At the end of the world

A bit of a drive from Malaga and a bit too much to squeeze in a day trip. Where Spain and the Earth end, where the good ol' Mediterranean gives way to the open ocean, there lays Cadiz and its pueblos blancos of the frontier.

Narrow old streets, winter-sun kissed (if quite windy) ocean side promenade, hidden courtyard-like squares to have some tapas sitting in the (nevertheless) warm sun or in the shade of some orange tree. And impressive cathedral and bell tower.

For all these reasons, for all the photos which went inadvertently deleted, and for all the other things for which an afternoon was way too short. Sure enough, the Andalusian karma is confirmed in Cadiz: if you did not plan a longer trip, you ought to come back soon again.

A new beginning

Happy 2017 from the heart of Andalusia, hiking down and up the Ponte Nuevo in Ronda, capturing the beauty of the first sunset of the year against a combination of architecture and nature reminding of a different world.

Maybe a world of the future but with a bit of luck the future may start today.

End of the year and orange trees

Beautiful Sevilla and Granada done, Malaga is somewhat low key but still worth a visit, a hike to the Alcazaba and higher up to the Gibralfaro for some cool shots. 

Admittedly, landing in the British interpretation of Summer Paradise was not high on my bucket list, but life is defined also by circumstances. And circumstances brought the discovery that beyond all those golf courses and big resorts, Marbella has also a very cute traditional town at its heart, whose streets and squares make wandering (or sitting with a cervecita) a sweet end of the year.

Serendipity also brought a toast to the new year (and the fast swallowing of the traditional 12 grapes) with the owners, waiters and customers of a small restaurant in central Malaga, devoted to excellent and reinterpreted tapas and medias.

Even in Costa del Sol, something left behind: can you taste the colourful fruits hanging from those ubiquitous decorative orange trees?