Thanks to you...
by blint
OK so you are all used to me moaning about the amount of resort tourists and ex-pats that arrive here from northern Europe who don't learn Spanish and only export their culture here, but now I am going to say a very big thank you very much to them, why? Because they have improved a lot of animals lives and in fact saved a great deal as well. It is no joke. Everywhere where there is a high number of say German and British ex-pats, there are more dog shelters and residences (pet hotels) giving the owners no excuse to abandon their dogs to go on holiday (which is a common cause of people abandoning their dogs in Spain) and keeps them off the streets.
Did you know that Spain exports most of it's abandoned dogs to Germany where they are cared for very well. I'm serious, they even come over here to collect them and fly them back. At the dog shelter I worked (run by a German lady) in Granada we sent most of our dogs there. At first I was suspicious as to why such a phenomenon would occur, until I saw photos and post cards of the dogs enjoying their new life in leafy green Germany. Every vet or shelter workers says the same...the dogs and cats are mainly adopted by Germans.
So thank you very much for setting up the afore said shelters, dog residences and raising awareness in the Costs del Sol. Not to mention a big thanks to all the kind-hearted Germans who have saved many animals here.
Randomly enough there are also more animal accessory shops here too!
Just goes to show there is good and bad in everything ;)
http://www.ace-charity.org/en/home.asp
http://www.padcatsanddogs.org/
http://www.sos-animals.org/
http://www.costadelsolnews.es/classifieds/000000936d0c8373c/index.html
Things for a weekend in January etc
by suvanki
I travelled hand luggage only with Monarch airlines-so essentials only-10KG limit including handbag/laptop.The same with many budget airlines that land in Malaga. Vacuum roll bags are useful for condensing the size of clothes etc, but keep an eye on the weight of your luggage.
Cargo pants/coat or jacket with big pockets are useful for stashing your heavier items
Day sac for out and about... Layers is the way to go-Sunny one moment, chilly/rainy the next!
Waterproof coat/umbrella
comfy waterproof shoes/boots
'Walking gear' that will dry out quickly if it rains, is preferable to jeans etc.
Cutting down on weight carried-wear heaviest items for your flight, plain long sleeved tops that can be jazzed up with scarves or jewellry for night time. Tops and bottoms that you can mix and match. Crease free or crinkle materials - who wants to iron on a trip away?
Sunglasses - the January sun was quite low and very bright at times Our apartment didn't have soap/shampoo-and the shops don't seem to offer small bottles of shampoo etc., so bring with you.
Plenty of pharmacies in Torremolinos - bring your medication and prescription.
- Plan for airport delays etc when packing your pills-bring an extra days supply.
There are Medical centres in case of emergency. There appeared to be a lack of photographic shops in Torremolinos-I was trying to find somewhere that stocked SD cards-didn't find anywhere! I did see disposable cameras in the supermarkets and some gift shops.
Bring as much as you can-There are photogenic opps in Torremolinos! Camping in January is not really advised, though I'm sure some might disagree!
We did see a few sun worshippers, and a few youngsters braving the sea.
There were some surfers too! (pic 3) Binoculars-for views from Apt balcony etc
Bubble wrap-for pottery etc
Good old American chain Restaurant Burger King
by Waalewiener about Burger King .
Well what can I say ,it was Burger King ,you find these Hamburger restaurants all over the world in many countries .
It is an American chain restaurant and they sell mainly Burgers in various ways .
The burgers are good juicy and BIG ,but too many can be well you know what I mean eh. I just went in for a Strawberry Milkshake
these are my favorites Milk shakes ,yummy yummy .
Just sitting outside and enjoying a good Milk Shake .
Cold Weather Beach Activities (Go Fly a Kite) etc.
by hquittner
You may be staying in Torremolinos during off-season. This does not means that you should not walk down to the waters edge. We arrived ob n the first day of spring. Thre breeze was invigorating. Some days later our overnight trip to Tangier was postponed due to a strong 3 day northwest wind (see dangers tip) but it did not prevent a long walk on the Paseo Maritimo (see Tip). On that walk we saw kites being flown ( almost always a fun beach activity). Eating at a beach restaurant or better yet just buying a handfull of grilled sardines is fun if you like fish (see Restaurant Tip). It is amazing that there are hardy souls who can still sunbathe on a cold windy beach behind a little wind barrier! Ogling is free. Or you can watch or look at the sand sculptures (fee?)
Avenida Jesus Santos Rein
by suvanki
Exiting half way along Calle San Miguel, we turned Left into this broad pedestrianized street. (Calle San Miguel continues to Plaza Costa del Sol)
This is where the Torremolinos Train Station is located - I was surprised to come across this, it looked more like a Metro station than a mainline train station. Well at least I now know that the train from Malaga deposits passengers to Torremolinos in a central destination, and not on the outskirts. (We had a complimentary shuttle service from the airport to Bonjadillo Appartments (and return) but this is worth knowing about if I was to stop elsewhere)
Train info to be added soon...
This Avenida had some attractive features-Sculptures, ironwork lamp posts and a fountain, plus the shiny stone inserts between the paving stones.
From The Avenida Jesus Santos Rein, we head straight into Plaza de la Europea...
Hostal Micaela - tiled plaques and picture detail
Plaza del Panorama
Calle San Miguel
Not quite Hawaii.....
