May 9, 2015

We slowly awake this morning already docked in Malaga, Spain. It is a very urban city on the other side of the Straight. The water around is us a beautiful aqua shade and smooth as glass after so many sea days in the Atlantic. We have beautiful weather today with perfectly blue skies. Having never been here before we had decided to take the Hop on Hop off bus again so we could get the lay of the land. Having enjoyed that in Lisbon it seems the perfect plan. Turns out we called this one the Horrible Hop on Hop off bus! First we had no information online about its stops so we did not know it was within walking distance of the port and thus spent $5 each on shuttle passes. Then when we boarded there was a great deal of confusion and choas on the 19Euro and the 25 Euro packages. We wanted the castle and were told we needed the 25 Euro package - turns out we did not- the castle is on the main line. And while the Pacaso home and museum would have been awesome from the more expensive package we did not have the time or energy to make them. Wasted $100 Euros today- only good news is it would have been $200 wasted on ship city tour package! Turns out the city is completely doable without a bus. The castle would have required a short cab ride up but that’s it. The crowded Ho Ho bus had a terrible narrative with little information. We learned they “reclaimed” the front part of the city from the Sea in the late 18th century and we saw an unfinished Cathedral that was unfinished because Spain had leant America money for the American Revolution.  Other than this and the Castle the only thing we saw was the “bull ring” totally behind the trees!! Making the best of it we enjoy the Castle walls which gave amazing views of the city. We then proceeded to walk down the cobblestone path down the mountain to avoid another Ho Ho bus ride. The walk while strenuous and steep was beautiful and cool, with amazing views- including the Bull ring- and incredible gardens with blooming fragrant flowers to enjoy. After decent we split into two groups- Debbie and Becky wanting to enjoy a bite to eat and a drink, and Lilly and Tina, ready to continue to explore and hope to find something else of value in the city. Debbie and Becky go to the water front where the locals were everywhere enjoying a Saturday afternoon. After Crochets tapas (fried balls of mashed potatoes with chicken and ham-very good), Patapas  with three sauces (french fries with mustard, mayonnaise, and sour cream), Malaga wine for Becky (sweet port like), Coca Cola light, and for Becky a free glass of champagne we head back to the ship and Persian Gardens for a nap.  Meanwhile Lilly and Tina run into one of Tinas friends Jason- they walk the beach and have a glass of wine and try to discover more in the city. 

View from the Castle

Bull ring view from hike

View of garden from the hike- Rose garden

 Time to dress for dinner came too quickly as it was formal night. Carole our tablemate provided champagne for all and we again had a great time. Dinner tonight was the best with Lobster, Rack of Lamb, Beef Wellington, Orange Duck- awesome. After dinner Tina and Becky went to meet their new friends, Tina especially interested in Jason only one of two single young men on board! Jason also seems interested in Tina- Canada is a long way away.  Debbie heads to the casino to loose again and Lilly enjoys some movies. Tomorrow another new port- hoping for better things!

View of gardens

Lunch