SPAIN --December 2009
A last minute booking, after a
very hectic October and a quick dash to France in November, saw
me in Benalmadena for most of December and Christmas. The
temperature started off at some 20 degrees C plus, with little or
no wind, indeed day time temperatures rarely fell much below 16
-17 degrees C during the whole stay. I left just in time to miss
the snow and freezing conditions back home, although later during
the stay there were three or four days of very long and heavy
thundery downpours over southern Spain, and snow and minus
temperatures further north.
The Hotel Siroco was conveniently
situated near the Marina and the boundary with Torremolinos. Like
many hotels it was up an incline from the sea front; the main
shopping area of Benalmadena Arroyo de la Miel being further
uphill, inland.
| The main road and
pavements in Benalmadena Arroyo de la Miel were being
refurbished. The rate of progress was quite amazing. Roadside raised flower beds / seats
have been made, and covered with attractive slabbing.
Almost immediately trees and flowers were planted. The
whole area towards the station was being repaved, and the
road resurfaced.
This view ( right ) looks towards the station, and cable car
which rises to some 2,500 ft, giving sweeping views of
the Costa del Sol coast, the snow on the Sierra Nevada
mountains, and of the N African coast on a clear day.
There is a daily exhibition and feeding of birds of prey
on the summit. Vultures, eagles, falcons and a huge owl.
( Video clip later )
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The right hand wing of
the hotel overlooked the pools and garden. The hotel was
also used by the Spanish, MundoSocial, and thus was quite
noisy especially at weekends. Since the hotel was mainly occupied by
Spanish clients, the catering also tended to reflect this
at main meal times.
From the hotel terraces it
was possible to look down over the road towards the
marina.
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( The inner Marina,
with many restaurants, is also a good feeding place for the fish. )
Benalmadena has many attractions
to offer including a Cable Car, Pleasure Park, Ice rink, Skate
Park and more, whilst in the Municipal Park ( La Paloma ), there
were many wild birds, also ducks and hens, peacocks, emus - even
cats and rabbits . The park is very popular with locals and
visitors alike. There is a market, and a huge boot sale, every
week at the side of this park, and a smaller market at the Tivoli
World Pleasure Park on a Sunday morning.
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Sadly, as in most populated areas,
the mindless minority is unable to leave any inviting blank space
alone.
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Another drawback of this
area, like many others, is the huge number of tatty
" English " and " Irish " bars etc.,
although there are some tidier ones. Mad Ass, Sad Sam's, Wetherspains,
Angie's, Kate O'Hara's and many such, with their full
English breakfasts, pie and chips, fish and chips or
Sunday roasts ... or Irish Welcome, often unattractively
advertised on scrawled sandwich boards and the like.
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However, there is a good selection
of Spanish, Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants, etc., providing
an ample supply of competitively priced eating and drinking for
anyone staying privately in the many flats available for hire, or
on B & B arrangements.
The other noticeable feature is
the presence of multi nationals. Apart from McDonalds, Burger
King and the like, Aldi, Lidl, Carrefour and more can be seen in
most large towns.
The walk along the promenade to
Torremolinos is perhaps prettier than going the other way towards
Fuengirola.
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Torremolinos, once a mill town,
itself has an interesting history, the strained relationship with
Malaga, Sir George Langworthy, links to Picasso, and not least
Frank Sinatra ( and the goings on at the Pez Espada Hotel ). ( Google will provide information for those
interested.)
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Both rail and bus transport is
good in the area, and it is easy to get to Mijas, Fuengirola,
Marbella, Malaga, Torremolinos and other places either by bus or
train. There is also a promenade all the way from Fuengirola
along Benalmadena Costa to Torremolinos if exercise is wanted !
Malaga provides possibly the
largest shopping facilities in the area, with several huge
shopping malls.... and a Cash Converters shop !
Mijas is a short bus ride away, up
in the mountains behind Fuengirola. It offers more of an insight
into what a village was like ( although now a tourist highspot ),
some excellent views and interesting features.
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Left: Donkeys, or a
donkey and trap, provide a way of exploring the hilly
streets of Mijas. Below
left: Image of the Virgin of the Rock.
Below right: View from the
El Compas view point.
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Marbella also has an interesting
history in relation to the Moors, and statues by Salavador Dali.
Below are pictures of the multi faith "church" in Plaza
de los Naranjos, and some of the Dali statues.
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An outing to the mountain village
of Frigiliana uncovered the connection with the Spanish
Inquisition ( again, Google
for history ), whilst Nerja
was the stopping place for lunch on the Balcony of Europe, which
provided views along the coast and into the clear blue water.
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( Video clips of the holiday,
including Frigiliana and Nerja, may later be posted on the "
patrickclips "channel, link on main opening index page )
Notes: To obtain reduced"
Pensionista " rates it is necessary to ask - and have a
passport. e.g on the Cable Car ( saving some 4 Euros ). Beware
walking at the pavement edge if it has been raining as cars often
splash up the puddles on the roadway. As with all places shop
around for best exchange rates - a variation of 3 or 4 eurocents
per pound was observed. It is normal to use the toilet facilities
in bars, cafés and hotels in Spain - whether or not you are a
customer. Free Wi Fi broadband is often available - although one
might need to ask for a password. Cheapest internet rates are
otherwise at Locutorios, where cheap telephone calls are also
available.
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