Month: September 2017

Not many hours sleep and still a little bit intoxicated I got up for a quick shower, lotioning and breakfast.

Then transfer to Malaga airport for my flight back home. Nice having you with us for this time.

I’m really wanting to leave by now. Torremollinos has been nice but there is not much to do here unless you really explore (and have some Spanish knowledge). For couples, older people, and gays, sure I can recommend this place. There are two really nice beaches with many sun beds (if you’re into that), many restaurants and “bars” along the beach, a very nice beach walk and a lot of touristy shops. But not much more – unless as I mentioned before you speak Spanish. For sure, you can rent a scooter or a car and visit a lot of different places around here but for a week’s vacation I’ve just not had the opportunity.

Besides, I’m a little sun burned and need to stay away from the sun a bit. Which meant I also did not go to the beach until a bit later and there I noticed something.

Yesterday I mentioned that it was a bit windy, well, I was wrong. Yesterday there was a tiny weeny breeze. Today there was wind, still warm though, but the wind gave you sand blistering time and over again. I tried to hold out for a bit just in case the wind would settle but no. So I set out south along the beach to the next cove to see if it was better there – and voila, a lot better there.

Back early to the hotel I got pestered by some colleagues about wearing speedos. The picture here is not me wearing speedos, you can see that on the amount of facial and regular hair on the dude. The picture is honestly stolen from internet and just to let you know – I’ve not wore speedos since I was a kid, and will most likely never wear any again.

 

 

 

8pm was the reserved time for the table at Ibiza so off I went for my last nights dinner. It is a very “happy” restaurant in all senses and I get a very nice welcome.

They are blending their own gins here and I choose the one with ginger & pepper – Asian gin. It turns out it’s G&T’s, but very nice for the weather. Perhaps on the rocks would have been better.

I order some focaccia with tomatoes and garlic & carpaccio with a salad for entrees and a beef tenderloin with gambas for main. They do forget the wine list though.

The focaccia was good, so was the carpaccio. I ordered a bottle of red, Heredade Peñalosa which was fabulous to the entrees.

Sooo, I’ve had a quite lovely lady in my eyesight during dinner, for sure her boy is sitting right next to her, so what, I’m just enjoying the view. Now the boyfriend has noticed, and I can tell, not only by the arm around her but also the looks I’m getting. How much should I be worried about this britt?

Also to mention are the three britt girls just beside me. Nice girls and all, having drinks – and I mean proper alcoholic liquor & other – to the entrees, fair enough, but to the main course?!

The main was really nice as well, too much, but nice, the problem with eating out alone.

So, the girls beside me are all married with kids or something like it – here just partying. The pretty young one in front of me with the aggressive like type of partner have left.

Ended with the customary Café Solo Dublo (or for easier understanding, double espresso).

Asked for a nice tequila, but no good there. Went to La Cervezeteca and asked for a tequila, no good there either, do they only have bulk tequila in Spain? Went for a beer instead.

 

 

Was just going for one beer, until I met this couple from Sundsvall… it ended up with a few more and for a bit longer time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On my way home I had to photograph this for you.

 

Breakfast. Beach without at walk.

Oh, another picture, this is really from the first day – you can see that due to that I’ve not read so much of the book.

 

To note, yesterday was a hot, hot, hot day. Today was windy, not much but a little too much for the sand to blow in your face from time to time. Today was a worse day then yesterday, because with the wind you did not really feel the burning sun beams. Yes, it is true, parts of me got forgotten and are a bit more red now.

 

 

 

 

After the beach I was going to go to a place for some beer and tapas, but no luck, no tapas serving. Instead I went to the supermarket to shop. You see, I don’t really care much for souvenirs, but buying food stuff to take home, that’s a different matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had planned on reserving a table on Ibiza grill bar restaurant so before heading down to the night’s chosen restaurant Meson Taberna Las Albarizas, I went to Ibiza. Unfortunately they were fully booked for the night so I reserved a table for my last night instead.

Onwards I went and I was a bit worried because it was 8:30pm and the restaurant was on the other side of the cove. The way back to find another restaurant would have made me quite warm (read this as sweat like a pig – yes I know pigs don’t really sweat). I had not had to worry though, the restaurant was not even half full. Doubts were planted but I sat down and ordered anyways.

For starters a pil-pil and some kind of white mushroom platter. For main meal the Iberian ribs.

The gambas was really nice with a good heat and nice to see with the head still attached, a nice touch. The mushrooms were really good as well. The ribs, well ribs are ribs right? Yea, but these were fine, a good taste with the rubbing and a lovely crust as well.

