TRAVEL:Spain and Tangier July 2014

Tuesday 22nd July Costa del sol

Hola! Flying from Belfast City, or “George Best” Airport. Had a rather strange hot chocolate there, an Italian one which had a rather strange coffee like taste to it? The flight attendant who checked our passports before boarding had awful “scoosh” brows (why do people do this to themselves, they look silly!)  Took off at 1.50pm, a quick and quiet flight we arrived and picked up our luggage very quick. Flying over the sand like Andal Mountains was a lovely sight, nearly 6pm local time we easily found our grandparents who came to pick us up and take them to their apartment in Costa del Mijas, near Miraflores. The journey to it seemed to be the quickest yet, and seemed like I’d only made it yesterday as all the sights were so familiar having been going since I was 7. A hot 31* at night after unpacking and having a tasty “batido vanilia” vanilla milkshake, I did some lengths in the pool with my sister before heading to the very popular “Da Bruno” and Italian restaurant with several versions all along the locality. Very popular and quite tasty, I celebrated the safe flight with my favourite Spanish cocktail, Pina Colada. It took a long time before we were served as it was so busy, which was very unfortunate as we were starving! Luckily my “Gnocchi” in 4 cheese sauce was fantastic! Writing this now I am actually salivating in recollection!

Queso – cheese  leche – milk el vaso – glass   tortilla – omelette el pan – bread  el platano – banana el ajo – garlic  helado – ice cream bocadillo – sandwich

Wednesday 23rd July   Mijas

Nothing is better than lazing in the sun reading (the Nelson Mandela Autobiography which is absolutely superb may I add!) before going to the pool for a dip and some laps to cool off and returning to the sun, we bought some Lemon juice today to naturally lighten our hair, and of course using some heat products as it dries out. The pool was full of young kids enjoying the fountain that gets turned on twice a day, jumping through it and splashing about, something I used to love myself, I felt so old thinking about it! Hoping to be able to do 50 lengths in one day before I go! At the local shops had a “café Bonbon” not the healthiest, milk, condensed milk, coffee, sugar and sometimes cream too, but tasty! The shops have changed ever so slightly as to be expected with the recession, but it’s still the same at heart. We went to Mijas, a white Spanish town in the mountains famous for its Donkeys. We got some lovely photographs of the views and a natural stone, almost peddled looking church before going round the shops and getting some trims. Rebecca (my sister) got a fabulous organza and lace princess dress with laser cut butterflies all over it. The butterflies were coming off slightly in some places and needed a couple stitches, so I haggled it down from 10euro to 7! A very Hot 38* after a much needed cold drink we headed back to the apartment to relaxing after book the day trip to Tangier Africa, (approx. 60euro)
Later we had dinner beside Cappobeno beach, sharing veg tempura and then veg Paella with Rebecca and Nan, while getting the wrong sort of customer attention from a certain waiter! (Some men make it too obvious) joked around and taught my gran some funny slang words for boobs and bum: “bagunas” boobs, and “badonka” bum!


Que hora – what time is it?   Quantos es? – how much is it? Rebejah – sale  reduccio - reduced

Thursday 24th July Malaga

Got a lift to Feungerola and then got the train to Malaga, a quick and easy 45minutes (though not as clean and tidy as it was a few years ago) it was quite empty and a cheap 14 euro for two return tickets.  We got off at the main station which we’d never been to before, it’s also a shopping centre.  A cooler 27 in the shade we first headed to the main shopping area, under cooling high raised canopies from her we went to the Malaga cathedral (3euro for a student) it was beautiful inside, high ceilings, thick columns, neo gothic décor and stained glass windows. As usual the interior size took me by surprise, the alcoves each dedicated to a different saint.

On our way to Museo Carmen Thyssen we passed a “drunken sailor” and an armless beggar, the sailor called to us, it was early afternoon! Had some tasty iced drinks in a café, I had a delicious orange and vanilla blend, very creamy. The museum was more of a gallery, holding some beautiful art pieces, mainly romantic and impressionist works from around the 1800s based on Spain, the people, country and culture. There were some very realistic sea paintings and one of a woodland that looked like a photograph even close up, fantastic remarkable skill by an artist named Emilio. There was also some strange sculptures from old churches, such as a very creepy Jesus crying blood from around 13th century.

After we browsed some more shops we rested in the “jardina” near the “marina” close to the main shopping street.  Traumatically however, while walking back beside the main road beside the gardens my eye caught the sight of a man hosing something, however it didn’t appear right, I then took a proper look, telling my sister in disbelief, and a man was wanking in the park, in broad daylight, facing the cars!! We’d seen the man while we’d been reading. Traumatised! Rebecca wanted to tell the Policia, but what could u even say! Who knows the Spanish word for masturbate?! Never in my life have I experienced this before! Thankfully it was kind of funny as we were far away but we may not have been! There are some strange people in the world!
We did some shopping on our way back to the station and looked around the shopping centre (see yet again more weird sex things, a goo egg for men to pleasure themselves with)
Got picked up in Feungerola and headed to Elviria for some dinner to a Japanese restaurant called “Mecca” my granda was a bit anxious about it, not really understanding it, however we all enjoyed the podded peas they gave us for a snack, my sister and I had some delicious spring rolls (they had shitake mushroom in them!) some Aubergine Maki ~(which had a creamy sauce in the centre, very tasty) along with some stir fry veg, rice and veg tempura which my grandparents also had a bit of along with their own teriyaki. We all enjoyed it so much we all vowed to return. We even got to keep our lovely chopsticks! We all had a good laugh too as there was a very strange English man wearing white Austin powers glasses and a diamond stud earring who sort of resembled a gay Jimmy Saville and kept putting his scarf on his head like a turban

Billette – ticket Me Gusta – I like me No gusta – I don’t like

Friday 29th july
went to the nearby Calahonda area, full of shops and restaurants. got some great books to read all for 1 euro from the charity book shop. had some delicious freshly squeezed orange juice from the local cafe and made full use of the free wifi. Back at the apartment we enjoyed the sun and the cool pool, thankfully less busy and empty of kids today than previous ones. Then we went to Feungerola for some shopping! heading straight to my favourite shoe shop across from the bus station and purchasing some awesome black and leopard print wedges on sale for 22euro, instantly wearing them.   also made the unfortunate decision of wearing short shorts and recieving lots of leers from men.. got very excited in the fabric store as there was a great sale on with lots of fabrics which could be made into lavish designs!  got tshirts for my brother and boyfriend from my favourite shop "burska"
meeting our grandparents at the main square in front of the church, we headed to an indian for some dinner having some delicious onion bhaji's and samosa which very delicious cheese and garlic nan bread! the korma and balti were very tasty too (we all shared our food) and finished it all with a complimentary lemoncello (our choice)

feungerola town was absolutly buzzing with people tonight, then again it was a friday night. its definitely becoming quite the upcoming place for teens by night and families by day, affordable with shops, restaurants, beaches, a water park and zoo!

manana - tomorrow hasta luego - see you soon  beunos noches - goodnight

Saturday 26th July  Tangier
ready at the pick up point near our apartment for 7.15am. We had a few more pick ups on the way, going through Marbella etc, we passed the famous Gibralatar rock looming in the distance before arriving and boarding our ferry at Peurto Tarifa. The company we were with was one which i had used before "Rusadir travel" with a heart symbol. We got stuck with several different American tourists on the trip, many of which had loud obnoxious voices and opinion (I am not a morning person, nor do i like over enthusiastic people, they make me want to punch something, especially if im tired!) our departure was late (a regular occurance apparently) it was only about 45 minutes to an hour in travelling, a fast ferry that quickly went through the 16km over the gibraltar straits.
MoroccoTangier , was not what I expected, first off, it's a Muslim Country, everyone is Arabic, not Black (a tad rascist I know) They speak French and Arabic, it wasn't overly hot and the buildings and areas seemed quite run down and not in a very Arabic style.
It's the last few days of Ramamadan so it was quite empty. Firstly we drove around the more wealthy areas having acquired 2 more tour guides who spoke english, French, German and Spanish, one of which was wearing traditional Muslim garb. There was a combination of different nationalities on our tour, Swiss, Spanish, American, Dutch, and German and British too.
We finally stopped for some photos and to take a Camel ride, it felt quite natural and easy. And a bargain for a euro each! it was only a short ride, where we were led by a local. There were of lots of peddlars, we travelled onwards, passing the presidental palace, before stopping at the M'dina and looking around the casbah. it was very run down, peeled faded paint on the buildings and all the streets were very narrow and maze like, with the buildings rising up on different levels, very confusing, thank goodness we had a guide. There's lots of peddlars who follow the tour and harass you to buy wares and you try to barter them down as low as you can.

