Nerja 🇪🇸

 

Today we woke to sunshine! 🎉🎉

We caught a bus to Nerja (1hr+ away) which mainly follows the coastal road.  The sun was making the ocean sparkle and beautiful blues and green colours 😊

We caught a taxi to the Nerja Caves which were only discovered in 1959 by some local boys who found their way into a cave.  The series of massive caves are over 4 KMs deep and contain cave paintings and the largest stalactite/stalactite in the world, as it has joined and formed a solid column measuring 32m.  The caves walk takes you deep underground and was very impressive.

We decided to walk back to town which initially was on a wide footpath beside the main road and then branched off beside a small aqueduct and a narrow country lane.that eventually dropped down to the Playa Carabeo beach. 

The water colour is gorgeous and the water pretty cold still.  We wandered up the beach before grabbing a gelato 😊

Next stop was a walk through the old town of Nerja and then to the 'Balcony of Europe' for stunning views of the coastline.  We zoomed back in time for our bus back to Malaga.

A wander along the port to the colourful Centre Pompidou before collecting our luggage from storage and catching the train to the airport.

A fabulous way to finish our Spanish adventure ☀️

Now off to Italy🇮🇹  on a late flight.

Malaga 🇪🇸 day 2

Easter Sunday in Malaga Spain 🎉

On Sundays museums and art galleries have free sessions at various times throughout the day.  Malaga has 36 museums and so we read through the list and chose a few to visit as the rain continued today.

Firstly we visited the Museum of Malaga.  This stunning museum was only opened 7 years ago in a property that has been a Customs office, a convent and a Palace and now houses an art gallery and archaeological museum.  The art work is beautiful with many Spanish artists represented. 

Many of the archaeological artifacts are from a donated private collection.

Next we visited the Museo Ravello de Toro.  This art gallery is housed in a stunning stately property that was once a home with a floor dedicated to an art school. 

Back to our apartment for some lunch and dry off.

Then to the Alcazabar (fortress) and the Castillo de Gibralfaro (castle).  These two huge walled structures are in great condition.. the Alcazabar is a labyrinth of paths and rooms and gardens and lookouts. 

The castle has double walls and is high on the hill.  Very steep roads and hundreds of stairs.  The view to the harbour is beautiful and would be even better on a sunny day 😊

Then to the Pablo Picasso museum (queued for 1hour for the free tickets).  A huge collection of his varied works - ceramics, painting on wood, with oils and water colours.

We had dinner at Antonio Banderas restaurant "El Pimpi", ordering the recommended seafood platter.  Beautiful restaurant and food.

The rain stopped tonight allowing the Semana Santa Easter parade to be held.  It seemed to be a sombre silent procession tonight which seems in contrast to the message of Easter Sunday where Christians celebrate that Jesus has risen.  Interesting to observe traditions.

A fabulous day 🎉