Blogs from Spain, Europe - page 1411

The concept of a shot bar is really brilliant. A small venue, merely a room, with cheap shots up for grabs by the audience. The list of available drinks is displayed over the bar. This particular "chupito bar" is named Punto y Coma and is strategically located at the center of Malaga. It attracts the better part of the international student crowd. Despite the crowded atmosphere in the narrow alley, it's a good choice for complementing the buzz from the pre-party, before going to the nightclub of choice. The shot list at "Punto" is rather impressive; very extensive and with names and drink combinations certainly inviting for a try. Everything from simple vodka shots to complex absinthe mixes. After knowing the cool bartenders - the beautiful Eva and slightly gay Manolo (or something) - shots "off ... read more

Traveling by boat is one of my favorite ways of travel. Don’t know exactly why, but I have always found the big blue fascinating. The ferry ride between Tarifa, Spain and Tangier, Morocco is trafficking a route where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Makes the ride a bit rocky, when two large oceans come together in one strait, fighting for space when the Mediterranean wants out and the Atlantic wants in. The rocky kind of ride that cause a large proportion of the passengers to feel very sick, completely unable to enjoy the ride to any extent, only wishing to set their feet on dry land. Seasickness however does not become me, it takes more than a wave - even if the waves in this case are rather big and frequent - to throw ... read more

It’s Happy Day in Seville. More on initiative of our group of four than of the calendar. But it’s Happy Day, no sad faces are allowed. The Scandinavian girls in the corner of the Irish pub are surprised when they get their drinks. ”Why?” they ask. ”Because it’s Happy Day”. The US Air Force pilots explain in detail what it’s like being a pilot. ”Just like Top Gun” we nod enthusiastically. ”Yes, like Top Gun” they say, equally enthusiastically. Maybe we shouldn’t make fun of them. After all, they have big, scary fighter planes. We have a small rental car. But for us it’s just Happy Day. Tomorrow is Big Sightseeing Day…... read more

The port of Barcelona is massive. One of the largest in the Mediterranean, if not the largest. So, logically, many of the grandest and greatest buildings are located around it. As a gate to the city, at the end of Las Ramblas, Christopher Columbus on his column is bridging the port with the rest of the city. MareMagnum fills the gap between the bustling streets and the water. The complex contains a huge aquarium, and a very good one at it. It also hosts a large shopping center. Arcade hall, shops, restaurants, the works. And, on top of it all a big terrace. A miniature golf court in the middle, with nightclubs and bars lining up around it. Something for everyone. A port does not only have to be a dock for ships, sleezy bars and ... read more

On the top of the mountains surrounding Malaga there's a nice restaurant with a wonderful view over the city and the sea. What would then be the optimal way to reach this restaurant? Helicopter would be one option. Fast, easy, but quite expensive. Car is another very rational alternative, since there are actual roads leading there. For the sportsman a climb or a trek would be good exercise. For us - Tim, Lisa, Miguel, Nico, and me - the mean of transport is - horse. Horses are very useful animals in many fields, but for climbing a mountain...? At the foot of the mountain there's a little farm where the horses live. The animals are in size quite impressive, but don't really live up to the movie ideals of Shadowfax, Black Beauty, or Jolly Jumper...Besides, our ... read more