WE stopped for lunch, going upstairs to a restaurant full of different styled items, old 19th century ceilings and lights mixed Moroccann with lamps, seats and paintings and then with a few random French and Islamic styled wall decor.  Our lunch was included in our trip, drinks however, were not, but Rebecca and I had some cans in our bags which we drank. we had a watery Moroccan spiced soup little with vegetables and clearly a touch of cinnamon in it, with some tasty flatbread along with a hot fruity spice sauce with a sheeshkabob,  (tasty if you dipped the bread into the sauce and then into the soup) or the main we were served traditional delicious couscous with vegetables and a chicken leg, it was very fluffy and full of flavour! followed by a delicious Moroccan tea and a honeyed biscuit (very sticky and super sweet!) All along, while we ate Arabic music was played by a traditional band, seated on cushioned on a slightly raised platform, adding a great atmosphere to the simple eating experience.

After our lunch we went to a carpet making and silverware store where we were seated and shown the different carpets, and the seller explained how they were made and how long it took to make (always by women and it took from 3 months onwards depending on the size and how many women worked together to make it) It was all very expensive and so we didn't buy anything (though of course some of the pretentious Americans did) Outside I bought some magnets from the peddlers, they intimidated Rebecca., but they seemed to flock around me. It was such a contrast from the last Muslim country I was in during Ramadan. Dubai is so full of Glitz, glam and style and very strict here one of the couple in the group held hands and many others were in shorts with their arms and shoulders on display.

Our last stop before the return for the port was a purple pharmacy, we were given a quick demo of everything, and we learnt that Eucalyptus was good for colds and headaches but also hangover, also, drinking water for 18days with 3 strands of saffron can lower Cholesterol for up to a year. Here we got 3 for 2 on the tea we had earlier, for 10euro a scented musk cube that last for 24 hours and repels mosquitos, a spray to help aches, pains and in particular arthritis, Moroccan spice mx and black lacquer eye kohl all for 35 euro. Outside I bartered down matching blue and silver necklace and bracelet down to 4euro.

We were then guided back through the Kasbah and unfortunately came across a local with a chained capuchin monkey (how cruel!)  The security at the port was pointless, we put our bags through the scanner and no one paid attention to it!

Tangier is strange and not what I expected, it’s quite dirty and grubby: edging on the poverty line. It was quite empty due to Ramadan and as it’s a Muslim Country it’s quite sexist and segregated, for example the public toilet is only available for women to use during the day and men at night.  Earlier in the day Rebecca tried to touch a nearly dead cat which easily could have been rabies infected it looked so dreadful.  Yet surprisingly on the ferry there was a middle aged Muslim woman with her mother who was breast feeding in public!  I couldn’t understand this, especially since some Muslim women won’t eat in public or do so behind their Burka face covering. Arrived back in Spain after 5 and headed back up to where we were dropped off. Texted my grandparents to let them know (I didn’t text them from Morocco as texts were 40p with calls at £1.25 p/m and received at £1.50 p/m. Had a pleasant drink later in Georges bar and had a look at the local night Bazaar.

Sunday 27^th July Istan

A very hot morning, we went to the local bar, “George’s bar” and enjoyed a delicious antioxidant acai smoothie having just finished the Nelson Mandela Autobiography, a fantastic, moving and inspiring read which I plan on reading again soon! We then took a trip past Marbella up the mountains and winding roads to Istan, and old Moorish town in origin, a typical Spanish white mountain town The views along the way were breath-taking, looking down from the mountain road  to the valley and blue crystal reservoir below. Higher and higher we climbed until I began to think we had lost the way as there was barely any mountain road left, until finally we say the sign, and round the corner, hidden was the white town of Istan; an array of white houses stacked over different levels peeping in amongst the brown and green mountainside, with some huge villas high in the distance and small old abandoned shack size homes further below.

