Granada to Nerja ….. and a full day in Nerja
Categories Spain 2017.....walking, driving, training, buses, Spain 2024, 2017October 30, 2017
Granada was a very nice city to visit (the Alhambra being a must-do!!), the hotel functioned perfectly but felt rather cold….somewhat soulless in comparison with some of our other lodgings….in any event, another sterling day as we prepared to leave for Nerja. This is a resort town along southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, considered one of the very few that has not been grossly overbuilt.
Grabbed a taxi to the bus station (7 Euros) and had breakfast there which was quite ok >>> tostadas, chocolate pastry and coffee. Another bus ride of about 2 hours to Nerja. The bus left on schedule and it was a pleasant drive through the land of seemingly never-ending sun to Nerja. About a 25 minute walk and there is our hotel down a laneway in an ideal location very close to the Balcona de Europa. This is a seafront promenade atop a promontory with views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains>>> a key feature of this town. Smooth check-in, the checker inner is efficient and pleasant, providing map, info etc.
Unload our stuff and out the door, heading out via the town square and church to take in some of the sea views, first from the Balcona de Europa……..no more monuments just fun in the sun !!!
…Annie and her new friend…….and of course Moosie up to no good…
…we settled on a spot for lunch but have to endure a way too long wait for our media raciones > Annie lashed them on Tripadvisor, BUT, the camarones were delicious, as was my egg dish. Then checked out some more of the promenade…
…and headed back to the hotel for a rest > at which point I developed a bad pain in my ankle and knee > gout ??? no more beer > Indomethacin + hot shower + Tylenol + 2 shots clear gin >>> now I am good to go for dinner. Annie made sure the resto was at the other end of town, so got a good workout of 40 minutes return trip… haha. For all that a rather disappointing meal, actually touted to be excellent burgers (Momo Burger), which we found to be average but a nice evening walk through this seaside town.
October 31, 2017
The morning is stunning and the legs are rated B+, nice cold buffet + limitless coffees and we are off on a walkabout. Today there is a cheese exposition: buy a 5 Euro ticket, get a glass of wine/beer and taste local cheeses at each of the tents…..as we walked through the square mass was just finishing and there was quite a rush to the tents to taste and drink….we were quite tempted to join in but settled on buying a hunk of cheese to take home (super good/super cheap)…
…then onwards to buy our bus tickets for Malaga > and then to the Playa Burriana about a 20 minute walk from the bus ticket kiosk through quiet streets which offer a mix of tourist and locals accommodation, shops etc…
… and then down towards the beach, the largest in Nerja and a mix of commercial fishers and seaside shops, rentals, restos etc. We had read about a resto which specializes in paella on the beach and as we got there the paella pans were simmering big time, but not quite ready …
…finally, it is ready and we each have the paella and a super cold bottle of house white which we slowly finish, with our feet in the sand and the sun warming our backs …
……only then does Annie tell me it was an all you can eat place, oh well, probably had enough anyway >> the place apparently is a local legend, with the owner serving up this format for the last 30 years and intending to do so until he dies ….so you all will have a chance to give it a try > Ayo’s is the name and the price is right as this set us back 23 Euros.
A slowwww walk back taking the opportunity to stop at every lookout, and, oh yeah, check out a real estate office or two, so I guess we like it here …….. it would make a nice spot to chill for a few weeks as there are several beaches within walking distance and a few towns worth visiting a short bus ride away…
A last look from the terrace of the hotel then an unexciting dinner and an early night as tomorrow is a travel day…
