Scarlet and I were able to visit Auntie Tina in Madrid. Lucky for us, Tina has lived in Madrid and is an expert guide. We spent 5 days total, flying in Friday afternoon and leaving Monday early evening. Lots of time for food, food, and more food!
Tina helped us pick out a great spot for our AirBnB, right in the middle of everything, right next to Paza Santa Anna.
First thing we spotted was a sign next to our apartment with Dr. Jose Rizal, a revolutionary for the Philippines. Apparently, he did a lot of his writing when he lived in Spain.
We immediately started eating. This is at Ginger, and we had eggplant, salad, and a pesto salad. Tina told us that Filipinos come to the Philippines to be nannies, waitresses, and also chefs.
The way Spain works is you eat a late lunch, then a snack (merienda), then rest (because it's super hot), and then take a walk and then eat again. Friday night we walked through Plaza Mayor and Mercado San Miguel.
Scarlet created a planning book for Kuya on what we can do for his next birthday (in March) which included pinatas, movie night, sleepover, and cooking pizza.
We woke up Saturday and immediately started eating - churros and chocolate!
This is at San Gines, famous for their chocolate.
Next to San Gines is an old outdoor bookshop.
This is a compass, and here we are at Alicante, which is where Tina will move after her short time in Madrid.
Scarlet loved these big metal balls to jump on.
We headed to Retiro Park, passing by the entrance to the park (Puerta de Alcala), already sweating. But it's hard to feel bad when you've got this poor guy stuck in here in the hot sun for hours.
Natasha and her mom Lucille joined us just in time for a photo.
Tina and Lucille took a siesta while I took the kids on the Lake for some rowing.
Celebrating our rowing with some popsicles.
Already best friends. Now we are headed to...
Eat of course! This time we are headed to a Spanish spot that specializes in Filipino vegetarian paella and Filipino food. Scarlet wanted the red curry and Filipino soft lumpia.
We took a short rest and then headed out for dinner! We had this amazing tofu with mushrooms at a Chinese spot next door. It was so good we headed there twice in a row.
On Sunday we headed to breakfast at La Mallorquina, famous for their pastries.
We had a hard time deciding what to order... So we ordered all of these plus some!
Stopping by the Royal Palace (Palacio Real). Tina told us it has over 3,000 rooms!
Catedral al Mudena (patron saint of Madrid). Also the Cathedral for weddings, baptims, etc.
The Royal Gardens (Sabatini Gardens) with mazes.
I had Scarlet climb tons of trees to get her energy out.
Stopping by a park - to get more energy out.
Cervantes and Don Quixote behind us.
What to do when you're hella hot? Why... take the bus! It's free and you get a tour of the city too!
Puerta de Toledo. Tina told us that Madrid (capital) used to have a wall built around it with doors in and out of the city. Like this one.
Stopping by - to eat! of course. 100 Montaditos specializes in little bites (sandwiches, fries, olives, lots of delicious fried things, salads) for just 1 or 2 euros (what?!).
This was on the way to ... more food. This time at Pinoy sizzling and BBQ.
We had pancit, lumpia, and more Filipino food.
Scarlet tying a friendship bracelet around Natasha's wrist.
Of course it wouldn't be complete without halo halo.
Check out these fancy water fountains. Tap water is free, safe, and delicious!
We missed out on Museo Prado, but Scarlet caught a butterfly by hand!
Stopping by the Botanical Gardens.
So sad to say goodbye. But not goodbye. Instead, see you later!
Breakfast with croissants and pan de chocolate. Healthy - ish?
Reina Sofia museum with Picasso, Miro, and Dali.
Thanks to Tina for being a kind host to our visit to Madrid!