 

 

One thing though, you know when you have to wait 20 min between entrees and main course because they are trying to give you a breather, some time for more drinks – or they just have too much to do in the kitchen? Well, I got the main course 2 min after I finished the entrees. Sure, I do take my time, I am on vacation and don’t really have any rush (I would say my fastest dinner has been a 1½h dinner while most go over 2-2½h), but still… With two entrees I could definitively have waited a bit.

Breakfast. Walk south by the shore. Back and a few hours at the beach sunbathing. Late dinner and something to end the night with. That would be a regular day for me here, of course with some deviances each day.

Today I walked even further, passing the first part of the marina of Benalmádena and coming to what looked more like something that the Americans would build to look like a south European costal city with shopping, eating and drinking. I will not go there again. I did however make sure to find the restaurant for the evening during my morning walk. So at dinner time (after 8pm) I took an exploratory walk, which turned out way too long and sweaty, to the restaurant. That were closed on Wednesdays.

So back up the mountain and choosing another spot and another restaurant, which of course was fully booked by the time I got there. Instead I chose the neighbouring place called Casero.

I went for an all entrée meal, which is acceptable in Spain because they sort of call them tapas. I started of with a Mezze plate that was a compilation of tapas along with some fried halloumi. That was awesome! And with the wine alongside the dishes I was almost full.

But I could not help myself and ordered a pil-pil as well (except for the standard prawns this version also had chorizo). That was also an awesome dish but it was of course too much food for me – don’t worry, I did finish it.

 

 

 

After some internal squabbling I ended the day with another Spanish beer – Iberus double IPA at La Cervezateca.

The excitement of hotel breakfast is over, now it’s more of just getting some nutrition (and no, I only had cava the first day even if it is complimentary for all).

I did forget to tell you that on my first day here when I was looking for a beach towel I actually did something cultural. I visited a house built in the beginning of the century which was pretty nice. Now used as a town meeting place and also were many weddings are performed. The view from the balcony is also pretty nice.

Today I went for a walk north towards Malaga and I did come very close to the airport along the beach before I turned back.

I was a bit restless and sunburned so I did not stay long at the beach. Regardless I was going to Fuengirola to visit the Hagelins.

 

A short train trip, which cost me €2.05 one way and I got off at Los Boliches. Some text’s later and a short walk I met up with Christian and Samuel who then took me to their apartment where Johanna and Emil awaited. We enjoyed some snacks, drinks and socialising before heading out to a restaurant that had been on their bucket list for some time. We had a pleasant dinner with a nice meal and afterwards we headed onwards for some coffee and ice-cream. Since the last train left after 11pm and the kids where getting sleepy I decided to hop on a train back to Torremolinos.

Also – since I’ve been in love with (except for my third and disappointed time) the grilled fresh asparagus. A picture I was gonna send to my mum – but since I’m not roaming, the picture will have to wait until I’m home.

A long breakfast was definitively going to be a standing start of my vacation days. I did linger at my room for a while as well before heading down to the beach.

At my way down (I had to take the stairs down from my room to the beach – which was a couple of levels beneath the reception – and entrance street level) in the elevator I found a picture. The funny thing about this is that Hotel Fenix is a “adult only” hotel.

To note also is that there are kids here, but I guess you would call them “young adults”, with their parents. There are also a fair share of “mature” adults – or retired folks you could also call them. Many of the older people stay at the pool during the days instead of going to the beach, which is why I don’t. Then again – I do love the beach!

Down at the beach I did not linger too long but instead headed south along the beach to see what happened further away and to see the sights, of the beach…

I walked over to the next cove and further on to Benalmádena’s marina where I had a drink before turning back and staying a while on the beach.

 

For dinner I decided to find the restaurant that had a Michelin mention in Torremolinos. Exiting!! I did however get a bit lost on my way to the restaurant but with the offline Google maps it was not too hard to find the way. How did we ever do this before we had our smart phones? Restaurante El Botijo Carihuela was the name of the restaurant and I got there after 8pm. Still too early for the Spaniards there were only one other party which consisted of Dutchmen (and women). Last night, having learned that glasses of wine quickly cost as much as a full bottle I decided to go for a bottle for my self. The waiter recommended the lamb-leg so for once I let someone else choose for me. I did of course have to go for the grilled asparagus for starters.

Unfortunately I was sourly disappointed. The asparagus was not grilled “fresh” asparagus and why I chose lamb when I’m not that fond of it – well, what can I say. The lamb was ok but overall it was not what I had expected of this restaurant. Disappointed I went straight back to the hotel and watched a couple of episodes of Snatch.

