This is our third time visiting Spain, and three times has not been enough. We found Malaga a much larger city than we anticipated, but that was not a negative. It was also less touristy, and that was a definite positive. I am finding it difficult to describe our experience in Malaga. You have a large, clean, fun, unassuming city on the blue waters of the Mediterranean. So I guess that is my description. This area of Spain has something for everyone - water sports, laying on the beach, hiking, skiing (yes, you can hit the slopes in just an hour drive), and plenty of history and sightseeing.This shot of Shelly is at the Castillo de Gibralfaro that rises over the eastern end of the city. The castle was built in the 8th century, and while nothing much remains of the castle, the gardens and castle walls provide excellent views of the city. We really liked the Moorish influence on the buildings and gardens.
Here I am in just such a garden within the Alcazaba - a palace/fortress built in 1057 for Malaga's Muslim governors.
We spent the first two days strolling around the city and enjoying the leisurely Spanish lifestyle, the distinctive architecture and views of the ocean. Malaga was in the midst of a renovation/reconstruction of the Paseo del Parque - the city's main drag which is lined with what is essentially a 50 yard wide park/jungle that runs the length of the city. Since it was being refurbished we were unable to enjoy walks through the park, but the fact that it was there, instead of beachfront condos, was impressive enough.
Tilt one back, it is St. Patty's Day!! Buy two Guinness and get a free hat. Shelly isn't a huge Guinness fan, but she put down her half (two - with help) so that we could each get a hat. Funny how you can always find an Irish pub.
Here is our hotel - The Cohiba Hotel. The patio is right on the sidewalk that borders the beach, and at night was the most happening place on the beach. The picture on the right is the view from our room (our room is the one in the middle with the window open). The hotel is located in the El Pedregal section, about 5k east of Malaga central. We took advantage of the seaside walkway and walked into town a couple times, but for the most part we used the bus system. El Pedregal seemed, for the most part, to be local and there was a variety of restaurants to choose from nearby. We would definitely stay here again, for no other reason than the free popcorn and nuts at the bar.
We rented a car our last two days so that we could get out and explore the Costa del Sol and the surrounding countryside of central Andalusia. As you drive north from the coast you get into mountains very quickly, and just as quickly you come out the other side into plains filled with olive groves. Southern Spain is dotted with small white-washed towns that were built in traditional Muslim style. We passed this town, Olvera, during our drive and found it the most striking.
Here we are on the coast again and yes, that is the rock of Gibraltar; it is amazing how the rock is just there all alone. An impressive sight it was. In case you didn't know, Gibraltar is a British colony, and very happily so, much to the dismay of many Spanish. As soon as you cross into Gibraltar the scene is fully English from the red phone booths to the traffic cops. However, they do drive on the right side of the road which I was very happy about. We stopped in on our way to Tarifa so we didn't say long, and had no desire to spend money on the Pound.
Did you feel that? Did you get a sense that someone was waving to you? It was Shelly on the other side of the Atlantic waving hello. Gibraltar may have the strategic location, but Tarifa is actually the demarcation between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The town has become a hotbed for surfers of all kinds (board, wind and kite) and as a result has a very laid back lifestyle.
Most of the Mediterranean coastline is rocky or a sand/rock mix; while this beach in Tarifa is actually on the Atlantic, it is one of the few wide sandy beach we have seen, but it isn't technically a Mediterranean beach however. There are rocks on the other side of the jetty so if you wanted a more Mediterranean flair it is available.
Atlantic on my left (notice the sand) and Mediterranean on my right (notice the rocks).
There are ferries from Tarifa to Tangier, and we fully intended to take advantage of the chance to step foot on African soil. However, when we reached the ticket window we realized we left our passports in the car (we had to get them out going into and out of Gibraltar) and by the time we made it to the car and back we had missed the last boat. Crap!!
We didn't get to go to Africa, but we could see it; that is Morocco across the water over my left shoulder. On the drive to Tarifa you could not see the African continent due to haze, but on the way back it could be clearly seen. Pretty cool!! OK, we have seen Africa. Next.
Now we are in Ronda in front of the Puente Nuevo spanning the El Tajo gorge; which separates the old town, La Ciudad, on my left and El Mercadillo on my right. Ronda holds the distinction as having one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, and is the place where bullfighting on foot instead of horseback originated.
In the early 1900's cave paintings from the Palaeolithic era were discovered just 5k from Ronda; these paintings are some of the finest ever discovered from the era. Also, it was in the area around Ronda that Julius Caesar battled Pompey during the Punic wars. Basically, Ronda has had an important place in European history for a long time.
Alas, Ronda was our last stop before we had to make our way east along the Costa del Sol to Malaga, the airport and home.
