MALAGA

Well I have just returned from Malaga, my first visit to Spain for many years. I have to say, it still has charm, sunshine by the bucket loads, warm friendly people and how cheap is the food and drink there ? My goodness ! A toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a Fanta orange and it was only £1.25 in our money anyway ! Fantastic !

Anyway, after flying into Malaga and a bus ride into the center, which only cost 9 euros, then a taxi ride to Malaga Centro Hotel ( www.salleshotels.com/en/seccion/32/salles-hotel-malaga-centro.html ) for one night.hotel After dropping of my case,  a wander around the town was called for, lots to see and do there, as you would expect. One of the main attractions is  Alcazaba   www.malagaturismo.com/es/recursos-turisticos/detalle/alcazaba/6alcazaba

The Alcazaba is a palatial fortification in Málaga, Spain. It was built by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century. This is the best-preserved alcazaba in Spain.  So went for a walk up and around the these castle walls and stopped at a beautiful oasis, not quite near the top ,  but it was so pretty and romantic, with jasmine bushes and a water feature,, fantastic views over the city. i dare say the views would have been even better further up, but far too hot to walk that far, but it was accessible by car, if you had one that is .

It is easy to get lost in such a big place, but luckily the taxis are cheep and easy to get a hold of.

Back at the hotel, showered and changed, it was time to go for something tom eat. A restaurant was recommended by a local and it was great ! it was a roof top restaurant called The Baltik batik

overlooking Alcazaba, quite trendy, but not over the top.  Tapas were on the menu and they were to die for ! washed down with a local rose wine. It was a great atmosphere and the price was very reasonable for the quality of the food.

Back at the hotel for cocktails and a free jazz night. Again a lovely rooftop view of Malaga, a relaxing end to the evening.r1

The next day the plan was to get a taxi to the bus station, then the bus to Nerja, but the taxi driver offered a good price to take us direct, which I think was a good move as it was quite far and very hot. He also offered to do the return journey to the airport and gave his phone number, which was something less to think about. He needed a phone call the night before and it would be sorted. Mind you he drove at ‘silly kilometers’ an hour…put on your seat belt !

The appointment that was to be home for a week, was re owned and the instructions that came with it, we very clear. Ask the taxi driver to go to  Oasis de  Capaistrano,taxi point 4 and there it was just next the apartment, which was good as it was in the middle of a cluster of other very pretty apThere was a key lock that we had been given a code to, a  wrought iron gate to open and then into a pretty court-yard. All very private and clean. It had everything you would need sunbeds, games, table and chairs out side. Inside it had a double sofa bed then the usual kitchen,with a dish washer, washing machine, microwave etc, breakfast bar again, table and chairs, TV, WiFi, nice bathroom with a shower and a bath. and a twin bedroom with a fitted wardrobe.

There was a short walk to the pool which had its own bar, serving food and drinks, again, not very expensive. o2

In the evening the town of Nerja was just a taxi ride away..or daytime beech ?

Soo at the risk of writing a novel in my first blog since my holidays, I will post this now and continue another day, with things to do and see in Nerja itself.artments, dotted up and down the hills of the village.o1

So, the holiday began, with clouds above, but as warm as it could get, without being sunny.

Along with the instructions at the apartment, was a step by step guide , with photos of how to get to the pool.o2

It was not very far really, just across the road, down a flight of steps, past a beautiful pond with giant carp swimming around and pretty Lilly leaves floating on top. There where squirrels were running up and down the palm trees and one was trying to gnaw through the hose pipe lying on the ground, but quickly ran off back up a tree.

There were two pools,one for children and one for adults, perfect ! The bar was always open for snacks and drinks, with comfy sofas to lounge on. A few more steps down to the pool, where the life guard was sat. He checked the pool pass that came with the apartment and for 2 euros he took a lounger of a pile in the shed and placed it around the pool at your chosen spot. There was a grassed area if you just wanted to bring a towel to lie on.

That day no sun lotion was used and yes I was burned for my mistake. It is so easy to think you wont get burnt..but you will !

The pool was so warm it was like lying in a relaxing bath, but still a welcome cool down from lying in the ‘cloud’.

There were also directions to the beach from the apartment, these were a little harder to work out. With a bit of logic, it was up a dirt track, quite a long way, but instructions not to give up, so far so good, but It was not a walk to be taken in the dark. Eventually the beach appeared at the bottom of a long flight of stairs, which were tricky to say the least !Nerja

A very lovely beach front, with bars and restaurants was the reward for the trek along the path and after a few cocktails later it was decided a taxi would be the best way back and at something like 5 euros who could argue ?