It was difficult to get out of bed. But since I had to switch rooms I did not have much of a choice.

Instead I had a long breakfast – with cava.

Afterwards I recognized the fact that I shall have brought a towel (€3 / day from the hotel), so I had to go and shop for one. Since I did not have anything to do except being on beach or the pool, I took my time looking for a cheap towel.

Later that day I once again (and let me promise you that it happens now and again) learned the hard way of sleeping at the beach = sun burn.

For dinner I found my way to Restaurante El Pórtico where I enjoyed a cold meat platter, some grilled fresh asparagus and Iberica pork (medallions of some sort). The restaurant was a nice place where you could either sit outside in a small courtyard, inside in a bistro or in a more formal restaurant. I ended the night at La Cervezateca for a few Spanish beers.

 

 

The Imparable IPA was the first I got recommended and the second was Ex IPA Seve. Both were definitively good enough to drink again if I got the choice.

 

For a short week trip to Torremolinos I was not expecting to keep up my travel diary. But with some pressure from friends I caved in and I even agreed on adding some pictures – which we’ll have to see about.

Somehow I manage to book my vacation trips the day after Hubhult party’s – now the second in a row. This time though, my flight from Copenhagen airport leaves in a more reasonable time – 3:20 pm and I’m also more prepared not to oversleep. I do take my time in the morning with an early lunch at home along with some coffee and time to watch the news. Strolling down along Pildamsparken in a very light drizzle, I feel good. It’s definitively time for some vaca!

Meeting Otto at Triangeln station I at least get some company waiting for my train. Not only is it late but full to bursting. At the airport, trying to get in the right lane, for baggage drop, I see all the different types of airport people – and most are not showing the best human behaviour. I do question what it is with airports and how they bring out the worst in people. Is it just because you are in a hurry when you are late to the airport – or you think you are in a hurry? Myself, I’m just waiting in the line, peacefully, letting the odd conversations wash over me, the complaints on how long the queue is, how long time it takes, why do they only have two registers open. You know it all, you’ve been there and seen it before. I do hope you’ve not been one of those people.

A pleasant surprise is the very short queue to the security control and I’m through in about ten minutes, but there are still hick-ups. If you fly twice a year – you know what to do, what not to do  – how hard can it be? Do you have a laptop or tablet, remove it from your bag. You got toiletries, they are fitting in the plastic bag, remove it from your bag. Do you have anything – and I mean anything – in your pockets, remove it along with your belt. Take off your jacket or heavy hoodie. Put it all in the bins…

After a quick order pick-up of some toiletries I’m back by the bar of Le Sommelier – awaiting boarding.

 

The flight is about 20 minutes late, no wonder I’m flying budget. The seat is fairly small but I’m lucky and get an aisle seat and a short fit young lady beside me. For me the flight contains some drinks, some reading and the start of translating my old travelling diaries. If you’re used to Copenhagen airport then Malaga airport is a blessing, but then again it seems fairly small. My bag is quickly found on the conveyer belt – very quickly! After a little detour I find the shuttle company and the bus that will take me to Torremolinos and Hotel Fenix.

I get an upgrade – if only for one night. A junior suit with a really big balcony, due to issues with the air conditioning in my reserved room.

It was late, around 9pm and I decided to go for some food and the went to the closest restaurant to the hotel (that I of course already had looked up at home) – Vinoteca Las Tablas. The restaurant is a really cozy and romantic restaurant. It’s not for single persons or with your friends for just a good time. Family or partner works better for this place. The food though, it is really good and so is the service even if some things take a bit of a time.

A while later I walked towards a “tequila” bar. A bunch of teenager looked to be robbing a place I went by. I did not say anything, one reason is that I don’t speak Spanish and I really don’t know what they were doing there – some of them might actually have lived there. The bar was closed – or closing – so I headed towards a beer bar – La Cervezateca. They had some Spanish beer but were more specialized for the more standardized European and American beers. But the Spanish beer I tasted, awesome!

Naparbier Sandokan DIPA was a really nice DIPA with lots of hops but not the bitter aftertaste. Jack the Ripa is a pleasant IPA with a touch of bitterness but also a faint flowery taste.

Here I noticed (I had actually noted this at the restaurant already) that most people around me were Spanish. But I had a nice time even if I did not understand or could communicate to that many people. After a while a party of three, a girl – Laura (later when we started talking about our different ages, it showed she was not that young), a guy and an older man called me over. They were over from Sevilla. The girl lived in Malaga and her boyfriend visited and had happened to get to know the older fellow – on a nudist beach. They later took me out on the town and showed me bar after bar with only men. It seems Torremolinos is a gay paradise.