Travel with Hofvanders

Waking up after V & F have gone to work – or rather, deciding to get up then. I did wake a few times during the night, but decided each time to continue to sleep with earplugs and eyefold – trying to get into the time zone. At the same time I needed some sleep since the trip had been without much sleep. So I went to sleep around 3 am CET and awoke at local time 8:30 am. I started by fixing some admin stuff (like writing my blog into MS Word from my note pad) and just awakening. Really nice.

Then I went for a morning walk to Spanish bay/beach in a grey day with a light drizzle now and then. I immediately found a back alley (the area is crawling with them) to the houses. You know the streets, you’ve seen them in movies and tv-shows, specially in car chases. 🙂 The alleys that are not properly paved, behind the houses and yards with the trash bins and all. I happened to walk through villa areas and some of the houses are real nice here, differentiating themselves from the many classic American/Canadian houses. But as V & F pointed out yesterday when driving back home in the dark, in daylight you can see that many of the houses are neglected. I continued along the bay and the parks for a few clicks on my way to a café. Vera had recommended this café last night and I had no other place to be, since V & F would be working all day.

I arrived around 11 am to the café when not many customers where there, but lunch time did arrive soon. The café had a nice menu with a lot of different options, but most of them seemed to have one type of cheese or another. Fortunately the café specialised, not only in organic, but also in vegetarian and vegan, so they had some kind of dairy free vegan cheese that I could have with the burrito that I ordered. The food was really good (and the coffee as well!) and I can definitely recommend a breakfast / brunch / lunch here (they supposedly close at 3 pm even if google says 5 pm). Aphrodite’s Organic Café at 3605 W 4^th Ave, Vancouver.

So, what to do in Vancouver? How about visiting a local brewery? Yah! Looking up some places, unfortunately not close by and I had my new shoes on, for the first time. Oh well. Started walking down the bigger roads since the other once are really part of residential neighborhoods. I had one of two breweries in mind, both approx. 4 km away. When walking down the roads just being a tourist, checking out people, stores and restaurants, I find that a lot of the restaurants are Asian one way or another. There are of course a lot of Canadian “organic” or “local” restaurants and I find one that I could visit for another brunch if I need to go alone once more. I also find a chocolatery on the way and since V & F is missing real chocolate then I’ll need to tell them about it.

Finally I find my way to Granville Brewery tap room and the place is packed with a queue to get a table. Now it’s good to be alone and I quickly get a seat at the bar and directly order a flight. I try out Sunshine Coast Hefeweizen (light, Weise, 3.0), Infamous IPA (hoppy, light, 2.5 – what’s up with Canadian IPA’s really?), Lions Winter Ale (Cocoa, Vanilla, 3.75), Winter WIT (citrusy, 3.75). There are young people around me and I’ve noticed that it’s not that easy getting a conversation going with younger people, specially if they are there two-and-two’s. A while later the pair to my right leaves and a older couple get the seats and also to my left another couple sits down. Of course, I’ll have to help them and recommending what to choose! 🙂 That’s one good way to start up a conversation and I start talking to Bonnie and Steve who’s in Vancouver for the night. We chat away and my flight’s over so I order the West Coast Pale Ale (hoppy, 4.0), I still have some time before Vera is heading home. I’m getting a lot of information on their ancestry, even more when I tell them I’m from the old countries. Then I get some information about Canada as well and about the wine country along the lakes Skaha and Okanagan and the cities Oliver, Penticton, Kelowna. This is also a very nice area to go hiking and camping.

Later on we say goodbye and before heading back to the apartment I buy a couple 1L cans with beer. I catch bus back and are so astound about the Canadians – they are loudly saying “Thank you” when leaving the bus… but, but, why?!

Even though I’m running a half an hour late, I’m still back to the apartment before Vera who should have gotten off work at 4 pm. Thus I’m at home when she comes rushing into the place like she always does. She immediately starts on the lasagna that we’ll bring to the evenings event bit when I quietly mentions about all the butter, milk and cheese she’s going to put into the meal – she get’s a little quite. But we solve it by giving me a portion of the filling together with some pasta before we leave for the event. We are almost finished with the meal when also Fredrik arrives from work and after some socialising we notice that we are a little late and step up our pace to leave. Having carried the big – and it was big – lasagna on two fairly full buses we arrive to V & F’s friends place and I get to know, Alexander (the man of the evening who has finished his work and is going back to Germany), Timo’s Anna, Austrian Anna, Olympian Anna, French Kevin, Maya, Canadian Amanda, Amanda’s Greg, Daniela from Chile, Scotty (from Canada I think), Chinese Su (who arrived a little later), the guy from Nepal (who also arrived later). Most of the group is a tight group of people who all work in one or the other lab on level 4 (that’s really all they say even though I don’t ask much more about it) on UBC. It’s eating, it’s drinking (Daniela is getting out not only a very nice Pisco but also a really nice Tequila), socialising, dancing, and then there’s the “Mafia game” which we are all part of playing.

Vera leaves a little earlier and so me and Fred are with the guy from Nepal the last to leave Alex (who is sleeping at Daniela & Scotty’s place, where we have been having the party) and fortunately we don’t miss the two connecting buses – which would have left us pretty no choice in either wait for an hour or taking a taxi.

Last night I was over at Grönbergs for some nice socialising with Per, Angelina, Sebastian and Stella. I arrived early after work with my beloved Van Damme that was going to snooze at their place for my vacation. Van Damme had lost his resting place at the garage due to some new construction that MKB is performing in my neighbourhood and having him alone on the street for three weeks was not something I relished. This was a good thing too, I was fed an awesome dinner at Grönbergs along with some nice French wines I had found on the temporary assortment rack at Systembolaget.

