Advertisement
Dear Bo & Dud,
What a surprise the Costa Blanca has been to us - a few days in Benidorm has turned into a couple of weeks, which in turn, is probably going to become a month! Our situation is glorious - we are almost in a basin, surrounded by the glorious Serra de Aitana. The camp site is much bigger than our usual choice, the facilities are superb and the parcela is hedge marked, huge and fully serviced. There are two pools (cool water) and I can usually find some time during the day when I can swim alone - Bliss! The Llevante beach and the beginning of the metropolis is about 1½ miles away.
Many of the people on this camp site live here; as static caravans are not allowed everyone starts off in a touring caravan, and then come the beautiful awnings, paved floors and conservatory like structures. These contain, sink units, washing machines, some have flush toilets; then there are lounge areas with 3 piece suites, book cases and TV’s - they really do have to be seen to be believed.
We were advised to ‘take Benidorm for what it is’ - good advice. It’s
35 years since I was last here and from the windows of the Hotel Rialto in 1973 the view was predominantly orange groves and live stock. Unbelievably, the Hotel is still there but the view has changed somewhat - Hotels, Hotels and more Hotels. I wouldn’t want to give you the impression that it’s ugly or unpleasant; when we took our first stroll into town Howard described it as like walking into Universal Studio’s. Likewise everything else about Benidorm - the people, shops, bars and restaurants are all to attract the English holidaymaker. However, the beach and paseo would put anything in England to shame - it’s so clean and well maintained. There are playground areas for children, affordable sun beds, supervised bathing, draft beer and egg & chips. We’ve only been into the town on a couple of occasions, it’s not for us, but I don’t think Benidorm should get such a bad press based on the behaviour of a minority of people.
We’ve also met up with Jackie and Robert who were at Torre del Mar. Captain Jac soon got us organised, a Thursday night quiz and outings to restaurants and the Benidorm Palace were arranged. The
By the sea side.
A surprising number of Spanish people on this section of beach - they like Benidorm, so do the Germans, Dutch & of course the Brits. Benidorm Palace is a cabaret club based on the Talk of the Town in London; the 5 course meal was superb and the entertainment first class. We saw ‘variety’ entertainment, trampoline, juggling, balancing and the most magnificent dancers I’ve ever seen; young men and women performing flamenco, ballet, Irish dance and so much more - an excellent night out.
In contrast to this we also spent an evening with the Alfaz Theatre Group at the Retiretes Country Club watching a performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s “Flat Spin”. The play is an entertaining comedy and is set in a Dockland’s flat. With only 8 people in the cast, they had to work very hard throughout the two acts. One of our neighbours on site took the lead female role, Shelagh Shepherd was on stage all evening and she never faulted once in her performance. She told me that learning the script was difficult; she actually made it look very natural. Another brilliant evening out.
Just around the headland from the camp site is the town of Albir - this is a lovely sea side resort with a couple of large hotels, a variety of small shops and restaurants and an
Playa Poinente
This beach is to the west side of the old town of Benidorm. excellent walk along the sea front to Altea another lovely Spanish resort. If only there was a suitable camp site in this area it would be a perfect place to overwinter.
We had an outing to Villajoyosa which is a few miles to the south of Benidorm; when I last visited here it was a sea side village. Fortunately, the town has grown up behind the sea front and the old quarter and fishermen’s houses remain unspoilt. Each one is painted a different colour so that when out at sea the men could identify their home. There is also the famous Valor chocolate factory here which provides Harrods - we managed to avoid this, watching the waist line and all that - well, watching it get bigger anyway!
Love & Hugs & Kisses
H & H x
Photographs of "Flat Spin" by the Alfaz Theatre Group, Courtesy of Peter & Shelagh Shepherd.
Copyright Peter Shepherd
Advertisement
Tot: 0.118s; Tpl: 0.017s; cc: 12; qc: 28; dbt: 0.0738s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb