h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi there,

Thought I'd pop over here rather than hijack my own thread .

How long will you have - a week? And you will be flying into Malaga again?

Anyhoodle, this is my suggestion (which of course you are welcome to take or leave). That if you hire a car in Malaga you drive to Tarifa for lunch and a bit of a walk around and then make your way to Bolonia and spend the night there - I know a great place to stay and also a fab restaurant. The most beautiful thing about Bolonia is the Roman ruins that go right down to the beach - really worth visiting. Then you can carry on to Zahara de los Atunes, Los Caños de Mecca, Conil (my favourite beach) and then on to Cádiz city, which is also gorgeous. Here are some photos we took there when I took Noggin there for a day last year for his birthday.

http://public.fotki.com/azahar/trips/cadiz/

From Cádiz city you are only about an hour and a half way from Seville, but you might also want to turn off and visit Jerez on the way and then take 'La Ruta de Los Pueblos Blancos' rather than the motorway. It's the old motorway that passes by all these lovely 'white villages' and apparently stopping off in Arcos is worthwhile (though I've never been there myself).

Anyhow, I hope I'm not coming across as 'pushy' (you *must* see this, you *must* do that!) - I'm only wanting to give you guys a lot of information so you can make your own decisions with a bit more knowledge about various places.

The costa de la luz is so unlike the costa del sol - it's not nearly as touristy and the villages and beaches are quite gorgeous. The sand on this coast is much finer and a golden colour (in Marbella, Malaga it's kind of grey and dirty looking).

One warning! The main reason this area isn't so built up tourist-wise is (I think) because of the Levante - which is a very strong hot wind that affects this area. When it blows it is actually impossible to even walk on the beach - I've only experienced it once and MAN, IT HURTS! But as long as there is no Levante you will have the best time there. I promise.


az

Good idea on not hi-jacking your own thread, I've hi jacked enough of them over the years that I know how it can effect people

We are looking at approximately a week, my son would be with us and we are looking at a few days on the Coast then heading on the train for Seville.

I know what you mean about the beaches on the Costa, so golden sands very attractive.

So far we have looked at flight options from Belfast to Malaga, going vis London is a real pain at times paticularly so with Chris being with us, he loves flying but changing planes is a nightmare.

Going to sit down and do some serious research this weekend, Linda has to be back for the Saturday, but we have from the last Thursday in May to play with.

Have been looking also at some of the tour options, suprisingly little difference cost wise from Easyjet, but I'd say this is becaus it's a bank holiday weekend.

Full details will follow be assured.

So, howdit go at the doctor's? Any news?

az

It's at one of those "can't find anything wrong" moments, which th medical profession over here seem to atribute to a viral infection.

I've had loads of tests, x-rays and stuff and they are fine which is good to know, so yesterday they drew a load more blood and have sent it away with another sample of bodily fluid which I won't mention on here for in depth testing!

Results are due back Tuesday, if nothing showing it's a case of wait and see how things go.

To add to it all, I now have a streaming cold

Oh dear - well you and Noggin are in the same boat then. He's been quite poorly the past couple of days with a bad stuffy cold and a bit of a fever. Of course I am doing my thing and he found the Bushmills actually helped clear his sinuses somewhat.

Isn't it totally frustrating when doctors can't find out what is wrong with you?

Are you at least able to eat okay these days?


az

ave not had much of an appetite since we got back, don't think I had anything Monday or Tuesday, but it is coming back a bit and right now for the first time in a week I'm starving, so LS is on her way over with kids in tow and we are heading to the local for a meal. My youngest is here this evening so looking forward to it, he has not seen her or hers in a couple of weeks.

Hope the Bush works it's usual magic for Noggin, I found after half a bottle you don't notice the runny nose, don't notice much actually....

Just an update, I appear to be on the mend with a return of appetite and the ability to drive without the window down and turning green.

Just booked a package for us to Benalmadena on the 25th of May, we have 7 nights so plenty of time to relax and catch the train to other venues.

Hope Noggin is back to full health.

Glad to hear you're feeling better, Dai.

And yes, Noggin is now fully recovered.

I looked up Benalmadena on the Andalucia webpage.

http://www.andalucia.com/benalmadena/home.htm

Apparently you'll also be very close to Mijas, which I am told is wonderful and so worth a visit.

http://www.andalucia.com/mijas/pueblo.htm

And some lovely photos of Mijas here.

http://fotos.euroresidentes.com/fotos/costa_del_sol/mijas/



az

Iv'e never stayed in Benalmadena before but have visited it over the years along with most of the areas on the Costa as my mother used to live in Los Boliches so I was a regular visitor.

Mijas is very beautiful and worth a visit, the views are spectacular so it will be on the to do list.

LS will be on later I'm sure so will point her to the links.

7 weeks today we will be there! Yay!

Yeah well, you know me, I'm not really a "sunbathe by the pool" sort of holiday maker, but this one's for C's benefit and I'm happy just to have some battery recharging time scheduled in: work is very demanding and my 2 even more so at the minute.

A little bit of sightseeing and local culture will suit me just fine