GK Tours. Days 43 to 45
Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Mojacar to Nerja, Frigiliana and Malaga Xmas lights
Our next stop was Nerja, about 2 hours along the coast from Mojacar and our satnav took us up onto the AP7 main motorway. The road was very busy with hgv’s and cars as we headed up into the hills.
We passed a few big populated areas on the coast visible from the motorway but what struck us the most was the amount of polytunnel like structures as we passed through Almeria… acres of it and an eyesore.
Finally, leaving that all behind we came off of the motorway and down into Nerja. Our campsite is just on the edge of town, opposite the beach and called Camping Cortijo San Miguel (Nerja) – Aula De Naturaleza. It’s fab and very bohemian with advocado trees dotted about.
When we arrived it was very windy – something we had to deal with on the motorway, especially when exiting the numerous tunnels and crossing the viaducts.
Jane and I took the dogs to the beach for a quick stroll and we could hardly stand up! 
The wind was so strong we couldn’t hear each other speak 
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Tuesday, Jane’s Birthday.
Last night we had a discussion about where to visit in this area and came up with a plan.
So all aboard for another GK Tours extravaganza . First we popped up into a lovely little hill village called Frigiliana, only about 20mins drive away.
Frigiliana is a lovely little white village, very hilly so if you need to, you can either take the wally train or a’tuk tuk’ (golf cart) ride to see the sights.
Such a pretty little place, most of the narrow roads and walkways have pebble mosaics, and a lot of the properties have tiles or flower pots outside on the walls.
This time of year there is an abundance of Father Christmas planters made from flowerpots. They are all adorned with ruby red poinsettias 
beautiful.
We walked up to the top of the village to see the amazing view to the sea, a little out of breath but not too bad . Many of the properties had a ‘casa rural’ sign outside which we think means it’s a holiday rental. A lovely spot for a trip but I think a week maybe too long.
You have a great choice of bars and restaurants, most with a terrace view over the village. We stopped for drinks at a cafe halfway up, just off the centre of town where the birthday girl had churros and chocolate , before heading back to the van.
Our next stop was Nerja.
Walking down through the shopping streets we were serenaded by a lady with a violin. Arriving at The Balcon De Europa, a lovely scenic point with views out to sea and along the coast. While we were there a busker was playing classic Spanish music, just lovely 
. It was busy considering it’s winter.
The walkway was very festive with gorgeous metal figurines waiting for night to fall so that they can gleam and shine in all their glory.
Andrew and Jane had been here before so while we took it all in Andrew found a barber for his Christmas haircut .
After a little stop for a bite to eat we headed back to the GK Tours van and drove on to our final stop for the day – Málaga Christmas Lights Show.
We arrived at about 4.30pm. there aren’t many places to park a van in Malaga so we opted for a Park4Night suggestion at the foot of the castle Gibralfaro. We were preparing to walk the 25 mins downhill to the town centre when we spotted some tuktuks. Andrew sweet talked the driver into taking us and the dogs . He also said we could call them when we wanted to come back 
.
Once we were on the road we all wished we had taken our winter coats with us as it was freezing in the golf cart with no wind protection at the sides . Not to worry, as soon as we got down to the main town it warmed a little.
Málaga is massive, we have decided it needs a few days at least, so this visit was just to see the Xmas light show.
It comes on for about 10 mins 3 times a day. We had planned for the 6.30pm showing and while we waited, Gareth and Andrew went for a drink while Jane and I shopped. The main shopping street – Calle Marques de Larios – is very plush with a lot of big named shops for your perusal .
The decorations are amazing, even before the night grows dark and the lights come on. As the sun dips, colours are reflected in the shapes hanging above you. It’s magical.
The street started to fill and we found ourselves in amongst it all, everyone taking selfies and waiting patiently to be entertained.
And I have to say it was ten minutes or so of loveliness. Christmas music accompanied the dancing lights and the crowd joined in , what a wonderful experience.
Well done Málaga for making the effort, it’s obviously worth it, especially if it pulls the crowds like that 3 times a day for the duration of the festive period.
When it was over we made our way to the taxi rank. This took us past the Cathedral, another beautiful building, which was preparing for a different light show apparently, as crowds were once again gathered and waiting.
While we waited for a taxi back to the van we watched as the cathedrals tower changed colours and showed snow from a projector. Sadly the commentary was in Spanish so we don’t know what the story was.
A kind young taxi driver agreed to take us and the dogs back up to the van. It was quite a journey for which he charged us €10! No way, we made him take €20.
It was very strange being out out in the van , we just hoped that we got back to camp before the gate was locked , not a problem as we arrived in good time.
Jane had a lovely birthday and we had had a fab whistlestop tour in the van, which is exactly why we wanted it .
Wednesday.
After a long day yesterday, we all had a late start, decided to stay at this bohemian campsite for one more night, and took a walk along the beach into Nerja.
Andrew and Jane went to meet some friends who lived nearby and Gareth and I had paella on the beach with a very happy, but sandy, dog in tow.
Today was supposed to be the warmest so far at 24°, though you wouldn’t think it as we all still had our jumpers on . What a load of wooses! 
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