Stayed at the Plazamar Apartments, fantastic location, right on the beach. Would certainly recommend them, spotlessly clean studio's, a decent size too. Caught the train from the airport, 13 minutes to Torre and then a short walk. Weather was beautiful for the whole of the five days, clear blue skies and sunshine
.Did plenty of walking, walked into Fuerengirola (stopping at little beach bars on the way for liquid refreshments!), and caught the train back! Also walked up to Arroya, tried to pluck up courage to go on the cable cars, but couldn't do it, so had lunch at one of the bars instead! From there, walked down to Paloma Park and had a steady stroll around there, I absolutely love this park, well worth a visit for anyone who hasn't been. Then back to Cariehuela for a relaxing hour on the beach. Also came across another park (can't remember the name) up near Montemar station. Beautiful gardens and a boating lake too, plus a lovely play area for children. Was told by a couple who we got chatting to in a bar that you could walk into Malaga along the prom, so we also attempted this. Walked through Torre along the prom but comes to an end, so there onwards its along the beach. Unknown to us at the time, we didn't realise that part of this beach was used byNaturists!!! I didn't know where to look - thank heavens for the flight path above us
Anyway, carried on along the beach, then onto another beach and at last we could see Malaga in the distance! Unfortunately though, as we got to the end of the beach, we were met with an estruay with no way at all of getting over! Ended up walking back through a lovely nature reserve with some beautiful plants, and birds etc, then back aong the beaches to Carihuela.
Had some lovely meals out. Had lunch a couple of times at the Dark Side of the Moon, still lovely meals and friendly staff there, set in a lovely location too. They also made us baguettes to take to the airport for our flight back. Wasn't going to get ripped off with airport prices as we did last year! Also ate at the Italian in the Marina, Da Fano. Lovely meal and very reasonably priced and again, lovely staff. Ate at the Fountain Inn in Arroya, two meals, two large beers and two (large) glasses of red wine - 18 Euro's. Beautiful little bar set in a lovely square with a few trees scattered around should you want some shade.
Spent our last day relaxing on the beach (sulking obviously!), back to the apartment for a quick shower and then came across a lovely bar which we had not come across before called Cheers and watched the England match! We shall definitely return there for a few drinks when we return (hopefully next year). Then train back to the airport where we were delayed as some idiot on the flight in had decided to have a cigarette in the toilet and the passengers couldn't disembark until the Police had entered the aircraft to arrest him. My only gripe this time with Ryanair, is the amount of passengers who take 'small' cases onboard (which I know is allowed, but the majority we saw were a lot larger than what the stated measurements are) and therefore had problems getting hand lugage in. In fact, they asked some people to take their hand luggage down and put infront of their seats to fit the cases in. Good job they didn't ask me to move mine!!!!
We found the resorts to be a lot busier than last year, maybe down to the World Cup? Also found it to be slightly cheaper too. Absolutely love Carihuela and will keep returning for as long as possible.
Thanks again to everyone on HT for all of their help and recommendations.
Off to Benidorm with the family a week on Wednesday, hope we enjoy it as much as this break. Happy holidays to anyone going in the near future.
Besr Regards
Elaine