It was very hot and sunny but with a charming breeze, we had a drink and looking down over the views before Rebecca and I went exploring. Here the water runs pure and drinkable through the mountain down to the reservoir, we could drink straight from the fountains in the street. The first place I’ve ever known to be able to do that in Spain. We passed an 18^th century church, seeing only a few people, it was a very quiet and relaxed area, and the people whom we did pass were all Spanish.

As we walked along we could hear the rushing water underneath us, we strolled down admiring the wild countryside I thought of Washington Irvine’s “Tales of the Alhambra” down to the first main viewpoint passing a crematory cemetery. The view was beautiful, the sight of the reservoir far below in the sunlight was dazzling, an azure blue colour, which appeared so close, yet in reality was far below.

Later we went to “La Cala” where the fair was on, it’s last night. There were lots of stalls among the seafront were I got a beautiful necklace. Unfortunately the restaurant we went to was awful, and my stomach felt a bit iffy the rest of the night. It took nearly half and hour until Rebecca got her soup, which was cold and had to be reheated, very unprofessional, not to mention not very tasty.

The area was full of locals, the fair was full of bright lights and décor, we got some cute bows from a stall, it was buzzing with kids, with live music, full of stalls, games and rides. Rebecca and I played against some kids in lazer tag, they ganged up on us, and although Rebecca tied first with one of the kids I came last! It was vitalising, I felt like such a kid running around in the dark with my laser tag gear. We then met up with my grandparents again and persuaded a slightly tipsy gran to get a photo on the metal donkey, we weren’t taking no for an answer, very funny!!

Monday 28^th July

I thought I’d been lucky so far, but not today, I got burnt, around my armpit? An especially hot 37’ today but thankfully with a slight breeze we booked our tickets to Rhonda and had a cold refreshing drink in the nearby supermarket café, the Spanish drink brand “Kas” tastes exactly like Fanta. We went to the Miramar shopping centre to try and escape the heat; they even have a Primark now! Unfortunately though Gag (my granda) began to feel dizzy and couldn’t see straight, too much sun and dehydrated we spent ages making him sip water and trying to cool him with wet cloths before security had to escort him and us to a taxi in a wheelchair leaving the car behead (which they collected the next day) had a swim at the apartment and while the others went to Miraflores I went to George’s bar to use the Wi-Fi, had a tasty hot chocolate (I love the milk here, very mild)

Tuesday 29^th July RHONDA

Our coach picked us up at 8.50, unfortunately our driver had a very dull voice that made you feel very relaxed and sleepy, your mind easily wandered. especially in between switching from English to German. We stopped for a stroll around Puerto Banus discovering we were on the same trip as the German mother and daughter from last time, and the annoying American and her son (who looked much older than his 14 years and would rather not be with his mother, especially as she just talked about her wonderful daughter) She definitely knew how to talk, especially about her and how amazing she was, and her wonderful ballerina daughter, she didn’t like early motherhood as young children are too clingy, Charming. She tried to get me to add her on Facebook, giving me her personal card. Strange! After a half hour stroll along the marina (in which the American couldn’t understand why we had stopped at this “village” (It’s one of the most famous and fanciest areas of costa del  sol, though unfortunately as it was so early everything was shut!) we got back on the bus and made our journey through the mountainous lanes up nearly 3000ft above sea level, overlooking, the mountains and hills raised high and low around us, brown and green bushes and trees covering the area with the well-known Spanish white towns darted amongst it in the distance, beautiful. 

Our first stop was the famous Rhonda Bull ring, the largest in Spain, even with the protective barrier up to stop the bull attacking audience overhanging feet. This one (there was an older one in the old town but it has been built over) was built in the 1700’s, it holds 5,000 people and is the most expensive. There’s even a royal box!