Thursday morning went sort of like I figured it since I had laid out my stuff earlier in the week and I figured I had thought about everything. Clothes for Vancouver (including some small things in case we would go skiing) which meant clothes like the ones we use in Malmö right now. Clothes for Isla Mujeres which meant beach clothes, pretty much. Then some small things for Las Vegas – but I’m going to have to go shopping for my conference week there, I really don’t have enough clothes for this part of the trip. Then of course, I could not live without my books but I’m only bringing three. Since I’ll be living with Vera & Fredrik in Vancouver I had to bring something for them and well, I know what to bring Vera and after questioning Fredrik – well, then nothing for him So I packed the last parts of my bag with Kexchoklad which is a craving that Vera caught when living in Sweden.

Sitting at home fixing the last things I figured I’d check the IslandAir homepage just in case. Well I go to the check in (I had already checked in last night on my mobile) to make sure nothing is wrong with the flights and all. Noticing that the boarding is 12:25 and the luggage drop ends at 11:15. So there I am sitting comfortably in my sofa thinking I’ve got time to leisure around. Then I’m getting stressed, what if there are problems with the trains, long queues at the baggage drop or security check-in? I water my plants, turn down the radiators, make sure my passport is packed (that is really all you need) and with my bag on my back and the waste in my hand I head out from my apartment.

I have to hurry to Triangeln, since I only have about 12 minutes to walk there to catch the 9:56 train, thus getting a little too warm than I wanted to. But no worries, I’m there in time. Fortunately IslandAir is a Star Alliance partner and the baggage drop is at Terminal 3 without any queue! Everything is going like a clock even though the security queues are long, but then at that point I don’t really have any stress since I’m pretty much finished. Either I’m just used to it or most people travelling at this time have actually been to a security check before. Most people know what to do, at least in my queue and we move forward fairly quick and easy.

There are a few things that I did realise on the train to CPH airport, a few things I have really forgotten. One – the power adapter! Oh well, one can not have too many of those right! Two – a note book and pen for my travel blog. The adapter has been purchased along with some sun screen and an extra shower cream (not really needed but eh, why not it is nice to smell good at after getting out of the shower).

I use the borrowed Priority Pass to gain access to the Aviators lounge between A and B concords and have my morning coffee and then some red wine – one of the best sleeping pills for travelling. At this point I feel really good. I’ve not yet been able to switch from my work phone to my private but after my transfer in Reykjavik that’ll happen real quick.

The Aviators Lounge was not really big but had quite a few seats and most were occupied. I got a seat at a table with another fellow. A few glasses of red wine later for both of us and we got to talking. Funny thing, we never presented our names to each other, but we did talk about our jobs and why we were travelling. He was a captain for a fishing ship (he did correct me when I said boat) in the northern seas, working for a company on both Danish and Islandic waters. He’d been in Denmark for mandatory education, both legal and medical, and was now heading home. It was a nice chat to pass the time before boarding the flight – which later was shown to be 30 minutes late from CPH Airport.

IcelandAir have comfortable seats even for coach, that is good legroom, let’s see how it’ll be for the longer flight to Vancouver. I had a very lovely couple next to me, meaning they snuggled all the way to Reykjavik. So I enjoyed my book and some music, but also a brought apple and some nuts, along side some water and a Black Label of course.

Off the plane in Reykjavik we find a very Nordic or Scandinavian airport, real pretty with a a lot of light wood. I easily find my way to the correct terminal and find a bar close to my gate where I try out the Islandic beer Snorri. It’s OK, some kind of lager, I think, but I’m uncertain. According to Untapped it’s a spiced beer, whatever that’s supposed to mean. The time between leaving the first flight until boarding the next is only about 50 minutes, which is nice, but it does not give me much time exploring the terminal or airport.

Oh My God! What luxurious toilets! Big, clean, just really awesome, for being airport toilets, or for any public toilets.

The flight to Vancouver is actually quite nice as well. I’ve booked the aisle seat as usual and a lady from Holland (yes, she says Holland and not the Netherlands) has the window seat – which means that no-one has booked the middle seat which is awesome! We got to talking a bit as well and she’s going to Vancouver to house & pet-sit. It sounds a little bit weird but, hey, whatever rocks your boat right? It’s nice to have someone to chat with a bit, but I do read my book, watch the movie “Sunshine” (and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it before, but I’ll give it a 6 on IMDB) and try to sleep for a while – which does not really pan out.

Arriving to Canada I’m thinking that it’ll be difficult with both migration and customs, but no, all those “Border control” shows is not showing the true story and I’m through both real quick.

Outside security I’m happily welcomed by Vera & Fredrik who’s had a problem coming down to fetch me – or rather, they had a problem with parking the rental car. We’re chatting away to the car where they let me know that we are going to a local brewery called Dogwood. The drive there goes on bigger roads but also through industrial areas with a lot of four-way stops in the intersections but also three-way stops in four-way intersections. At Dogwood I try out the flight with all their current beers; Honey (light, sweet, 3.0), Fest (flowery, hops, 3.4), IPA (light, high bitterness, 2.1), Stout (watery, coffee, 2.1), Lemon ginger sour (lemony, 2.9) and the London Fog (bubble gum, earl grey, 1.5). Here we also try out their organic pizza, I’m ordering the pineapple and pepperoni as well as an additional Fest since that’s the one I liked the most.

Heading home to Vera and Fredrik we stop by a local grocery and liquor store since we are supposedly going to a small gathering on Friday.

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.