Update: 16 June 2008
MADRID and CASTILLE - LA MANCHA
31 May - 08 June 2008
DAY ONE - Madrid
It was a 24-hour journey. 2pm (Malaysian time) check-in on 31 May and
landed in Madrid Barajas Airport at 03:35pm (Malaysian time) on 01
June. A 4-hour plane change between the LCCT and KLIA, saw 3 great
childhood friends (Alex, Joe and Albert) keeping me company, together
with my younger sister, Ann, who happened to fly into KLIA at about the
same time. Short sleep durations and time change took its toll on my
concentration. It did not help that I landed at Terminal 2 for EU
flights rather than the international flight terminal with better
facilities. While purchasing my Madrid metro ticket for 3 days (E9.60)
use, I walked out of the office without my precious laptop bag with all
my documents. It was a wake-up call to concentrate.
Madrid is one of those countries that has an underground railway that
does one connect directly to the main tourist centre. So, still rather
dazed, I had to figure out the best route into the city's hotel/hostal
hub of Puerta del Sol. The fewest line change was THREE. Line 8 (2
stations), then Line 4 (5 stations) and then, finally, Line 1 (15
stations) to Sol station. I boarded the first train at about
10:16am (local time) but was too much in a hurry to remember to check
my arrival time (guesstimate = 45 mins).
You see, I was without reserved accommodation as I was seeking "best
for least". Fatigue got the better of me and I settled on a nice room
with shower and sitting toilet for E47/night, which was average.
Dormitory or simply a room with wash basin was cheaper. But I am
getting too old for students' stuff like queuing for the common toilet,
in the mornings. Problem was it was CASH only. So, I opted for just one
night, saving my precious cash for small buys. I found another with the
same facilities at E50/night but payable with Credit Card. So, this
would be it for the duration in Madrid.
I had thought that on a second visit to a city and in the same
district, I would be fine with directions. No way! The Puerta del Sol
environs was a warren of streets looking like lanes
criss-crossing each other, such that while aiming to go south, you end
up east or west.
My first priority was to contact my two boys and wife plus a friend,
who was in Spain, last week, and I wasn't sure whether was still here.
No gratis internet or otherwise at the Hostal although Internet cafes
abound. But, not when I am using my secure websites. While looking for
Starbucks, which is known to have gratis WiFi, I found MacDonalds. Yes,
30-minutes gratis WiFi but the connection was so poor, I only managed
to call Bibi in Singapore on Skype but not Malaysia. No emails or
websites. Yahoo Messenger refused to connect, too. At least, it cost
just about E5 for the French Fries and Fanta Grape (I think!). In
between, I filled my tummy with 3 tapas (E1.40 each) and a glass of red
wine (E2 per glass). After settling my 2nd night's accommodation,
without realising that it was on the same street as the first, I told
myself I needed sleep. It was 4:30pm local time and the real tapas
crawling has not started.
I set my alarm for tapas time (7pm) but extended my sleep till 9pm (dinner time).
Being around Puerta del Sol, meant that one did not need to walk far
for food. Just around the corner, they were dishing out "prawns in
olive oil, garlic & pimentos", egg omelet and my softspot, pig's
ears on a hot plate, served with salsa (local version of tomato sauce)
and crusty bread. The portion was heavy but nicely tender and still
crunchy, downed with a glass of Rioja Crianza and sucumbed to local
Cerveza (beer on tap). Cost just under E10.
Plaza de Santa Ana was just around the corner and I was looking for
Casa Matute, a tapas bar mentioned in "Spain's New Tapas". If it was
still there, I did not see it after rounding the square THREE times.
One down, 2 to go. These were located at 2 ends of my present position.
Locating my new Hostal took some time,again. Then, went about wandering
the streets, again and made it to Gran Via, the main street of Madrid.
Wandered into an Asturian bar for some Sidra (cider) from that region,
served with a tapas of mussels for E2.50. I need to visit again
................ if I can find it, again. Found a Hot Chocolate Bar,
tucked into a side street for a cuppa of warm thick chocolate sans the
Churros.
