2 Go Costa del Sol

From Madrid we picked up a rental car--a 7 passenger Chrysler Voyager--and made the journey south the the Costa del Sol, or Coast of the Sun. Courtesy of our parents, we would be spending a week at the posh Marriot Marbella Resort just outside the coastal resort of Marbella. Our 2 bedroom condominium with an ocean view was luxurious and a much welcomed change from some of our hostals. And the drive itself--roughly 6 hours--from Madrid to Marbella was also beautiful, as we traveled through the arid heart of Spain, before coming upon miles upon miles of rolling hills, all dotted with thousands and thousands of olive trees.

The prime attraction at the resort was, of course, was the beach. The weather generally cooperated, as the sun shone brightly just about every day. It was, at times, windy though, but no matter--we enjoyed it just the same.

No beach trip would be complete without a bit of paddleball.

Here we enjoy a walk along the beautiful beach.

This is one of the pools we enjoyed relaxing around, and swimming in.

One of the daytrips we took from Marbella was to the town of Ronda, high in the mountains. Home of the first bullring, and one of the most revered matador families--the Romeros--Ronda is spectacularly situated as it straddles an enormous gorge.

Here we all hide behind one of the wooden blinds that are used extensively by the fleeing matador's assistants during each bull fight.

The spectacular, and deep, gorge upon which Ronda sits. This view is from the old bridge, which straddles the gorge and separates the old from the new parts of Ronda. Interestingly, among the fans of Ronda were Ernest Hemingway and Orson Wells. Indeed, the ashes of "Citizen Kane" were buried on a bull farm just outside Ronda.

Another trip was to the Andalucian "white" village of Mijas. High in the mountains, it is home to a wonderful vista of the villages and Mediterranean Sea below. Also being a tourist destination as well, it is home to countless shops, many of which were frequented by Mrs. Willis.

Continue with us in the Costa del Sol

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