Miraculous End to Road Trip from Granada to Seville
It was one hectic sight seeing of Granada which started at 6.30 in the morning and went on non stop till 8.30 in the evening. The next night halt was planned at Seville which is 250kms west of Granada. Google maps showed estimated time of travel from Granada to Seville by road as 2 h 39mins. The spirits were high after the memorable tour of Alhambra and we thought we would be able to complete the journey; we weren’t aware then the tensed ending the journey would have.
Granada to Seville by Road
The journey starts…
At 8.30 when we started our journey by road, the sky still looked bright and sun was quite above the horizon. I was excited about the photography opportunity I would get of setting sun, hubby dear thought on different lines and wanted to make most use of sunlight time for the drive. But the final part of Sun’s exit was very fast. By 9 the sun had set and by 9.30pm darkness ruled.
So far so good, we didn’t realize the restaurants would pull down shutters so fast. At around 10 we decided to have dinner, but we went on and on with no success of finding a place to have dinner and not snacks. Finally around 10.30 we spotted a taverna and we got some awesome delicious stuff. We were their last customer for the night.
A Confused GPS
Rest well taken at this brief halt, next part of the drive was planned to be taken uninterrupted. By 11.30 our GPS had guided us correctly to Seville and we were almost near our hotel, but for the remaining 1km the GPS looked confused. With so many lanes and narrow by lanes the approach to hotel seemed impossible. It was almost 12 and all the streets were deserted, not a single policeman too in sight. We were totally clueless what to do. The kids were fast asleep and finally at a distance of 700m we decided to venture out on foot. Again not a single soul, whom to ask for directions, out of desperation we rang the hotel guys. Though they were keen to help they couldn’t figure out where we were stranded.
2 Angels
Suddenly I saw 2 women emerge out of nowhere. I ran towards them with big hopes when they told me they themselves were tourists. Oh! I was very disappointed; I was still clutching the hotel reservation confirmation sheet, one of them asked to see it. The hotel address had the details of street. The lady had a detailed map of Seville in her mobile and on feeding the address she directed us to the correct lane. It was hardly 250 m from where we were standing. Whew! I thanked them with so many words so many times; she was like an angel for me then. By the time we got the suitcases down both of them had vanished. I hadn’t even asked her name, I regretted.
It was almost 1 when we hit bed that night!
Map of Granada to Seville by road.
I love Seville as it very beautiful part of Spain. But I went Seville through train and not by road. Though rail journey has beautiful locations in between, but this road trip looks beautiful. The most beneficial part of road trip is that, we can stop over to take pictures of interiors and interact with local crowd. After a confused GPS, it is good that two ladies helped you in pointing out your destination in the form of angel. Loved the windmill shot!
Very fortunate to have run into a couple of others – even if they were tourists! Nothing worse than arriving late at night in a foreign place and not being able to find your hotel. It’s bad enough in daylight when that happens! Glad you found your accommodation in the end. All part of the adventure!
Yikes! How frustrating that must have been, to be so close and yet feel so far. Those women truly were like angels. I’m so glad you guys were able to make it to your hotel safely! I had similar experiences in Germany years ago when I had to use a paper map. It can be very scary!
I’m so glad you guys finally made it! Sounds like a rough night and could have been very worrying. A 1 am bedtime would be so late for me but at least you got there safe and sound.
A Confused GPS? Well, that has happened to me a lot. Almost in all the continents that I have been too. You were lucky that it happened at the last leg and you had 2 angels to guide you. All is well that ends well.
I hate it when the GPS decides to have its mood. It has caused me a lot of heartaches. There was this one time where we kept circling the place at least thrice before someone pointed out the right direction to us.Just like your angels. And like you, we were so shocked to see that it was just 100 m from where we were standing. However, these incidents make the journey so worthwhile for they give you memories to cherish.
It seemed like a long hectic day for you but the end was actually miraculous. Such tiny gestures and strangers make your travel stories so interesting. Nice pictures.
It is adventures like these that add spice to travel. Of course, at that time they seem overwhelming sometimes, but in retrospect, the times look different. It is always amazing that in this kind of situations there is always a good Samaritan and an act of kindness. Have been through similar situations too and always there is something positive which enhances the belief of the goodness of the world.
Sometimes during travel things unexpected happen and this will test your limits and your ability on survival. Glad these two angels helped you, they are good samaritan. It is also gave you a good memory maoing your trip most fun and unforgettable.
It can be so aggravating when the GPS doesn’t come through. We have had this happen numerous times and sometimes have even had to double back twenty minutes. Good thing the nice ladies helped you out though.
Sounds like you still had a great trip, because everyone was still in high spirits. I am so glad that you managed to find some locals who could kindly assist you because of your confused GPS. I sometimes find that the GPS softwares are not always updated as frequently and so when new roads are built, it is not always updated. Totally bringing a physical map next time I do a road trip.
