Benidorm Part 2...The End!

As promised I've now found the time to write up the latter part of the Hen Party Trip to Benidorm!....so here goes.....

Sat 11th April..

This morning John & I decided to take the long hike up through the hills to the illuminated cross that stands overlooking Benidorm bay...

Although the weather wasn't brilliant I wish I'd left my jacket behind once I got started! There were a few spits of rain, but they didn't last long..

As you meander up the long quite steep and winding road (sounds like a song!?) you do get some quite spectacular views..

Shame the sun wasn't shining but you get the picture...

Once at the top you are treated to lovely panoramic views..

I will confess to being a little disappointed as it was quite 'grubby' up there..a bit of graffiti and people had just thrown rubbish down on the floor, why can't people take it with them??!!!.. Baffles me...

Anyway I took a photo looking back as we headed back down, and that way I couldn't see either the graffiti or the rubbish!

I read in the paper later that they had just run a campaign of cleaning up the area plus painting over all the graffiti and removing banners/photos etc, so it must be difficult to keep the area spotless as so many people make the journey up there...

We received a text message to tell us that the bride to be was in a bar all dressed up as 'Madge' from the TV series Benidorm...complete with mobility scooter!..

The girls had done a great job dressing her up complete with fake tan!!

On the evening we had arranged to meet in the centre of Benidorm for drinks etc and this time they had dressed Ella in a full wedding dress!

After we went to quite a few bars/clubs along the infamous Calle Girona..

We left the Hen Party at just gone 1pm to carry on the night along clubland!!

Sun 12th April

This morning we promised ourselves a return trip to the Rastros at La Nucia & Polop..

They sell just about everything....and I mean everything!..we didn't find any bargains today but it was certainly fun browsing, plus the excercise was needed!..

 

We then headed back into Benidorm to the Sunday Market which is huge but full of the same items that I can buy at our local markets...so we didn't stay long..

That evening we were taking a long walk along the Levante beach to the Old Town end as the group wanted to have a quieter evening as they were heading home the next day.

We opted for a pizza/pasta restaurant which suited everyone..

As the girls were leaving early the next morning we waved them goodbye and wished them a safe journey home..we're glad we came and that they had such a great time!

Mon 13th April

Today we decided to try our hand at travelling on the Alsa buses. The Alsa buses are equivalent to our National Express and cover the whole of Spain.

As our hotel was literally built above the bus station it was easy to take the escalator down to the booking office and get our tickets to board..

We opted for Villajoyosa which is only approx 3kms outside of Benidorm and is famous for the manufacturing of Valor chocolate!!

As we got off the bus we just happened across this beautifully decorated authentic Valor chocolate shop. The front had all the individually made chocolates and at the rear was the cafe. Well we just had to sample some of their wares didn't we!!??

To say it was divine is an understatement...honestly in my humble opinion the hot chocolate was better than Cadburys...and I told the man so!!

We then went exploring. I had read up on the area and knew that there was an old historic end to the town where all the buildings are painted in pretty, pastel shades.

The day was quite windy but warm and the town is so pretty. We walked from one end to the Marina and back again. I must admit I was quite pleased and surprised to see a moving escalator that takes you up three levels from the bottom to the top of the town..The only other place I've seen anything like this out in the open was in Las Vegas!

After a few hours of sightseeing we boarded the bus back into Benidorm and found a lovely little Spanish bar and had a light lunch of sardines and a beer!

That evening we decided to look out for a Indian Curry restaurant and we spied one whilst we were on the bus..it was called The Curry Mile and it was spectacular....by far the best curry I have had in many a long time.

Tues 14th April

Today it was us that was heading home and as we checked out, behind the reception desk I spied two really old black and white photos..

I asked the receptionist if I could take closer look and she started to explain to me that the photos were of the very first tourist bus service that operated in Benidorm...the Year was 1958!! She also said that she still knew the owner of the bus and although quite old now, he was still alive! I really love seeing all the old photos of an area...

Heading back down the A7/E15 motorway we stopped for a quick coffee break and these beautiful bright, vivid pink succulent plants grabbed our attention...

Pretty aren't they???

Whilst we liked Benidorm......we LOVE Mojacar and we were soooo pleased to be back home!

Packing up now to head on back to the UK for the wedding on the 3rd May so I'm unsure when I'll be posting my next entry, but I'll try if/when I get any free Wifi connections!

Until then...xx

 

 

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