21 Friday Dec 2018
Posted in andalucia, christmas, Malaga, malaga getaway
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I’ve been taking photos of this particular belén (nativity scene) in the Atarazanas Market in Málaga for years. Usually the figures are nestled amongst the chiras (small clams) but on this day they were sold out, so they were perched on pulpo instead.
“And look!” one of the guys said to me, “We have a new addition this year! The three kings crossing a desert of prawns!” He was so excited and so was l. I will never stop loving this random humour and joy that exists here…
20 Thursday Dec 2018
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LOVE this guy (excuse blurry photo grabbed from video below). David has stood the test of time, always being honest, straightforward, unmoved by social bullshit. And I am very happy that he is my friend. We got together this past week in Málaga for a nice lunch at classic Mesón Ibérico. Didn’t get to see the rest of the family (Kasha and daughter Kira) this time round, but hope to see them again soon.
19 Wednesday Dec 2018
Posted in andalucia, culture, day trips, food & drink, friends, Malaga, malaga getaway
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Tuesday in Málaga started with a walk around Atarazanas Market with Ania @ania_marchlik, who was leaving at midday to catch her flight to Poland. And we ended up having just enough time for a quick Beer O’clock at Cafe Bar Estraperlo before I met up with Victor @welovemalaga. As you can see, some people clearly don’t know how to do Beer O’clock. 😉
The original plan had been to go to Fuengirola with Victor and meet Janet @janet_mendel for lunch at Los Marinos José, a place that I have been wanting to go to for AGES as a result of seeing so many tantilizing Instagram pics taken there by Fernando H. So imagine my disappointment when I found out they were closed for winter holidays. But Victor said not to worry, he would plan a Day of Surprises for me. 🙂
But first I had to stop in at Victor’s to give Harriet and Gingerbread a cuddle…
This new plan ended up still including Fuengirola, even though my only reason for going there was that one particular restaurant. But Victor said we could go back for that another time and that he had something special to show me after lunch. Well, between us we had a list of recommended places to try in Fuengi. This first one (Casa Colón) was fine, we had a “starter course” there. But the next one on our list, Tánicos (recommended by Fernando), was closed on Tuesdays. Dammit. Third rec turned out to be a dud, so we didn’t stay. Instead we got back in the car and headed to Mesón La Salina, another one recommended by Fernando, and it was fabulous. Definitely want to go back with more of an appetite and at least 2 more (hungry) friends.
Next up… my surprise! But first we stopped off at The Inner Life of the Enlightenment Stupa in Benalmádena along the way. It is the largest Buddhist stupa in the West and quite impressive. Which I reckon counts as a surprise, and a good thing too because when we finally got to the Castillo de Colomares… yep, it was closed. Though we did manage to get a pic through the gates.
But you know what? I didn’t really care because it had been such a lovely day with Victor, going here and there, chatting and enjoying each other’s company. My Málaga Getaways have changed over the past ten years, but meeting up with Victor is always one of the happiest things I do there.
18 Tuesday Dec 2018
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I arrived in Málaga earlier than usual because I ended up taking the AVANT (fast train) as the regular train route is repairing tracks and has an hour-long bus shuttle between two of the stations. And like, no way. Anyhoo, arriving early ended up being a nice thing (other than having to pay almost twice as much for my ticket). After unpacking I headed out to do some grocery shopping for the week, dropped everything back at home and suddenly it was Beer O’clock! After a walk around the centre and a quick bite I came back home to read and relax before meeting up with Ania and Joanna.
Without meaning to, we have created a new Málaga Christmas Tradition. This began last year when Ania and her friend Joanna happened to be in Málaga the same time as me and we met up for drinks and to watch the Christmas “light show” in Calle Larios. This year we all coincided again but this time we were able to watch the show from the balcony of Ania’s hotel room, which was quite nice. Then Joanna had to leave and we vowed to do it again next year.
After this we met up with Ania’s friend and colleague Fran and we went out for a few tapas at one of my favourites, Taberna Uvedoble. It was a perfect first day in Málaga and I was sensibly tucked up in bed by 10.30 while the young’uns went out for a few penúltimas.
17 Monday Dec 2018
Posted in christmas, malaga getaway
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Wish you were here!
casa azahar 