dots and spots: MALAGA!!

Malaga baby!!

So we received an email from Ryanair, buy one get one half price on tickets, annoyingly we missed out because it was a timed session, Jeff was in the middle of parents evening, so couldn't book. Anyway, it got us looking, lots of cheap flights, Valencia our preferred destination was difficult, a late flight back on the Saturday, I have work early on the Sunday but Malaga was doable!!! Why not? We don't exchange gifts for birthdays or Christmas anymore, so a little gift to us and Jeff can practice his Spanish. It looked very festive at Christmas too.

Sadly the weather wasn't to be on our side, rain and thunderstorms forecast,

with sunshine either side of our three days.

The flight out was the worst I have experienced, huge turbulence as we flew through the thunderstorms I assume, so much so, the whole plane clapped the pilot once we landed, with relief. We got through passport checks really quickly and went in search of the train to take us into Malaga itself. Just 2 euros 30 and no more than 15 minutes journey time, super easy.

The apartment we booked was just a 5 minute walk from the station, absolute gem of a find. Super stylish, and spacious, and just 205 euros for 3 nights. As the forecast was for rain our entire stay and as it was dry, we headed straight out to see the lights, just in case the weather was horrible later.

WOW!!!

Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

I'll share more later but it was worth flying out for the lights alone!

The football was on, Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, so lots of celebrations going on!!

So Wednesday, our first full day in Malaga and Aceite y tomate to start!

It rained, not really bad but glad we took a brolly.

As it was wet, we headed off to the Picasso museum.

Jeff got to practice reading his written Spanish

and I got to see his work!

Picasso!

After a coffee, we found the Mercado Central de Ataraxanas....

.......Malaga's food market, a complete assault on the senses.

So much colour, love a Food Hall!

We did buy some figs and clementines for a snack later

It dried up enough to wander around the streets, so much art....

...... and sculpture.....

.....around every corner.

Always look up and behind you!!

You don't know what you might miss!

I loved the Centre Pompidou, which was erected in 2015.

This splash of colour down by the Marina

We didn't go inside but maybe next time!

My favourite art form was the Malaga Marina Walkway......

......which snakes it's way from the city down to the Marina.

Simple but stunning.

We walked all along the marina down to the sea. It was damp and grey, so we didn't venture any further but I imagine it would be busy in the better weather.

We walked back, through the streets of the city, past numerous orange trees laden with fruit.

Too high to pick, seemed such a waste! Had a rest back at the apartment, got soaked walking back, so dried off, Jeff had a snooze, then headed back into town for the evening for food and to enjoy the lights.

The lights were beyond my expectations. I will be honest, I pretty much left it up to Jeff to research this trip, as it was so last minute and I was still working the hour up to heading to the airport! But I'm so glad we went and would definitely book a trip this time next year. I've never been away so close to Christmas but as long as I'm super organised in the weeks leading up to it, it's the perfect pre-Christmas break

So Thursday, our second and last full day.

Again we had our favourite, tomatoes on toast for breakfast.

We had the full day to explore, so first up find the Cathedral!!

and the museum!

We didn't go in either, just looked!

We did however catch the number 35 bus to......

....the Castle or Gibralfaro, on the top of this hill.

We started off in rain, in fact as we stepped off the bus it began to rain.....

....but it stopped enough for us to wander along the castle walls....

....take in the fabulous views......

......and work out where we walked the day before!

We meandered our way back down the path (thank goodness we got the bus up!!!)

which was quite steep in parts, thankfully not slippy, down to ....

......the Alcazaba, "a palatial fortification" it's one of the best-preserved alcazabas in Spain" apparently. Was lovely to walk around, beautiful details and nice to see the sunshine albeit still quite grey x