Estacio del Nord, Cuitat de les Artes I les Ciences, Valencia in General

Today was a walk in the park, literally. As I mentioned in a previous post the river is not there anymore. It was diverted after a series of disasterous floods some years ago. The reclaimed river bed has since been devoted to public space by a very forward thinking government one must conclude.

Gullivers park located in the reclaimed river bed is a fantasy come to life for children. There is a gigantic structure of the figure of Gulliver at that point in the story where he is tied to the ground. Cleverly built in are slides and climbs and ropes and cargo nets and all those things kids love the climb and clamber on scattered liberally throughout the structure for them to go exploring, discovering and playing on.

Towards the southern end of the park is cluster of wildly futuristic looking buildings housing displays and exhibitions of the sciences and the arts. Further south again is the Oceanarium, itself a marvel of futuristic architecture and design. These buildings are so way out there they have even been used as location shoots for science fiction movies. And the whole precinct is cleverly unified with the presence of water in large surrounding pools and ponds. It's quite astonishing to see.

You know, some cities just seem the have an instantly recognisable look about them. Paris is certainly one and maybe New York would be another. Well I think we can add Valencia to the list now too. The typical streetscape consists of low rise buildings with tastefully ornamented facades and idyllic little wrought iron balconies. Liberally throw in lots of plazas at the major street intersections, add a fountain, a statue or a monument or two and you are nearly there. Now add in lots of trees and shrubbery, particularly orange trees, enough to give the whole street a scent of orange blossom and you have Valencia. It's an easy city to like.

The Estacio del Nord railway station, fully restored and functional.

Don't you just love they even restored the old fashioned ticket windows?

 The Valencia bull ring.
Not used for bull fights any more but very popular for concerts and festivals.

The children's playground features a giant figure of Gulliver when he was tied to the ground.

There are lots of nooks and crannies and slides and climbs scattered throughout the figure.
The kids have a ball exploring him for new things to do.

Kids of all ages actually.

Having selected a suitable vehicle, Jackie and I set off to intrepidly explore the park.

The river was dammed and redirected after some really disasterous floods.
The reclaimed river bed was then turned into public space.

The Cuitat de les Artes i les Ciences.
An amazing cluster of futuristic buildings and architecture.

The Hemispere, an arts display and exhibition space.

Sciences hall and exhibition building.

Further north in the park is the Palace of Music.

Architectural features are dotted liberally throughout the park.

Flower beds and featured plantings of shrubs and palms.

And lots of orange trees giving a wonderful orange blossom scent wherever you go.

Notice the busy Valencia traffic goes right overhead without disturbing the park's tranquility.

This is a typical street scape in Valencia. 

Beautiful low rise buildings with wrought iron balconies..

  

Here is another typical example.

Motorised foot traffic is so popular it even gets its own crossing space.

Bicycles and these miniature motorised scooters are everywhere.

 They are used by everyone, elegantly dressed young girls, men in jeans and some even in suits.