Our original plan for Sunday was to take a guided Jeep tour in and around Ronda, which is one of Spain’s most noteworthy (and largest) hill towns. We received word a day prior that the tour would have to be canceled as the Jeep needed repairs which could not be made until at least Monday.
We used the change of plans as an opportunity to sleep in as long as the kids would let us before checking on the chickens, doing some more laundry, frying eggs for breakfast, and readying ourselves for the short drive to explore the town of Ronda on our own.
Ronda, which can trace its time as a city back to the days of the Roman Empire, straddles the Guadalevin River with three historic bridges connecting the old Moorish town to the comparatively “new” town. The town’s location and surrounding cliffs and canyons made for many photo opportunities.
We parked our car in an underground garage before beginning our self-guided tour of the city. Ronda is recognized as the birthplace of Spanish bullfighting, so we started at the town’s famous arena; while tours are available, we were content to walk by and pose for a photo with the bull statue.
We wandered through some shops and paused at multiple viewpoints to catch the beautiful hillside scenery. After some nuts for the kids and a forgettable stop for donuts, we began the hike downhill toward the Arab baths and Arab bridge, originally constructed when Moors controlled the city in the 1400s. En route, Eilidh received a tube feed next to an old mosque-turned-chapel, and both of the girls befriended a neighborhood cat.
Noah was excited to have some more pistachios; Emmie picked out some marcona almonds after liking a sample.
We grabbed a few photos on the bridge, with the newer “Old Bridge” visible in the background, then headed to explore the Arab baths. Located halfway underground to provide a constant cool temperature, the baths consisted of a large room with multiple arches and an elaborate steam-heating system to warm the water. In ancient days, visitors would have bathed prior to entering the city, and the residents would have used these facilities in their usual bathing routines.
Emmie enjoyed her time inside the Arab baths.
We made the steep uphill return walk for lunch at the Rick Steves-recommended Taberna El Almacén for a meal of modern Spanish tapas. Not only did the lunch stop provide a welcome retreat from the heat, but we enjoyed sharing a great variety of food, from croquettes to cod bites to octopus mashed potatoes.
Gee Gee let Noah use her Fitbit for the day, and had a great time keeping an eye on his progress. He ended up climbing roughly 25 flights of stairs and walking close to 9,000 steps during our time in Ronda.
The Russian salad, like a potato salad with tuna; it was the first tapa delivered to our table, and a hit with the adults!
Noah happily eats a ham and cheese croquette.
Brian tries a bite of the octopus mashed potatoes.
Gee Gee and I pose with the pork cheek and potatoes; Brian enjoyed but it was not our favorite.
We browsed at a few final shops and made a stop for ice cream before retreating to the car to return home. Brian, Eilidh, GeeGee, and I snuck in afternoon naps while Emmie and Noah loudly took turns watching each other play Minecraft on the iPad. Brian and the kids and I spent some time in the pool as GeeGee used the opportunity for a needed break from the usual commotion.
Eilidh loved ringing the cowbell in front of the cute Ale-Hop variety store in downtown Ronda.
The strawberry sherbet was so good, Brian had a second bowl.
Brian and Emmie made a trip to the town’s gas station for fresh-baked bread, Coke, and Cheetos to round out another healthy outdoor dinner, followed by baths and bedtime for all.
