The Moorish caves we didn't see

We had one of our strangest days of the trip so far when we attempted to visit some pre-historic caves in the tiny charming town of Bocairent. We drove for about an hour and then stopped at a cool old building along the side of a road to grab a bite to eat before exploring. Walking in, we quickly realized we found something special. Super funky decor and a wonderful aroma of food greeted us immediately, along with a fifty-something Spaniard who was very grumpy that we did not have a reservation. He yelled loudly across the room and a lovely woman greeted us with a smile. There was zero cell service so my translation app was not functional, but she explained in Catalan that all we needed to know was that there was food and wine there. We agreed and followed her down some stairs into a dim room that was even stranger than the top floor. There were roughly 30 tables in the room...really more like a cave...and only one other couple there. After sitting for about 10 minutes, the two people began to drop stuff at our table. Water, wine to start, and then a casserole dish with delicious creamy cauliflower. Another 15 minutes passed as we tried to get someone's attention to ask for a menu. We never received it, but instead received another casserole dish of pasta salad, then another with some other pasta with broccoli and cheese. It was clear by this point that it was a set menu, so we panicked, realizing they have no idea that we don't eat meat!

Soon enough, I was able to communicate that we ate pescado but not carne and grumpy man was not impressed. The nice lady came by a few minutes later confirming we also didn't eat ham. At least an hour and a half passed with at least 4 or 5 courses in casserole dishes. Everything was delicious. People began to pour in, filling every single table. Presley was antsy so we took turns walking around, both wondering how long this unplanned meal was going to take. Spoiler alert - we didn't leave for 4 hours! The place turned out to be an old textile factory with a river that had been diverted for use in the mill. The man lived there in a tiny room in the back and the lovely woman was his sister. The property was beautiful...streams and little bridges all around with dragonflies and birds, and some of the biggest fig trees we've ever seen. We met a young Dutch boy who spoke English and explained that we had walked in to a 15 course meal! Plates of vegetarian paella and fried fish and a bunch of other little things kept coming until finally, we were offered dessert and coffee. Once the meal was coming to an end, the man softened and promised to show us something outside with the keys. After paying (the entire meal was $35 each for me and Tyler and free for Presley, INCLUDING THE WINE), he walked us outside and opened a tiny door. We expected it to be a tour of the underbelly of the old factory, but what was inside, couldn't have been further than our expectations. It was a giant bounce house! Presley ended up jumping for another hour as we chatted with the Dutch kid's parents. Mom turned out to be from Columbia (which is the first stop on the second half or our trip!), and her Dad and brother run a hotel there. We finally hit the road towards Bocairent, parked on a tiny street, and walked in the blistering heat up and down the cobblestones until arriving at the entrance to the park with the Moorish caves and guess what? They were sold out for the day.

We hiked back down, petting stray cats along the way, and Presley slept the whole way home. We exchanged info with the Dutch/Columbian couple and promised to reach out to her family for help in Columbia. All's well that ends well! Name of the restaurant if you are ever in Valencia - Moli del Pas.