high season photos when there's a boat at each of the mooring buoys. Even when we were there in May, the waterfront was often busy.
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The 2nd full day, we walked around the small cape.
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

In this photo there's a board sailing class in the foreground and the ferry leaving in the background.
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

We spotted a Subaru Outback almost identical to ours parked across from S’Arenella Island; one of the few Subarus we saw while in Spain.
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

House on the point...
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

...With this view.
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Coast Panorama - Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Development is coming to the north side of the cape.
Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

I'm starting to wilt as we pass this old windmill tower.
Es Molí d'en Gay (Windmill)  - Walking the Cami De Ronda - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Fortunately there's a cold Imperial Stout in my future.
Grynjerdread Imperial Stout -  Krecher Beer - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Another evening stroll to watch the sunset, passing the usual suspects: the plaza, the casino, the not-really pontoon boats, and the humongous mooring stone.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Casino - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Cadaques: Cala Nans & Punta Prima

A second day hike from Cadaques is to the south. The Cadaques tourist office shows two separate routes, one to Cala Nans, and one to Punta Prima. We followed a non-official route connecting the two. All the official trails in Catalunya are superbly maintained. This section of non-official trail was really good too. There were many dry stone structures dotting the place. Maybe the landowner(s) didn't want the masses to trample through.

This is our last walk on Costa Brava. We have enjoyed them all and look forward to hiking many more sections in the future.

Getting started on our walk to the Cala Nans Lighthouse.
Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The view across the water to Casa Azul (Blue House).
Looking across the water to Casa Azul (Blue House) - Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The wind is pushing the fog inland.
Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

We cross Pont des Sortell to check out the small island and its mirador.
Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Salvator Dali was inspired by the view from this spot.
Salvador Dali - Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The fog continues to stream in giving us fabulous views back to Cadaques.
Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

A first glimpse of the Cala Nans Lighthouse; 2kms more to go on the trail which winds around behind a secluded beach.
Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

We take a break at the lighthouse. That's Sun-Ling sitting on the ledge.
Sun-Ling Checks our Route - Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

More expansive views to Cadaques,
Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Instead of doubling back to Cadaques to take the well-marked trail to Punta Prima, we set out along the cliffs following the "goat tracks" on our offline map. ;-)
Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Passing numerous mounds of stone, and one other group of hikers going the opposite direction.
Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Lunch-with-a-view.
Lunch Spot View - Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The cliffs at Punta Prima were colorful, the stone and the sea, with a slightly scary 300+ foot drop.
Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)  to Punta Prima - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

The walk back to Cadaques starts with a long uphill, then an old farmhouse followed by a long downhill partially on a paved road.
Walking from Punta Prima to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse) - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Punta Prima to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Walking from Punta Prima to Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Thanks again to Marc for the Basqueland Zumo Hazy IPA.
Basqueland Zumo Hazy IPA - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Sunset.
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

Every evening we saw this Citroën Ami (parked or parking or unparking) near the town plaza.
Citroën Ami - Cadaqués, Girona, Catalunya

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