Thank you for sharing this report of your adventure – glad it turned out well. It remind me to always have a physical map and not rely solely on GPS. It’s always good to hear when strangers are willing to help others.
Loved reading it all over again ! 🙂 Travel makes you believe in the kindness of strangers… ah my series on the same topic 🙂
Sunset pics are fabulous.
Seems like quite an adventure! I’ve been contemplating a road trip through Spain, but this makes me a little nervous! Glad to hear that people are willing to help though, and very happy to hear you made it safely!
What an interesting road trip indeed! Road trips are fun, but drawbacks like this can be unnerving. Good to know two women helped you. Too bad though that you weren’t able to get their names..
Lovely shots and what an adventure!
Wow you guys got lucky to find a restaurant open that late and then to run into those women w a Map to help. So glad it all worked out. Hope you enjoyed your time in Granada.
Offline Maps, a must have then!!
Nice clicks ! Those ladies were really angels were'nt they !
long drive.. but when you can see all amazing things.. then every kind problems can be endured…. I know you enjoyed your long exhausted trip
Long drives in a new country is always fun, I always prefer road journeys as you get a beautiful opportunity to see the place from a different perspective. Loved the photographs and your narration.
Travel makes you believe in the kindness of strangers…
And that second picture is a masterpiece.
Great Photography, Wind Mills and awesome background
Wow! Wonderful description of the road trip and adventurous one.The pictures are breathtaking especially the 1st one.
Wow! absolutely awestruck by the beautiful pictures! 🙂
I am so glad the "angel" showed up and directed you to your hotel and then disappeared. 1 A.M. to hit the hay is late but you were safe and sound. YEA! Thanks for posting the map. It helped me realize where you are and how far you traveled. Such a lucky person to be on a road trip. I love them but am always glad to return to home sweet home.
JM, IL-U.S.A.
Beautiful pictures. Spain has a special place in my heart 🙂 Thinking of 'The Barber of Seville' 🙂
Beautiful images as always, the windmills particularly.
Outstanding photos and wonderful narrative Indrani. I enjoyed reading your post very much, thank you.
Good that you got the timely help! The sunset shot is gorgeous.
I could understand how troublesome it should be even finding a place through GPS at well known location is difficult sometime. Glad the couple of women show up with detail maps. This reminds me how once we wandered at midnight in Tirumala Tirupati seeking our room among many lanes of similar rooms provided by the temple authorities.
Superb shot! What is those shrub planted throughout the hills?
Wonderful pictures. That must have been quite a journey.
I saw a lot about road and nature of Europe in movies only and now can read about in your posts . Enjoying and interesting .
That is a lovely road trip! Loved the images too.
Good that you had someone to helf adn these are gorgeous sunset shots.
It is heartening to view such bright well composed images. Road trips are always exciting!
Nicely written Indrani..
Road trips are fun as long as directions are clear and the roads are not entirely desolate … The first two shots are breathtaking !! Beautiful 🙂
Wow – gorgeous orange sky!
That is such a beautiful shot of the sunset. Great post Indrani 🙂
Wow, what an adventure! Glad it had a happy ending! Beautiful sky shots.
beautiful sunset…
Such beautiful pictures & you helped with directions so well 🙂
This is what makes travel an adventure!! Wonderful reading!
Sunset pics are awesome !
Beautiful pics. Thriller with a happy ending 🙂
The hills dotted with plants, the wind mills and the sunset look amazing. Lovely shots Indrani.
Road trip are always fun and I can see that masti in your post too.. Google maps are life savior these days 🙂
Road trips are so awesome, especially in Europe..
loved the sky pictures… 🙂
Human intervention when GPS goes bonkers is a great feeling.
GPS have made me walk over closed-to-public bridges, carrying my bicycle on my shoulder – mind you I ain't no swimmer 🙂
Your photos of the windmill and the sunset are gorgeous, Indrani!
I am so happy you travel to all these great places, so we too can enjoy them.
Have a Wonderful Day!
Peace 🙂
I felt sure I had commented on your blog this morning??? But what fantastic skies!! Glad your road trip worked out well and that there was someone there to help!! Have a great weekend, Indrani!!
Beautiful place!
That is quite the adventure. I never quite trust my GPS – in our mountainous area, it once tried to send my car over a rugged footpath. Luckily I knew better!
Road trips are fun but they can be quite scary too. I'm glad there's someone there to assist you.
That first shot is so interesting. Wonder what type of an orchard that was. – Glad you found someone to give you directions, been there and understand how frustrating it can be not knowing the right way to go.
Nice post, awesome photos
so glad you ran into someone and they could help you! i'd have been worried, too. beautiful hill and sunset scene!
Hello Indrani, I am glad someone was there to help with the directions. Lovely images, the sunset shots are gorgeous. Have a happy day and weekend ahead!