We were shown were the bulls were kept, why this cruel practise was allowed - large land size needed for bulls that farmers don’t have, bulls only are kept alive until they are 7 as it’s just too expensive, and if not used at 7 for bull ring killed before for cheap meat or breeding, selling at 7 for 6,000 rather than 1,000. 10 are chosen for a match and 1/10,000 live and can live the rest of their days freely (sort of like gladiator)

Only one person has been killed in Rhonda’s bull ring, however more people die during the running of the bull festival which kills up to 15 a year along with people entering a bull’s territory.

The different “shaving” techniques were explained, the horns shorn depending on if the matador is on horseback. A matador begins from the age of 14/15 and at the top of their game they can make up to 8million a year (in effect they begin like a famous Hollywood star)

In Rhonda the matador cannot leap the fence to escape the bull, if he does so he forfeits the prize. (The bull can jump up to 2m in height!) They can hide and protect themselves behind a small wooden barrier, of which we saw was covered in marks from bull horn attacks.

It turns out the bull is colour blind and is not aiming to attack the red cloak but is in fact aiming for the feet, the matador uses the cape to cover his feet.

We visited the museum attached to the bull ring, finding out bull games originated from BC with the Iberians that lived at Rhonda.

After this (thankfully losing the Americans as they spotted friends) we walked over the “New Bridge” (which is in fact quite old) over the deep gorge, a wondrous sight! The bridge led us into the old town inhabited now by only 900 people, full of beautiful old houses and villas

We visited a beautiful manor house with spectacular views over the surrounding area, with a beautiful fountains and floral garden courtyard with Andalucía tiles. The interior was just as beautiful with its 19thC tapestries, religious inner courtyard and antique Baroque furniture.

Next we went to the Plaza that covered the old bull ring (we were absolutely boiling by this point with the lack of breeze and intense midday sun!) where the old church and basilica sat facing it, one that in fact held a bishopric and had a lavish gold gothic exterior apparently.

The next manor house we went to was entered from a small pebbled street, the “Bodegas la sangre de Rhonda” wine interpretation centre. Here we did wine tasting straight from the barrel and fountain, favouring in particular 2 sweet wines which even Rebecca liked, the dry wines however were disgustingly sour!

We then had our own chance to explore the area, having some delicious Rhonda tapas a vegetable mix in a tomato and saffron sauce a bit similar to ratatouille. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to go to the romantic museum and instead paid in look into the old church “Colegiata Santa Maria la Mayor” admiring its interior ornateness, full of real lit candles. Afterwards we made our way back towards the bus, browsing the shops on the main shopping street (which is apparently over a Km long) I would definitely return to Rhonda, perhaps you could get a bus from Marbella.  The journey alone is worth it for the sights.

Once back down and having lightly dozed my “siesta”  and made a stop in the old town area of Marbella which I’d never really explored before, wandering through Orange square, the town hall, the old fortifications and the old church  and main church. I shall have to explore these at some point! Once back at the apartment I cooled down in the pool before heading to Feungerola with Rebecca for some shopping, my favourite fabric store there was having a sale and I purchased a couple Metres of different fabrics. Ha d a delicious “Fresa” slush puppy and then a relaxing well needed bath back at the apartment before bed.

Wednesday 30^th July

Another very hot day we went to La Cala market, which is open every Wednesday until 2pm, a place where haggling is customary. For example I haggled down an old bracelet for Rebecca, got a lovely red and green handbag for 5euro and a beautiful silk peacock feather design silk scarf for the same price. The market was full of people, held in the same place that the fair had been the previous 

week. We had a drink in the local Irish bar before getting some clothes in the Chinese fashion shop. I felt like I was going to melt, the thermostat was reading mid-30s. I had a much needed swim at the apartment and later headed up again with Rebecca and Gag to find it the fullest I’ve ever seen it, absolutely full of kids!

