Nerja Warnings Or Dangers

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It was Saturday morning on Dec. 27th when we made our little driving excursion to the 'white village' of Cómpeta, and it turned out to be quite busy due to the local market being in full-swing. The number of farmers vehicles parked here and there combined with the old twisting and narrow Moorish streets on on the hillside made for quite a driving experience. On more than one occasion we found ourselves at small dead-end plazas where goods were set up for sale and just getting turned around was a trick in some cases.

We finally found a street away from the worst of the bustle with a parking spot open, not far from the hotel where we decided to have lunch. It was after 1 PM by the time we finished our meal and decided to head back to the coast. As we left our parking spot I saw a sign pointing further up the hillside with words like 'circumnavigation route' on it, I guess meaning that you could skirt around the main part of Cómpeta that way. However, for some reason I decided that I wanted to go back through town again.

As we headed downhill on the twisting streets, it was not long before I was lost and the streets seemed to be getting narrower all the time. After a while I noticed that there were no other cars in sight and that old women and small children were scattering in front of us! By this stage, the downward slope was very steep and there was no way I would be able to reverse uphill around all the narrow turns I had negotiated. Things got worse as the 'street' became so narrow that I scraped a bit of paint off the rear passenger wheelwell on one of the turns. This was as scared as I became on our entire trip, with visions of coming to a set of steps for pedestrians only and no way to reverse out - in my mind I could see a helicopter rescue lift coming!

I breathed a sigh of relief as no steps appeared and we finally came around a corner where the street widened again - I could see civilization ahead! I tried to avoid narrow streets like those in any other towns after that experience! The strange thing about renting a car in Spain is that no damage check is required to be made before you first drive away in your rental. Sure enough, when I successfully returned it more than a week later I simply handed the keys over and walked away! The 2nd photo shows a rear view of our Ford Focus rental car a couple of days later after we drove down the coast to the Tarifa area.

please please make sure to double check that you lock all doors and windows before going out. i know this sounds like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs but be very careful. these people are very shrewd, they know villas etc are often left unattended for hours at a time and if out of season you may find yourself in an isolated position. i recentley rented a beutiful villa in ladera del mar but i returned home one night and found that i had had an unwanted visitor. the villa was the only one in use in the whole street at the time, again be very careful, when you go out take all cameras etc with you, i was very lucky the little toads didnt find anything to steal i had it all with me.

Whilst enjoying the sights and sounds at the Nerja tuesday market it is well to be aware of the rose sellers ;mainly female ;Whilst trying to convince the unsuspecting 'customer ' to buy a rose their accomplice is quietly sizing up the possibility of lifting the said customers wallet.It is always a good idea not to keep wallets or purses in any pocket but preferably to use what has become to be known as a 'bum bag'.

Not really a danger just a WARNING... don't get too drunk and think your friends have paid for the round of beers because they are thinking the same as you! About an hour after leaving a bar (only having one bottle of beer each) we were picked up by the police in Tutti Fruitti square and escorted back to our hotel in the back of a ford fiesta. can't remember too much but think Gary gave them a few pesetas and they disappeared (after an hour!!)

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There are several requirements that the motorist should be aware of whilst driving in Spain and also some pitfalls to beware of.

I have detailed all that I can think of in my 'Tourist Traps' section and thought it may be relevent to make a note of this in 'Warnings or Dangers'.

I have provided a Link to take you accross there below.

Although Nerja is designated as a villiage, it suffers from an amount of oportunist crime as does anywhere.

Handbag snatching seems to be the latest crime in Nerja from pairs of youths on motor bikes who will take your handbag whilst riding past a victim without stopping.

Beware when visiting the Markets as pickpockets operate there.

I advise when carrying money do NOT use a handbag.

If you are out late at night, always be aware of persons loitering or following you. nine times out of ten the situation will be completely innocent but DO be alert. Walk in groups is always a good idea anywhere late at night.

Pedestrian crossings fall into 2 catagories.

On one hand there are the croosings with traffic light control. These are safe. When the 'green man' is illuminated, then it is perfectly safe to cross that section of road, as it should be.

However, there is also the none controled crossings. The ones with just the white markings on the road. These can be anything BUT safe. Unlike in England, you do NOT have the right to cross if you are already on the crossing. It is up to the motorist to let you cross.

Motorists may stop to let you cross but BEWARE. Just because the traffic in one direction has stopped for you to cross, it does not mean that traffic in the other direction is going to do the same. So WAIT until both directions have come to a halt before you cross. Even then, keep a sharp look out, as motorcyclists have been known to overtake stationary traffic ON PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.

One particular Wit once wrote that as far as the usefulness of uncontrolled crossings goes in Spain, he observed that they were just another place for cars to park!

I know that one of the high priorities on many peoples minds is to get in the Sun as fast as they can and for as long as they can to get a tan to be proud of when they return home. But.........

BEWARE OF THE SUN !

If you are fair skinned or even if not, USE Sun protection cream or lotion BEFORE hitting the beach. Even if just walking around town you can suffer from the Suns effects.

Buy and wear a Hat or Cap to protect the top of your head.

DO NOT sunbathe on the first day for more than TEN MINUTES ! I know that does not seem a lot of time but to avoid looking like a lobster and feeling itchy and uncomfortable, ten minutes only is recommended. Then gradually lengthen the time each day.

Remember that when in the Sea or Pool, the water acts like a mirror and reflects extra Ultraviolet back at you.

Seawater having a high salt concentration, has the same effect as putting salt on Pork Crackling ! So shower off as soon as you come out of the sea or saltwater swimming pool. By the way, beware of the little showers on the beach. They are intended for removing sand and are SALT water; so a shower in your apartment / hotel is better unless you are CERTAIN that the water is not salty!