It was midnight and time for more shut eye.
DAY TWO - still Madrid
Set the alarm for 8:30am but woke up by 6am. Finally, gave up cheap
internet calling and telephoned the boys, who was creating havoc with
their cousin at my sister-in-law, Ivy's home. I was getting desperate
for a decent internet connection. Anyway, one of priorities first. See
if I could find another of my Tapas Bar on my list. Albur was a good
shot just 3 stops from Sol on Bilbao station. So, with my bags packed
and room keys returned, off I went to find the Bar. It was great, the
road was marked on the signboards on the way out of the station and I
prowled the street, looking for "Albur". 
From one end of the road to
the end, I could not locate it. So, I pulled out my notebook with the
actual address on it ............. and I found it! It was closed but
just a few steps away was "OLE Hostel". I went in to check it out. FREE
broadbank PCs and FREE Wifi. No single rooms but 4 beds to a room,
common bath & toilet. But the internet won me over. I rushed back
for my bags and duly checked-in. While waiting for my bed, I connected
to the internet and chatted with my wife and boys and checked out my
mail. The second good point was the bed costs E18/night, paid with
VISA, leaving my precious CASH to spend on food!
The room was being cleaned, so off I went for lunch. Where else but
Albur. A Mencia Rose, a Rueda Verdejo and a red Mencia de Bierzo. All
served with a plate of Tapas. Additionally, I ordered their Tortilla
Patatas. The bill come up to E7.90. 
My bedfellows soon checked in as I was trying to take my afternoon
siesta. Three kids from 2nd year U in the Midlands, England. A 1st
generation UK-Hong Kong boy with two female fellow students. Nice
enough but they felt the generation gap.
Unable to sleep, I headed back to Puerta del Sol with my camera to
capture some photos and take in more Tapas. I managed to find all the
places I wanted to photograph except for the Asturian bar, where I
wanted to try more of their food. What a pity. My stomach was acting up
and jet lag seem to be catching up, so I headed back for an early night.
DAY THREE - last day in Madrid
I thought I'd spend time looking for something buyable for Bibiana,
Bryan and Daryl. No chance, a small robot toy was E16 and handbags were
going at E60 each at El Corte Ingles, the major hyperstore of Spain.
Lunch was good in the streets off Gran Via, the "Orchard Road" of
Madrid. I loaded up with some Vitamin C from freshly squeezed orange
and a sandwich of nicely marinated and pan-fried fillet of pork. Fresh
orange was stiffly priced at E2.70 but began to feel better. Picked up
a Golden Delicious apple (E0.43), earlier, which helped too. Then, into
another cafe for some Sidra and a plate of Bacalao (salted Cod).
After siesta, I decided to explore the area around the hostel. I
discovered quite a gem of a plaza. Mainly locals and enjoying their
traditional social networking. I walked into Batza, a wine bar without
my camera. A list of wines mostly unknown to me, even an odd region I
have not heard of, too. I started off with a Godello white served with
scrambled egg on a slice of baguette topped with tomato salsa &
lumpfish roe and a generous plate of prawns & mussels bathed in
olive oil and vinegar. The Rias Baixas white blend was served with Tuna
pie and delicious slice of jamon on toast. The final wine was Pelatos
de Bierzo red, which was the only wine I recognised. I asked for their
tortilla and more jamon on toast. That was good for a touchy stomach.
Continuing to wander the area, I came across a bakery serving empenadas
with spinach and cheese and another filled with tuna, served up with
"Cafe con Leche" (coffee with milk). A few doors away, the locals were
selecting their fruits and vegetables from a Vietnamese-owned store. I
joined in for one each of the many peaches and plums to fortify myself.
Time for some news surfing at the hostel and an early night for the
official business, the next day.
DAY FOUR - onward to Don Quixote country (click here)
My early night was interrupted by my 3 roomates returning at 2am. A
typical time to rest for Spain. Good for them! I continued my rest and
woke up early before the alarm bell. Was out of the hostel by 7am and
on the Metro to Barajas airport to meet up with the rest of the
business delegation.