A week ago today I returned home from a truly excellent vacation in Spain. I was spent ten days with a very dear friend who owns an apartment in Benalmadena, near Malaga in the Costa del Sol. To say it's beautiful there is a major understatement.
I'd never done a sun and surf vacation before, and I was worried that I might get bored. But we mixed things up--one day lying on the beach, the next day exploring cities in the area. We went as far south as Gibraltar. I came home with a good tan and many happy memories.
Here are a few pics from my stay there. I'm very eager to return.
On my first full day there, we drove up the cost to visit Nerja, a jewel of a town that a Spanish colleague had highly recommened. Here I am, overlooking the beach.
Our view in Nerja as we enjoyed some ice cream. (Well, beer for me.)
Hamming it up with a king's ransom in Jamon Iberico. Man, is that stuff tasty. But it doesn't smell so good when so much pig is one place...
All smiles at the beach.
With Gry, my host and my friend of 30 years. We met in high school German 4 when she was an exchange student from Norway in 1983. Still the best of pals.
A very rare sight--me with my shirt off in public. First time since I was 12 years old. I was the whitest person on the beach. And maybe in all of Spain.
With my favorite accessory during the trip. It is HOT in Spain. My Mini-Mouse fan was very helpful.
On my third day in Spain, Gry and drove down the coast to Gibraltar. Really pretty scenery, and then THE ROCK.
And here's where things went awry--as we approached the border control, Gry realized that she had accidentally grabbed her boyfriend Frode's passport instead of her own. So we were forced to turn around without being let into British-controlled Gibraltar. Oops. (I got a lot of mileage out of teasing Gry for the rest of the trip.)
Thwarted but undaunted, we drove back up the coast to Marbella and stopped for lunch in the ritzy Puerto Banus part of town. Serious money. Giant yachts. And me.
A lovely tapas lunch with a view
Enjoying some sangria
One night I was taken our for tapas and a tour of Malaga's center by a handsome, charming Spaniard. This is the cathedral.
Canopy over a charming Malaga street. 12am, still bustling.
Drinks high above Malaga, the bullfighting ring in the foreground.
Malaga, looking toward the harbor and the city center.
A few nights later. Full moon over the Mediterranean.
Full moon over me.
We took a day trip up into the mountains to visit Ronda, which boasts this famous bridge and amazing views.
The vistas were stunning.
All me, no bull.
Ronda was in festival mode. So pretty.
Happy Seany at lunch.
Breakfast with the locals.
Tasty churros.
Back in the mountains to visit Mihas, the "white city." Really pretty town and setting, total tourist trap.
Me, Mijas.
Back resting at the beach. That's also where I had the best wifi.
All in all, it was a really amazing trip. Spain is great. I will be back.
