Spain: Mijas

We wake up today and it is very windy and cold.  I start packing, as we will have an early start tomorrow to the airport. Then late morning we go for our last drive - we are going to Mijas village.

Mijas is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, southern Spain. It is a typically Andalusian white-washed village located at a mountain side about 450 m above mean sea level, in the heart of the Costa del Sol region. There are some local history museums and many souvenir shops.

We made it up the mountain... on the way we passed a motorbiker who almost got side swept by the winds....  We reached Mijas and the views are magnificant... however the wind and the cold air are incredible....

There are lots of shops selling these beautiful painted pots and plates.... again... can't buy anything, as they are heavy and breakable.....

You would think it is winter here....

Normally there are the burros taxis everywhere... but during the off season none are to be seen... what a shame....

We found this one only.....

We are walking around the village - in and out of shops.... and looking for the bullring...

And there it is... the bullring... now where is the entrance???

Of course it is closed.. being off season - oh well.  Last time I was in Spain I actually did go to a bullfight... quite fascinating...

Aaah.... and here is the burros taxi, tucked away for winter....

We have our lunch in the car... sandwiches....it is far too cold and windy to sit anywhere outside.
Then off we drive back down the mountain homewards...

On our way back, we drive through Benalmadena pueblo and the Colomares castle.  Unfortunately, it is just closing.... interesting architecture....

Built by Esteban Martin and local bricklayers from nearby Mijas, between 1987 and 1994, this castle pays homage to Christopher Colombus and the discovery of America. This castle offers the visitor different architectural styles: Byzantine, Roman, Gothic and Mudejar.  It also has what is believed to be the smallest church in the world and features in the Guinness Book of Records.

We drive home along the coast.... beautiful day, beautiful views and sceneries....

What a great day...however freezing cold and windy....

We decide we need to call Gill back and tell her to pack some warm winter clothing after all... Oh well ... I had wonderful weather and sunshine. Great company!  Thank you!


S & D & L

Spain: San Pedro Markets

My visit is slowly coming to an end... very sad, Jenni and I are having such a great time!
Today we venture into Estepona in the morning -I need to post my postcards and Jenni needs to go to the bank.

 After that it's off to yet another market: San Pedro local markets - I just love it. I even found my paella dish there (the one I had before got broken) but unfortunately they are very heavy and I don't have the weight... I really will have to come back with more weight allowance for the plane!

 A last stroll along the beach...

We have our last churros y chocolate again...in the town centre of San Pedro ... so yummie.  We called Gill, Jenni's sister who will be arriving the day after I leave - it's a shame, would have loved to catch up with her too. Inshallah next time....We tell, don't pack warm clothes it's lovely sunny weather here...

We have a nice relaxing evening at home watching British game shows and having a home cooked dinner (Jenni is cooking of course...I am in charge of the eating bit...)

One more day....

S & D & L

Spain, Marbella

After our big day out yesterday, we decided to have a more relaxed day today and just go for a drive into Marbella.





In 2011 the population of the city was 138,662 inhabitants, making it the second most populous municipality in the province of Málaga. It is one of the most important tourist cities of the Costa del Sol and throughout most of the year is an international tourist attraction, due mainly to its climate and tourist infrastructure. The city also has a significant archaeological heritage, many museums and performance spaces.
 The city is especially popular with tourists from Northern Europe and also Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Marbella is particularly noted for the presence of celebrities and the rich; it is a major destination for luxury cruise ships and mega yachts which dock in its harbour. The area is popular with golfers and boaters, and there are many private estates and luxury hotels in the vicinity
In 1974, Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia arrived in the city after having broken the bank at the Casino of Montecarlo. Until his death in 2005, he was a frequent and profligate guest at Marbella, where his retinue of over a thousand people spending petro-dollars was welcomed, including the then-anonymous Osama bin Laden. His entourage used to spend up to 5 million euros a day in the city.

In the evening we went for a Chinese meal... yes I know when in Spain....  we actually never managed to eat a Paella....we had all sorts of cuisines... next time.  I just have to come back for another visit don't !

Asta la Vista.

S & D & L