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Published: August 2nd 2022
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This morning we’ve booked a tour to, well we don’t really know. We’d originally booked a tour to some Moorish Caves, but not enough people wanted to do that one, so they offered us something else instead. I’m now thinking maybe we should have asked a few more questions. Issy’s not feeling all that great so I head off on my own.
Our guide introduces himself as Amir and our bus heads north along the coast and then inland along a windy road to the village of Montanejos. We’re apparently here to visit some hot springs, which we’re told are the local version of the fountain of youth. I think “hot” might be overstating the case just a tad; I think it was warmer in the sea a couple of days ago, but it’s extremely pleasant nonetheless. The river we’re bathing in flows through a spectacular sheer sided gorge just upstream of where we’re camped.
Our party includes seven Brits - two couples and three of their teenage children. The two men, in particular, don’t look like they’ve been holding back on the beer and Yorkshire pudding in recent years. All seven strip off and lie in the blazing
sun, and are now well on their way to severe cases of sunburn. The adults then give up on that idea and adjourn to the terrace overlooking the river for a few mid morning beers. Amir asks them for their lunch orders. I’ve seen the menu; it’s mostly delicious local delicacies - tapas, paella, local seafood, the whole delectable shooting match. But what do the Brits order; well that would be two servings of steak and chips, and five pizzas. Hmmmm. Not too much chance of getting out of the comfort zone here it seems. Amir gathers us together to leave to go back to the bus. “Just follow me“ he says, but the Brits have already taken off… and it seems they’ve opted for the long route. The rest of us have been sitting in the bus roasting for about twenty minutes by the time they finally appear, and Amir’s now got smoke pouring out of his ears.
Next stop is the outlet from the massive 109 metre high Arenos Dam on the Mijares River a few kilometres upstream of the springs. The outlet is a large tunnel that’s been drilled through the rock, and water’s gushing out
horizontally like there’s no tomorrow. It’s absolutely spectacular. One of the Brit men can’t help himself. While the rest of us are taking up more sensible positions to get our photos, he’s decided to stand right in front of the torrent on the opposite bank of the river. He’s now completely soaked. Even his daughter says she now wants to leave him behind.
We enjoy a very pleasant lunch at a restaurant high on the hill overlooking the gorge, well most of us enjoy it…I can’t vouch for how the Brits went with their steak, chips and pizzas; I’m sure they’re telling anyone who’ll listen that it’s not as good as you can get back in London. One of men asks me which part of Australia I’m from. He says he came to Melbourne once to watch the cricket….. and to drink and go to the casino.…..
Final stop for the day is El Salto de la Novia (Jump of the Bride) waterfall near the village of Navajos. This is a spectacular sixty metre vertical cascade from the rim of the canyon down into the river below. The Brits are at it again, trying to get themselves over
slippery rocks so they can stand directly under the torrent. I suppose it’s possible a couple of them might survive the day….
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Surprise in Valencia
It looks like a good time was had even though you didn't ask questions.