Ojen, Marbella and Malaga Spain: June 2018

After some fun and games getting to Spain and a couple of aborted landings into Gibraltar we landed into Malaga and sorted out the car hire and two hours later we were off to Ojen. Climbing up the mountain side we spotted the hillside white Village glimmering in the afternoon sun and made our way into its winding streets following our good friend google maps…mistake but ended up in the car park eventually and called our host to pick us up in the buggy.

Richard from Posadas del angel was the perfect host and pointed out all the sights of this small village and when we arrived at the Hotel it certainly lived up to the photo and review expectations. Once inside it also delivered with a lovely courtyard dining area and rooftop patios as well. We settled in and then went wandering and found a nice seafood meal at El Tunel and then had a further walk through the streets before heading back to the hotel for a glass of wine on the patio before turning in after a very hectic past three days getting here.

I went for a walk around the narrow lanes before breakfast and then enjoyed a simple yet very nice meal in the courtyard before exploring some more of the town and visiting the caves of Ojen on the side of the hill and enjoyed the views over the rooftops to the sea. After further wanderings we had lunch and checked out the church and more caves along the water course and explored just about every nook ad cranny in town.

It has a real Greek island feel to the way the streets twist and turn and dates back to the Moors and what they called their cubed housing structures. All white and clean and very confusing for Pirates. we visited the caves and admired the views over the town and back to the coast.

It was off to Marbella on our last day to check out the old town and the beaches. The old town had a very ornate church and the altar and over the top decorations and finery made it very clear why the reformation happened in other parts of Europe but was stifled here due to the power the church had over the monarchy, and hence the various inquisitions that took place. Apart from that the presence of the Moors is always there with churches being converted mosques and the castle turned into a monastery.

The squares an old Mudjar buildings are all restored now and it was classic Mediterranean tourist zone but in a very tasteful way with some funky shops, plenty of restaurants and flowers everywhere. It had a great vibe and not as overrun by poms as we thought. Mostly French from what we heard. I think all the poms are locked away in the multitude of resorts that offer all inclusive packages so no need to leave the pool and explore the locality.

We had a lovely lunch in a Michelin star restaurant called Aderezzo and continued to explore its lovely lanes. The beach was typical grey sand Mediterranean and wind blown so we passed on a swim. It was then back to Ojen for a well earned rest before a meal at El Tunel again.

It was off to Malaga next for just the one night staying at the Hotel Palacete de Álamos which was located not far from the Alcazabar. We wandered around town and came across a massive Corpus Christi procession in all its splendour before making our way to the Arab baths Hammam to make a booking for that night. We came across some amazing buildings and the whole place was a vibrant buzz.

We visited the malaga Cathedral during the Corpus Christi mass and then lunched at El Pimpi restaurant which comes highly recommended and it did not a disappoint. This was located adjacent to the Ancient Roman Theatre so John had a good look around after lunch before Ann went back for a rest and John headed up the trail to the Gibralfaro Castello high on the hill

It was a hot day and it was an exhausting climb up especially when you think you find a short cut that is a long cut!!!. But it was worth it and the views and the battlement structures were very impressive.

We had booked into the Hammam at 8pm for 90 minutes and enjoyed a stroll along the waterfront before the massage and  baths and which was very very good and then ate at a very nice outdoor restaurant La Parrilla de mane just outside the cathedral. Wandering around at night in a Spanish city is always great value and the life at 11pm was electric but for us it was off to bed.

We had booked into the Museo de Picasso the next day and managed to take a leisurely tour of the galleries before spending a few hours at the Alcazabar exploring every nook and cranny we could find of the fascinating moorish palace, we then had lunch at Pan y mermelda cafe next to the hotel. It was then back to the car and off to Ronda. Malaga was a real surprise and nothing like what we imagined

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