ANDALUSIA (4/15) - White Villages

Tours like this can be strenuous and demanding. Intense and very challenging as well. Often filled with difficulties. And yet, I always love tours like this . . . – It felt just as paradisiacal the morning after waking up here in this small hotel in Ronda, infused with a friendly family atmosphere. On this sun-drenched morning, beautifully adorned with the song of birds in a delicate way, complemented by good coffee and a delicious breakfast in the presence of my dear companion, it couldn't have been any better.

The following tour on this day was blessed with heights that now seem immeasurable. Yet, it was also marked by a few depths that seem insignificant from today’s perspective. The tour that followed, which led us from Ronda over the pass road of Puerto de Enchinas Borrachas at an altitude of 1000 meters, passed by white villages along the Ruta de los Almoravides down to Gaucin, where, after several photo stops, we then slowly drove down steep hairpin bends into the valley of the Rio Guadiaro, resulting in a half-hour of silence during the drive due to a detour caused by a procession and the resulting disagreement between me and my dear companion. Insignificant causes, such as the question about the detour route to be taken, combined with the nausea-inducing drive over narrow and winding roads, can temporarily dampen the mood.

In Grazalema, however, we have arrived, where fruitful photo opportunities and two huge pieces of cake during the mandatory coffee break in the afternoon boosted the mood significantly. And this in the truest sense: Because the drive up the now even narrower and very winding mountain road to the pass of doves, Puerto de las Palomas at 1157 meters, along with the magnificent view, could instantly make up for all the previous labors and strains of the day.

It seemed that the day's work was done, and it was now 17:00. However, we wanted to take a quick look at Zahara before we began our return journey to Ronda. To check out another white village. Just to briefly explore this very prominent place situated on a rock. My dear companion, however, stubbornly and with much more endurance, led me through the truly sightworthy village. A photo for eternity was taken of me there. And just with her presence, another day of this trip was crowned . . . – Tours like this can be strenuous and demanding. Intense and very challenging as well. Often filled with difficulties. And yet, I always love tours like this .