KL's Travelogue: 20120227 Valencia

After almost 2 weeks traveling in the small cities/ towns, I was happy to think of visiting the country’s 3^rd largest city. Famed for the coastal playgrounds, coupled with the summer nightlife, couldn’t be wrong to visit Valencia practically… but it was still a winter.

The first observation was that Catalunian language was being used instead of Spanish on signboards. This 3rd largest city was, as expected slightly dirtier, more skin colours and more crowded.

The most impressive landmark is no doubt Ciudad De Las Artes Y Las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences), designed by Santiago Calatrava, comprised of,

- Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is a musical hall, Lonely Planet described it as a big beetle. It was 2^nd world largest auditorium after Sydney’s.

- Hemispheric should be beautiful in the night with lighting effect. 3D movies and documentary are routinely projected on the IMAX dome cum planetarium.

- Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe is a museum for kids basically, emphasizing knowledge discovery and exploration.

- Umbracle is a series of concrete ribs fly over the 320m walkway of green promenade.

- Agora was quite ugly, have no idea of its function.

- Oceanografic, an ocean park that would cheer the kids definitely.

Other than this City of Arts and Science, Valencia does not have other “must-see”. Among the places I had visited were,

- L'Almoina, the archaeological remains of the kernel of Roman, Visigoth and Islamic Valencia shimmer through a water covered glass canopy.

- Museo de Bellas Artes, was free. Collection was ok, of course can't compared with the big 3 in Madrid.

- IVAM (Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno), hosted temporary exhibitions of Australian paintings (not creative), sculptures (same idea and repeating), architecture (so far the best), indigenous arts from Latin America. Was ok.