The Spanish Trilogy, Benalmadena December 2018. Day 3, Malaga lights and sound show.

roxie2001 · 26 Dec 18, 04:09 PM

Monday 17th December

We both woke about 9, the bed was so comfy and the curtains kept the room dark.
We got dressed and went for breakfast.
I had my usual, plus some veg. Not a combination i would put together myself but it’s was surprisingly ok.

Followed by crepes made fresh on the grill.

We had planned to visit Malaga later to see the lights and sound show so no marathon walks planned this morning.
Matt wanted to find Bonanza square so we got google maps up and walked there. It was only 5 minutes away and we turned left out of the hotel instead of right to the seafront.
Now, Benalmadena is very hilly in parts and the hotel is situated on quite a steep hill known as cardiac hill on trip advisor. We knew this before we booked and didn’t have a problem but I can see how people would struggle with it.
Anyway, Bonanza square also known as 24 hour square was quiet but I’m sure it’s buzzing in the summer.

We were looking for the bus stop but couldn’t see anything so went to the seafront and found the tourist information. They were very helpful and we got the timetable for the Malaga and Marbella buses plus where the lights were being shown. We then went to book a tour to Gibraltar but we mixed the days up and missed the speedy tour that left at 9.20 which took the motorway. We didn’t really fancy at 7.50 start and longer journey on the other tours available so we left it. Something to do next time.

We went back to the hotel to enjoy the sun and sangria. Then about 2.30 we went for lunch.
Paella and pasta for me, both good but the rib was too fatty.

We got changed and caught the 4pm bus. The stop was close to the hotel and we didn’t wait long.
It took about 55 minutes to get there and only cost €1.70 each way, bargain.
We got off at the last stop, which was the bus station but it was more like a row of stops rather than a station. It’s very central.
It was still light so we had a look about.

Matt is terrible of taking photos, he never gets the background in!

We walked along some market stalls.

Then just pottered about

It looked you could easily spend a day there plus had a good shopping centre.
The first showing of the show was 6.30 and we had a little time so stopped for a drink at a bar called the Sherlock Holmes. It was well themed inside.

I had a mojito, it was the nicest one I’ve tasted as it was mixed with coke and matt had a beer which came to €9.
We found the square we needed to be which was busy but not rammed.

Then the show started, it was brilliant and all for free. It was only 3 songs but well worth going if you are ever there in December.
Again my photos don’t do it justice and I don’t think I can upload videos.

Instagram photo

As soon as it was finished we rushed to the bus stop, just taking a quick selfie near the lit up tree on the way back.

The bus stop was getting busy, we were a few of the first ones there so we queued, but then others started queuing the other side and it was a mad free for all to get on.

The Spanish guy next to me was shouting at everyone trying to push in. Luckily Matt is tall and we shoved in but it was a little stressful, not like here, nice and sensible.
It was another hours drive back and as we arrived in time for dinner we went down to the restaurant.

Then back to the bar. The entertainment staff really try hard at the hotel with free quizzes and shows followed by a disco or karaoke. Tonight was karaoke, and when I’ve had a few drinks I do like to sing! I’m not very good, but I just dance about. I got the book but my favourite songs were not in there so I went for penny arcade. It wasn’t very busy now and lots of other people were singing so I was fine. I do have a stage name, Sapphire Sparkle!
I couldn’t take the microphone off the stand but it was fun singing on a big stage.
All inclusive here ends at midnight, we are used to it finishing at 11 and I didn’t think it would make much difference but it was nice having a late drink. We went up about 12.30.

Melbatb · 26 Dec 18, 08:17 PM

The light show looks fabulous! Well worth the bus trip!

You are certainly getting your money’s worth on the food and drink at the hotel!

DisneyDaffodil · 26 Dec 18, 08:38 PM

The light show looks beautiful, well worth visiting. Malaga looked pretty too, we have never been to that part of Spain, but I’m interested now 😀. We have found that Spanish bus stops don’t seem to have a queuing system either but have never had huge crowds getting on so not had the problems with pushing that you had. I always panic catching public buses in case I miss our stop 😒

roxie2001 · 27 Dec 18, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Melbatb

The light show looks fabulous! Well worth the bus trip!

You are certainly getting your money’s worth on the food and drink at the hotel!

It was lovely, I wish I could post a video as well.

We like to go out and explore but do prefer all inclusive, it’s worth it for us, just for the drinks.

roxie2001 · 27 Dec 18, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

The light show looks beautiful, well worth visiting. Malaga looked pretty too, we have never been to that part of Spain, but I’m interested now 😀. We have found that Spanish bus stops don’t seem to have a queuing system either but have never had huge crowds getting on so not had the problems with pushing that you had. I always panic catching public buses in case I miss our stop 😒

We have never been but plan to return. So much to do there and plenty of excursions with different company’s. We never hire a car, can’t drive very well over here so wouldn’t tempt it there, plus we like a drink but if you did plenty lots of pretty places to explore there.
I know Spanish people don’t like to queue, but that was just mad on the way back. Matt gets his bearings pretty quicky so I just follow him.