Madrid+3

=STILL WALKING MADRID= Spent a lazy day strolling the streets – both of us have had a bit of a return of our Morocco bug. Visited Plaza de Espana to see a statue of Don Quixote and Pancho – many “locals” were rubbing his foot for luck we presumed? Nearby is a reconstructed Egyptian temple given to Spain as a tribute to engineers who assisted in the Aswan Dam project – interesting but very hot and stuffy inside!
 * [[image:IMG_6533.jpg caption="Fountain at Plaza de Espana"]] || [[image:IMG_6539.jpg align="center" caption="Don Quizote"]] || [[image:IMG_6540.jpg caption="Templo de Debod"]] ||
 * [[image:IMG_6552.jpg caption="Interesting buildings Gran Via"]] || [[image:IMG_6560.jpg caption="Cured ham anyone?"]] || [[image:IMG_6563.jpg caption="Art work on the buildings Plaza Mayor"]] ||

We wandered down the Gran Via, had a drink in Plaza Mayor and caught the metro “home as we were both quite tired and worn out. A few hours siesta and we were raring to go for the nightlife! A late dinner of squid – they do squid so well here! A small group played whilst a flamenco dancer twirled and spun before we headed for Café Jazz Populart arriving just after 10:30 – we were the only patrons! At 10:50 some of the band arrived and by 11:10, when they started, the place was full and humming! Amazing how everyone seemed to arrive at the same time. The jazz was vibrant, loud and great. Friday - our last full day here in Madrid - a visit to the Museo Thyssen with its great collection of 19th and 20th Century art (OK it did have some earlier ones but we sort of "slid" by them) followed by a walk up to Plaza Santa Anna for a lunch of tapas. Tonight its yet another Jazz Bar within walking distance - its only 8pm now so we won't be going out for dinner until at least 9pm - music starts at 10:30. Tomorrow we're off to Barcelona (and another Jazz Bar near our hotel is pencilled in for a final night) before departing early Sunday for Singapore and home (Tuesday). What a great trip it has been! So many sights, so much to remember! Thank goodness for digital photography as I can take my time to review the 1000's of photos when we return home.