SPAIN - Feb 2013 - Mar 2013

The second visit to Spain was to the Benalmadena/Torremolinos/Mijas/Fuengirola area, staying at the Triton Hotel in Benalmadena.

The first few days were taken up with getting one's bearings, a bus pass, and a quick visit was made to the Siroco ( now refurbished ) to see what improvements had been made.

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The Triton Hotel, situated on the promenade behind the Malapesquera Beach area, was very well placed on the Benalmadena Costa area, and the bus pass enabled journeys to be made for one Euro in the Malaga area - including to Fuengirola, Mijas, Torremolinos and Malaga itself. There are quite a few steps both within the hotel grounds and down to the level main promenade.

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The most visited place was the Marina, which provided many photo opportunities, although many walks were made along the flat promenade, either in the Fuengirola direction to the Bil Bil Castle, or turning off at the Windmill roundabout to the La Paloma park, an attractive park area which has numerous animals and birds, as well as Cactus and other gardens, cafes etc..

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On Wednesday there is a rastro ( Car Boot equivalent ) at side of La Paloma park, where there is everything from trombones to bidets, watches, earings and beads and bangles, cameras, white goods, accordions, washbasins, taps and more.

Torremolinos is known for the Pez Espada hotel, an old time haunt of Frank Sinatra. It is also where George Langworthy ( The Englishman ) is alleged to have started off tourism in the area, after raising money from paying guests and friends.( He used to give out cash to local workers who were unable to work or fish ).

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A free Blanket trip ended up at a restored Mill ( Molino de Inca ) and water gardens in Torremolinos, after a sales pitch at Benalmadena pueblo. The gardens are well worth a visit for the water features and birds.

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A bus to Torremolinos and a pleasant walk back along the flat promenade to Benalmadena also makes a good morning outing. Allow about an hour for an easy walk back to the Marina.

The main shopping area is in Arroyo de la Miel, although many shops are concerned with eating or drinking. There is a weekly Market up at Arroyo de la Miel, behind the train station in the Tivoli Car Park area.

I did go up the teleferico to see the views and watch the birds of prey being fed. But there was no demonstration since it was a bit gusty for them to fly. There are earlier videoclips of the feeding of the birds of prey from a visit in December 2009, on patrickclips, and others of the area, including La Paloma park. There is also the usual web page.

On Sunday morning there is a rastro at Fuengirola - although many of the stalls are the same as in La Paloma park on a Wednesday.

A brief visit was also made to Mijas, famous for the donkey and horse transport, to take some more video and stills. A tourist spot in the mountains, with many bars and eating places, and the usual tat shops.

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The last week was more unsettled with rain or drizzle on and off. It was spent mainly walking around the Marina area and the local shops on the Benalcosta, including El Corte Ingles and Lidl.

A videoclip of the area will be uploaded as soon as possible to patrickclips. In the meantime there are several clips of the area around Dec 2009 already uploaded.

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