17 December ’05, Saturday.
Marbella, probably the most “polished” or “glitzy” town we have been in yet. There is no doubt that there are lots of people with loads of money living in and around this town. The newness of everything in the “new” town in contrast to the old of “old town” helps make this an enjoyable outing. Yesterday we caught our bus into town about 11am. Driving down the freeway, Louise mentioned a terrible noise that was coming from the engine compartment of the bus. “It’s just a fan belt slipping”… About 30 seconds later, the bus driver was waving us off the bus… I don’t know what it was all about, but about 40 of us were escorted by foot to the next stop and were told to wait for the next bus. Well, that’s another first for us… Arriving in Marbella, we had a small street market going on at the plaza right in front of us. One of the stands was operated by the Tourist Information Office, so we got our faithful map and headed off for the “old town” first. “A” typical old town, buildings from the 14th to 15th century, narrow streets, lots of little stores and restaurants on the main floor, apartments above, and everything painted white. About 6 churches and more than a dozen “plaza’s” make up the rest of the area. There is a small portion of the old walls, but the castle is gone. There were a few people walking the streets and plaza areas, but overall it was pretty quiet. We found a table in the main square that had half sun and half shade and decided that it was lunch time. Nothing exciting, a chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches that did their thing in filling the tummy, but unfortunately that was about it. Then it was time to head for the new part of town…the “polished and glitzy”. This part of town runs from the main road that splits the town in half, down to the boardwalk and the marinas. The new part is also divided in half, the east side and the west side, and in between them is a beautiful green space, fountains, water feature that runs down the street about 200 yards, and about 20 bronze sculptures that are placed every 20 yards or so until you reach the boardwalk. All the shops, hotels, apartments, and condominiums are priced for those the “have”, but those that don’t can sure enjoy looking… The beach that runs for miles both ways is absolutely beautiful. The golden sand and the green/blue crystal clear water make you want to stop and enjoy immediately were you stand. One thing interesting, yesterday we walked down the beach from the campground (which is about 75 yards from our van) and we came upon a sailboat that had washed up on the beach. Unfortunately it is now a total loss to someone, but this afternoon, while walking the boardwalk here in Marbella, we came upon another sailboat. This one had run aground on the breakwater in front of the town…complete write-off… It would be interesting to know the story behind both of them. Last time we came upon a sailboat beached, was 2 years ago in Cabo San Lucas…it seems like just yesterday. About 5, we caught the bus back to “Bumble Bee”, and got ready to make dinner…one of my favorites, spaghetti. A note of interest (our at least it was to us…), we met one of our neighbors, and they have quite a story to tell…they have shipped their motor home to the states twice, and traveled extensively in the US, Canada, and Mexico for over 2 years total. They even drove the highway to Alaska one year. The favorite place that they visited was a little village area just north of Puerto Viagra….(just checking to see who’s reading this…) They are from Switzerland, and have also visited each and every country that we have been in…now that is vagabonding !
Marbella, probably the most “polished” or “glitzy” town we have been in yet. There is no doubt that there are lots of people with loads of money living in and around this town. The newness of everything in the “new” town in contrast to the old of “old town” helps make this an enjoyable outing. Yesterday we caught our bus into town about 11am. Driving down the freeway, Louise mentioned a terrible noise that was coming from the engine compartment of the bus. “It’s just a fan belt slipping”… About 30 seconds later, the bus driver was waving us off the bus… I don’t know what it was all about, but about 40 of us were escorted by foot to the next stop and were told to wait for the next bus. Well, that’s another first for us… Arriving in Marbella, we had a small street market going on at the plaza right in front of us. One of the stands was operated by the Tourist Information Office, so we got our faithful map and headed off for the “old town” first. “A” typical old town, buildings from the 14th to 15th century, narrow streets, lots of little stores and restaurants on the main floor, apartments above, and everything painted white. About 6 churches and more than a dozen “plaza’s” make up the rest of the area. There is a small portion of the old walls, but the castle is gone. There were a few people walking the streets and plaza areas, but overall it was pretty quiet. We found a table in the main square that had half sun and half shade and decided that it was lunch time. Nothing exciting, a chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches that did their thing in filling the tummy, but unfortunately that was about it. Then it was time to head for the new part of town…the “polished and glitzy”. This part of town runs from the main road that splits the town in half, down to the boardwalk and the marinas. The new part is also divided in half, the east side and the west side, and in between them is a beautiful green space, fountains, water feature that runs down the street about 200 yards, and about 20 bronze sculptures that are placed every 20 yards or so until you reach the boardwalk. All the shops, hotels, apartments, and condominiums are priced for those the “have”, but those that don’t can sure enjoy looking… The beach that runs for miles both ways is absolutely beautiful. The golden sand and the green/blue crystal clear water make you want to stop and enjoy immediately were you stand. One thing interesting, yesterday we walked down the beach from the campground (which is about 75 yards from our van) and we came upon a sailboat that had washed up on the beach. Unfortunately it is now a total loss to someone, but this afternoon, while walking the boardwalk here in Marbella, we came upon another sailboat. This one had run aground on the breakwater in front of the town…complete write-off… It would be interesting to know the story behind both of them. Last time we came upon a sailboat beached, was 2 years ago in Cabo San Lucas…it seems like just yesterday. About 5, we caught the bus back to “Bumble Bee”, and got ready to make dinner…one of my favorites, spaghetti. A note of interest (our at least it was to us…), we met one of our neighbors, and they have quite a story to tell…they have shipped their motor home to the states twice, and traveled extensively in the US, Canada, and Mexico for over 2 years total. They even drove the highway to Alaska one year. The favorite place that they visited was a little village area just north of Puerto Viagra….(just checking to see who’s reading this…) They are from Switzerland, and have also visited each and every country that we have been in…now that is vagabonding !