Blogs from Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain, Europe - page 5

Being a traveller can have its downsides sometimes. It takes moments like seeing a friend’s event on facebook, or photos from a night out you could have been at to realise it. And then there’s skyping your mum, aunt and sister one Saturday afternoon and thinking how much you miss being able to see them face to face and being part of the family birthday celebration meals. It’s these moments you miss and sacrifice as a fidgety, adventurous and care-free traveller. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t swap our new lives for anything, and I also know when I’m back home I am bored within a matter of days. But there are still days when I’d love nothing more than to have a night out with my longest standing and bestest mates and just be myself, ... read more

Well, I wanted hot and I have hot. We have had a few days here now and it has been so hot it has taken a bit of getting used to. Swimming in the pool or the sea every day and I certainly enjoy my last swim for the day in the pool as it starts to cool down. We are very lucky to be able to come down here with Chris and Hege and enjoy Rune and Lillens apartment. We have been here a number of times over the years and find that it is magic. Either eating at home on the roof top terrace or eating in the various restaurants is always good and the beach is fantastic. We have taken in the zoo, Rio Safari Elche, were we have been before. the kids ... read more

After a scenic 5 hour train ride from Barcelona along the southern coast of Spain, we arrived in Alicante located on what's know as the White Coast (Costa Blanco) where our seaside condo rental awaited us. The very spacious 3 bedroom 2 bathroom living space was accented by a fantastic partially covered patio overlooking the Mediterranean. The Ingrahams and the Skinners settled into our new space as did Barb and I. This whole area of Spain is lined with thousands of condos and apartments, many which serve as vacation rentals. Again, being just ahead of the tourist season the crowds were minimal and each and every day we awoke to spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Jeff particularly enjoyed "bird watching", another term for enjoying the views of the nude beaches from our balcony :) Alicante is ... read more

Many people have this wonderful image of Spain that it is all sun, sea and sangria; everyone is happy, the sun is always shining and there’s nothing better to do than relax with a cold beer in hand… Of course that’s true if you are on a nice two week break on the coast in the height of summer, but as an ex-pat living and working here all year round, the reality is slightly different. I thought I would write this post from an honest perspective, as it’s easy for foreigners living abroad to paint this amazing picture of how their life is full of the above stereotypes every day, and it encourages others to head in search of this dream only to be disappointed when it isn’t exactly as it seems. I know that sounds ... read more

“Are you an ex-pat? On minimum wage and a temporary part-time contract? Thinking of renting a flat in Alicante? Well contact us now: Rejectionville estate agents, serving none of your needs all of the time” We excitedly started hunting for flats in Alicante as soon as we receive our first contract in Spain, not worrying too much about the fact it states we are only on a 6 week trial and legally were only working 5 hours a week each. Right now we are focused on the task in hand and arranging viewings for flats in the sought after area of Cabo Huertas and Playa de San Juan at the north end of the city. We decided to focus our searches there as we are already working in that area and so knew it ... read more