We went to Marbella for dinner, heading to orange square and browsing the shops we got a t-shirt designed and printed especially for my brother (Rebecca choose some anime show)  for 19Euro, (he was very happy when he received it back home!) We had dinner in the square starting with a delicious Pina colada which seemed to quickly go to my head; I dipped bread into Nan and Gags pil pil sauce, (delicious!) before we all shared vegetable Paella which was incredibly enjoyed by all. A lovely Spanish night! The only problem was that the waiter was a bit creepy round me, calling me beautiful etc. yet later on introducing his new born to us; Spaniards are quite odd at times! We stayed until late, after midnight. and got some lovely photos in orange square

Thursday 31^st July

Got up early to go shopping in Miramar which is full of all sorts of shops, including a very large Burska (my favourite Spanish clothes shop, found in a few other European countries too) it was having a summer sale and I got some clothes from it of course, along with pull and bear. We got picked up and stopped halfway for a refreshing drink overlooking the sea as there had been a traffic accident which was slowing everyone down, it cleared by the time we were done and then headed to Calahonda for our hair appointments. I was getting my roots down, along with a trim and a curl. My hairdresser was clearly gay from his attitude and he kept saying “perfecto” we he seemed to do something that pleased him.  He added argon oil to the bleach and later but some over the blue, which slightly faded it but it’s still visible (it was originally purple!) he explained that some of my hair was broke at the front due to bleaching and that I need to be careful (I look like I have a cows lick and a mini fringe at times since it’s grown out a bit) I was there for longer than the others, 2 hours, but my hair was nice, Rebecca’s was fantastic looking in particular and she was very happy to not have to stand and get it cut like usual as it's very long, in fact, the hairdressers got down on her ands and knees to trim it!

We headed to the fancy “Aventa” and had a tasty Pina Colada, the restaurant had a lovely sea and beach view and was very fancy, it held some ridiculous modern art for sale for an absolute fortune, i'm a fine art sort of person, I dont see any skill in modern art at all.

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We got ready at the apartment before heading to “villa Toberia” beside the famous “club Marbella” A very fancy expensive Italian restaurant its beautifully decorated in the courtyard, the interior and the garden, full of wall motifs, roman statues and fountains, got some great photographs. – Very high market, normal pasta dishes and starters were around 20euro and some French wines nearly 3,000!! We sat in the charming courtyard to begin with full of flowers, wall fountains and roman busts (many of which I recognised from my trip to Italy) one of the fountains outside ha huge Koi Carp, around 20, some were definitely bigger than my dog! 

The atmosphere was great, we moved to the garden and patio area for our dinner having snacked of a garlic dip with cucumber, celery and carrot. There was live piano music from inside accompanied with song, the waiters were attentive and the food was alright (overpriced and nothing special, you go for the atmosphere, the beauty and to be seen) some waiters were too friendly, I thought this was to impress my grandparents but I am beginning to think Spanish waiters are just strange  It set me at ill ease to be honest, one was professing his adoration to my beauty while another wished to marry me, these were late middle aged unattractive men, please leave me alone thank you, this is not a Jane Austen Novel! Rebecca caught one checking my cleavage, how unprofessional! The owner came over (apparently he often chats to Nan and gag) he also had a look and placed his hand on my shoulder precariously close to them, not professional or pleasant! He thought Rebecca in her cute dress from Mijas was aged either 15 or 12 and would not believe she was 20, he gave us advice that we should “go for a man that is good on the inside not just the outside”

Had delicious hot chocolate and got some more photos before posing for some more photos and paying the very expensive bill. We got complimentary drinks in which I choose a baileys. 

Soon we departed with everyone in great humour, however back at the apartment Nan and Gag wanted to continue on, this was after 1am. So while they had a drink with the neighbours Rebecca and I went for our traditional night time swim before we left Spain. Unfortunately the lights were off and it was cold but I am happy to say I achieved my goal of doing 50 lengths in a day J

Friday 1^st August

My crazy grandparents partied until half two last night and needless to say

were not feeling the best. Rebecca and I got the bus to Feungerola around 10.15 for some last minute shopping, buying yet again more materials, and I bought stuff from pull and bear (there’s a first for everything) we headed back around 1 for some final packing before heading to the car rental after some final swimming and sun bathing. The rental guy drove us to the airport, Gag was not feeling well for the whole journey with uneasy breathing (he suffers from emphysema)  Rebecca’s hand luggage was 3kg over and the woman at the desk was going to charge us 45euro to book it on, don’t think so! We moved some things about and later put them back in her suitcase. Got some liquor 43 for 14euro and a litre of Smirnoff for 12. The final day always goes in so quick, and of course, when we landed it was cold and wet, typical!

Adios amigos, Hasta Luego